White Rose of York - Definition and Overview

The White Rose of York (Rosa alba) is the symbol of the House of York and latterly of Yorkshire.

The origins of the emblem are somewhat obscure, but it is said to have first been adopted by Edmund of Langley, the first Duke of York, in the 14th century. It represents the Virgin Mary, who was often called the "Mystical Rose of Heaven" (white being a symbol of purity).

During the civil wars of the 15th century, the White Rose was the symbol of Yorkist partisans opposed to the rival House of Lancaster, whose symbol was the Red Rose of Lancaster. The opposition of the two roses gave the wars their name: the Wars of the Roses. The conflict was ended by King Henry VII of England, who symbolically united the White and Red Roses to create the Tudor Rose, symbol of the Tudor dynasty.