The Tudor Rose

The Tudor Rose is one of the most famous English symbols, from one of England's most famous dynasties. The Rose symbolizes the union between the House of Lancaster (Red Rose) and the House of York (White Rose), with the two roses forming the Tudor Rose. The Tudors ascended to the English throne after Henry VII, from the House of Tudor (a Lancastrian descendant and supporter), defeated Richard III of York at the Battle of Bosworth Field, ending the War of the Roses.

The War of the Roses was a struggle for power between the House of Lancaster and York that lasted from 1455 until 1485 (or 1487 according to some historians). Both Houses were branches of the House of Plantagenet, which ruled England until 1399. The war received this name because of the roses each House used to represent them, but the name was only given much later in the 19th century. In fact, only the House of York used the rose as a symbol during the war, and even so it wasn't their most important emblem.

The House of York was founded by Edmund of Langley in 1385. He is believed to have chosen the white rose as one of its badges. The white color has a religious meaning, it represents the Virgin Mary (purity). And even though the white rose became a symbol of York, most nobles in Yorkshire supported their opponents, the Lancastrians. The House of Lancaster was created in 1267, when the Edmund Crouchback was made Earl of Lancaster by Henry III. The red rose is a representation of the Rosa gallica officinalis and was used as a royal badge. However, during the War of the Roses, this badge wasn't used until the end of the war in 1485.

When Henry Tudor became King Henry VII he united both Houses by marrying Elizabeth of York, and he merged the two roses, creating the Tudor rose that contains both the red and the white rose. The Tudor rose is one of England's most famous symbols and it's still used to this day as a royal symbol and for decorative purposes.