The term "House of York" refers to a prominent English noble family that played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars that took place in England during the 15th century. The House of York was one of the two main factions involved in the conflict, the other being the House of Lancaster.
The House of York derived its name from the fact that the family's main seat was located in the city of York. They were descendants of Edmund of Langley, the fourth son of King Edward III, thus making them a branch of the Plantagenet dynasty. The symbol associated with the House of York was a white rose, which stood in contrast to the House of Lancaster's red rose.
The House of York reached the height of its power during the reign of King Edward IV, who successfully overthrew the Lancastrian king, Henry VI, and established Yorkist rule in England. However, their rule was not without challenges, as they faced a series of conflicts and rivalries within the family, greatly exacerbating the already tense political climate in the country.
Ultimately, the House of York was defeated by the opposing faction, the House of Lancaster, when Henry Tudor, earl of Richmond, defeated Richard III, the last Yorkist king, at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. This marked the end of Yorkist rule and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty, with Henry VII taking the throne and marrying Elizabeth of York, uniting the two houses and symbolically ending the Wars of the Roses.
