The Plantagenet Dynasty was a significant ruling house in medieval England, which lasted from 1154 to 1485. Here's a detailed overview:
The dynasty began with Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou, who was known for his emblem, the Planta Genetica (a sprig of broom), from which the name "Plantagenet" is derived. His marriage to Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I of England, set the stage for their son, Henry II, to claim the English throne.
The dynasty effectively ended with the death of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. The victor, Henry Tudor, became King Henry VII, founding the Tudor Dynasty.
The Plantagenet kings shaped much of England's legal, administrative, and cultural landscape. Their reign saw the development of Parliament, the establishment of a more centralized government, and significant cultural achievements in art, literature, and architecture.