The House of Plantagenet was a royal house which originated in the lands of Anjou in France. The name Plantagenet comes from the nickname "Planta genista" (Latin for "broom plant"), which was the emblem of Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou, whose descendants became the Plantagenets. This dynasty ruled England from 1154 until 1485, through various branches and lines, significantly influencing the medieval history of England.
The first Plantagenet king was Henry II, who came to the throne in 1154 after the death of Stephen and the resolution of The Anarchy, a period of civil war in England. Henry II's reign marked the beginning of the Angevin Empire, which included England, large parts of Wales, the eastern half of Ireland, and extensive territories in France, including Normandy, Anjou, Touraine, and Aquitaine.
After the deposition of Richard II, the throne passed to Henry IV, starting the House of Lancaster. This branch of the Plantagenets ruled until 1461 when Edward IV from the House of York seized power, leading to the Wars of the Roses. This civil war was a struggle for the English throne between the Houses of Lancaster and York, both Plantagenet branches. The conflict ended in 1485 when Henry VII defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field, establishing the House of Tudor.
The Plantagenet kings significantly shaped English law, governance, and feudal systems. Their reign saw the development of common law, the establishment of parliament, and the signing of the Magna Carta, which became foundational to English constitutional law. Their extensive territorial ambitions also left a lasting impact on the relations between England and France.