The House of Lancaster was a cadet branch of the House of Plantagenet. Its origins can be traced back to the mid-13th century.
White Rose *House of York | Red Rose *House of Lancaster *Wars of the Roses
Henry IV was the first monarch from the House of Lancaster. His ascension to throne was troubled and these troubles would continue through the reign of successors.
Medieval King of England King Henry IV
Three monarchs directly descended from the House of Lancaster ruled over England successively.
The crown briefly passed over to the House of York before Henry Tudor emerged as a new champion of the Lancastrian cause. The tussle between the Houses of Lancaster and York also led to the Wars of the Roses.
Wars of the Roses
The House of Lancaster originated with the establishment of the Earldom of Lancaster in 1267. This Earldom was created following the Second Barons’ War.
Medieval King Edward I 2nd Barons War
King Henry III was able to defeat the barons and killed their leader Simon de Montfort. Montfort’s lands were consolidated as a part of the earldom and handed to Henry’s son Edmund Crouchback.
The final heir of this first House of Lancaster was Blanche of Lancaster.
King Henry III
John of Gaunt married Blanche and inherited the Lancastrian claims. With him originated the second House of Lancaster.
His son, Henry IV, overthrew King Richard II and had himself crowned as the king in 1399. This marked the beginning of the House of Lancaster’s rule in England.
John Gaunt King of England and cause of the peasant revolt
Henry IV ruled over England as the first Lancastrian monarch from 1399 to 1413. His reign was troubled and marred by repeated rebellions, assassination attempts, and conspiracy plots.
This was because Henry IV was not very popular with the masses. He had Richard II imprisoned who later died in the prison. This only added to Henry’s unpopularity.
The masses continued to believe in the myth that Richard was actually in hiding and not dead.
Notable rebellions against Henry came from Owain Glyndwr, a Welsh ruler, and Henry Percy, the most notable knight of the period. Henry’s son, Henry V, became the effective ruler in 1410 after Henry IV became very ill.
Henry Percy was named “Hotspur” by the Scots after he successfully launched rapid and fierce raids into Scottish border regions.
Henry V became the King of England and the second Lancastrian monarch following Henry IV’s death in 1413.
He is notable as a successful military commander and warrior king who was able to secure decisive victories against France in the Hundred Years’ War.
These included the English victory at the Battle of Agincourt which almost resulted in the conquest of the whole of France.
King Henry V
Following his victories, Henry V was able to conclude diplomatic treaties which confirmed him as heir apparent to the French throne.
However, he died before he could realize the union of the English and French crowns. His death came in 1422 when he died at the age of 35, probably due to dysentery.
Henry VI was the only son of Henry V. He was only a few months old when his father died. As he very too young, other regents reigned in his name.
He was crowned the King of England and also of France. However, by the time he was old enough to take the assume command, England’s claim to French throne had considerably weakened.
Medieval King of England King Henry VI
Henry VI proved a weak and ineffective ruler. During his reign, English territories in France continued to be lost until they were limited to a single possession, Calais.
Internally, England saw an increase in the power of the nobles who continued to fight each other. The King himself was influenced by his wife and other nobles who all vied to have control over him.
Tower of London
Henry VI was deposed in 1461 but was restored in 1470 only to be removed again in 1471.
His only son was killed the same year and he was imprisoned in the Tower of London where he subsequently died. His death brought an end to the reign of the House of Lancaster.