House of Lancaster

British Royalty
House of Lancaster

Henry IV
Children
   Prince Henry
   Prince John, Duke of Bedford
   Prince Thomas, Duke of Clarence
   Prince Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
Henry V
Children
   Prince Henry
Henry VI


The House of Lancaster is a dynasty of English kings. It was one of the opposing factions involved in the Wars of the Roses, an intermittent civil war which affected England and Wales during the 15th century. The House is named Lancaster, because its members were all descended from John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster; their symbol was a red rose.

The opponents of the House of Lancaster were the House of York. The rivalry between Lancaster and York, in the form of the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, has continued into the present day, on a more "friendly" basis.

The House of Tudor descends from the Lancasters by way of Margaret Beaufort, granddaughter of John of Gaunt, who married Edmund Tudor, earl of Richmond, and was the mother of Henry VII of England.

Kings of the House of Lancaster:

Image:Cobblestone mosaic lancaster rose.jpg
A cobblestone mosaic showing heraldic devices associated with the House of Lancaster
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