House of Lancaster - Definition and Overview

A cobblestone mosaic showing heraldic devices associated with the House of Lancaster

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:

• Henry IV of England, r.1399-1413
• Henry V of England, r.1413-1422
• Henry VI of England, r.1422-1461 and 1470-1471