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Lancaster Rose Emblem

Lancaster Rose Meaning

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The red rose of Lancaster was worn as a badge which identified someone as belonging to or supporting the House of Lancaster. By wearing the rose a person was displaying their loyalty and allegiance to the family. The emblem of the red rose was adopted during the middle ages and was readily accepted into the symbols of British heraldry.

The emblem was worn not only by the more powerful members of the family but it was also worn by their servants and retainers to show their loyalty to the House of Lancaster.

Lancanshire Rose image
Lancaster Rose flower

Why is the Lancaster Rose Red?

The House of Lancaster got its emblem – the red rose from the badge of Edward I of England which was a gold rose. It was adopted in the 14th century. Today it simply symbolises the Lancashire county.

Lancaster Rose flower Meaning

The emblem for the House of Lancaster was chosen by Edmund, the son of Henry III. The species of rose that Edmund chose was believed to be Rosa Gallica. It was then adopted by the subsequent earls of Lancaster. Although the roses became the symbols of the House of Lancaster and the House of York, neither Houses were believed to have displayed them as their emblem during the War.

The emblem signified loyalty and respect towards the respective Houses.

Lancanshire rose image
Lancanshire rose image

The Red Rose of Lancaster

The emblem of the red rose of Lancaster was sported by supporters of the House of Lancaster, a house which was in rivalry with the House of York, and an equally powerful house whose supporters wore the white rose of York. These families, two of the most powerful houses in England were both trying to lay claim to the English throne.

Both of these noble houses were descended from the Plantagenet House, with their descent being traced back to King Edward III. The family or House of Lancaster was so called as the descendants on that side were descended from the 1st Duke of Lancaster, John Gaunt, and as such adopted the red rose as their emblem.

Lancaster Rose Emblem

Henry Bolingbroke Starts the War of the Roses

The start of the bitter rivalry between the houses of Lancaster and York can be traced back to 1399. This is when Henry Bolingbroke, the then Duke of Lancaster overthrew his cousin King Richard II and claimed the throne. Over the following years three Lancastrian kings held the English throne, these were Henry Bolingbroke who became Henry IV (1399-1413)

He was the grandson of Edward III and the son of the 1st Duke of Lancaster John of Gaunt. He was followed by his son Henry V (1413-1422) who was in turn followed by his son Henry VI (1422-1461). The subsequent war of the roses lasted for decades and saw the deaths of many thousands of people.

The End of the War of the Roses

The War of the Roses was brought to an end with the death of King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Richard was the leader of the House of York and was slain on the battlefield by the forces of Henry Tudor, the leader of the Lancaster faction. Henry then claimed the throne for himself. Knowing that his claim on the throne was not as solid as it could have been, he made Elizabeth of York his wife.

Lancaster Rose Emblem

Their marriage not only brought the War of the Roses to an end but also united two of the most powerful noble houses in England. Henry was crowned King Henry VII and went on to found the Tudor dynasty whose emblem is that of the Tudor rose which features the union of the red and white roses of the two houses. Today there is still much rivalry between the counties of York and Lancaster, though the battles today take place in the field of sport.

More Info On- Tudor Rose Symbol, Medieval England Mary Rose Longbow, Facts About Mary Rose Ship in Tudor Times

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