House of Plantagenet

Arms of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence

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Blason ville fr Aumale (Seine-Maritime)

Coronet of the British Heir Apparent

Arms of Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster

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Arms of Coke, Earls of Leicester

Marquess of Salisbury COA

The House of Plantagenet was a royal house that originated from the lands of Anjou in France. The dynasty held the English throne from the accession of Henry II in 1154 to the death of Richard III in 1485, spanning over three centuries. The Plantagenets were a cadet branch of the House of Anjou, which itself was a branch of the House of Châteaudun.

Origins

The name "Plantagenet" is derived from the nickname of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, who was the father of Henry II. Geoffrey's nickname came from the Latin "planta genista," referring to the broom plant, which he used as an emblem.

Early Reign

The Plantagenet dynasty began with the reign of Henry II, who established a vast empire that included not only England but also large parts of France, including Normandy, Anjou, and Aquitaine. Henry II's marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine further expanded the Plantagenet territories.

The Angevin Empire

The term "Angevin Empire" refers to the collection of states ruled by the early Plantagenets. This empire was at its height under Henry II and his sons, Richard the Lionheart and John. However, much of this territory was lost during the reign of John, particularly after the Battle of Bouvines in 1214.

The Plantagenet Kings

The Plantagenet kings include some of the most famous monarchs in English history:

• Henry II (1154–1189)
• Richard I (1189–1199)
• John (1199–1216)
• Henry III (1216–1272)
• Edward I (1272–1307)
• Edward II (1307–1327)
• Edward III (1327–1377)
• Richard II (1377–1399)
• Henry IV (1399–1413)
• Henry V (1413–1422)
• Henry VI (1422–1461, 1470–1471)
• Edward IV (1461–1470, 1471–1483)
• Edward V (1483)
• Richard III (1483–1485)

The Wars of the Roses

The later period of the Plantagenet dynasty was marked by the Wars of the Roses, a series of dynastic conflicts between the rival branches of the House of Plantagenet: the House of Lancaster and the House of York. These wars ultimately led to the fall of the Plantagenet dynasty and the rise of the House of Tudor.

Legacy

The Plantagenet dynasty left a lasting legacy on English history, including the establishment of the Common Law system, the signing of the Magna Carta, and significant developments in the English language and culture.

Related Pages

• Henry II of England
• Richard I of England
• John of England
• Eleanor of Aquitaine
• Angevin Empire
• Wars of the Roses
• House of Lancaster
• House of York
• House of Tudor