Lancaster Rose

The English Royal House of Plantagenet broke into two contending factions in the 15th century which gave rise to the War of the Roses (1455-1485). The term came into popular usage during the 16th century from a fictional scene in Shakespeare's play Henry VI Part 1 where the opposing sides pick different-coloured roses at the Temple Church. The House of Lancaster adopted the red rose as their badge whereas that of York chose the white rose.