English dynasty descended from the counts of Anjou in France and rulers of England from 1154 to 1485, when the Tudor line began. The unusual name arose from the sprig of broom plant, Genista, that Geoffrey (1113–51), Count of Anjou, wore on the side of his cap. It was Geoffrey’s son Henry who became Henry II (ruled 1154–89) of England and established the Plantagenet dynasty, although it is customary to refer to the first three monarchs Henry II, Richard I (ruled 1189–99), and John (ruled 1199–1216), as Angevins (descendants of the House of Anjou). The line was unbroken until 1399 when Richard II was deposed and died without an heir. The throne was claimed by Henry Bolingbroke, Earl of Lancaster, Richard’s cousin and the son of John of Gaunt (Edward III’s third son). In becoming king as Henry IV he established the Lancastrian branch of the dynasty which was continued by Henry V (ruled 1413–22) and Henry VI (ruled 1422–61; 1470–71).

The second branch of the family, the House of York, claimed the throne through Anne Mortimer, the great-granddaughter of Lionel (Edward III’s second son), who had married the father of Richard, Duke of York. The Yorkist claim succeeded when Edward, Richard’s son, became Edward IV (1461–70; 1471–83) and was in turn followed by Edward V (ruled 1483) and Richard III (ruled 1483–85). In contending for the crown the Houses of Lancaster and York and their supporters resorted to civil war, known as the Wars of the Roses (1455–83), and to murder (of Henry VI, the Duke of Clarence, and Edward V). The Plantagenet line was ousted by Henry VII.