Armorial of the House of Plantagenet

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Enamel portrait of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou (1113/17-1151), formerly on his tomb in Le Mans Cathedral, Anjou, France, now in the Museum of Archeology and History in Le Mans. Visible on half his shield of azure are four lions rampant or, arranged in a manner reminiscent of the full-shield of six lions rampant (3,2,1) borne by his grandson William Longespee, 3rd Earl of Salisbury Geoffrey of Anjou Monument.jpg
Enamel portrait of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou (1113/17–1151), formerly on his tomb in Le Mans Cathedral, Anjou, France, now in the Museum of Archeology and History in Le Mans. Visible on half his shield of azure are four lions rampant or, arranged in a manner reminiscent of the full-shield of six lions rampant (3,2,1) borne by his grandson William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury

The House of Plantagenet was the first truly armigerous royal dynasty of England. Their predecessor, Henry I of England, had presented items decorated with a lion heraldic emblem to his son-in-law, Plantagenet founder Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, and his family experimented with different lion-bearing coats until these coalesced during the reign of his grandson, Richard I (1189–1199), into a coat of arms with three lions on a red field, formally Gules, three lions passant guardant or (armed and langued azure), that became the Royal Arms of England, and colloquially those of England itself. The various cadet branches descended from this family bore differenced versions of these arms, while later members of the House of Plantagenet would either quarter or impale these arms with others to reflect their political aspirations.

Contents

Overview of Plantagenet arms

Before Edward III

Arms of dynastic founder and kings
Arms of Geoffrey of Anjou.svg Royal Arms of England (1154-1189).svg Arms of William the Conqueror (1066-1087).svg Royal Arms of England (1198-1340).svg
Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou
William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, illegitimate son of King Henry II
Henry II of England (possible)
William FitzEmpress (possible)
Richard I of England (1189–1198) (likely)
Henry II of England (possible)
John, prior to becoming king
Richard FitzRoy, John's illegitimate son
Kings of England 1198–1340, 1360–1369
Arms of the sons of kings and their issue
Arms of Edward, Prince of Wales (1301-1307).svg Arms of Richard of Cornwall, Earl of Cornwall.svg Arms of Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster.svg Arms of Henry, 3rd Earl of Leicester and Lancaster.svg
Prince of Wales Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, son of King John Edmund Crouchback, 1st Earl of Lancaster, son of Henry III Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster, son of Edmund Crouchback (1322–1326)
(later inherited his father's arms)
Arms of Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk.svg Arms of Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent.svg Arms of John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall.svg
Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk, son of Edward I Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent, son of Edward I John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall, son of Edward II

After Edward III

Arms of Kings
Royal Arms of England (1340-1367).svg Royal Arms of England (1395-1399).svg Royal Arms of England (1399-1603).svg Royal Arms of England (1470-1471).svg
Kings of England 1340–1360, 1369–1395, 1399–1406 Richard II of England, 1395–1399Kings of England 1406–1422, 1461–1470, 1471–1485 Henry VI of England, 1422–1461, 1470–1471
Arms of the sons of Edward III
Arms of the Prince of Wales (Ancient).svg Arms of Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence.svg Arms of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster.svg Arms of Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York.svg Arms of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester.svg
Edward, the Black Prince Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester
Arms of the grandsons of Edward III
Arms of Richard of Bordeaux, Prince of Wales (later Richard II).svg Sons of John of Gaunt:
Red Rose Badge of Lancaster.svg
House of Lancaster

Sons of Edmund of Langley:
White Rose Badge of York.svg
House of York
Arms of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester.svg
Richard of Bordeaux,
son of the Black Prince, until 1376
Humphrey, 2nd Earl of Buckingham,
son of Thomas, Duke of Gloucester

House of Lancaster

Arms of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster Arms of Henry of Bolingbroke, eldest son of John of Gaunt
Arms of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster.svg Arms of John of Gaunt, King of Castile.svg Arms of Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford.svg Arms of Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford and Lancaster.svg
As Duke of LancasterAs claimant King of Castile (1371)As Duke of HerefordAs Duke of Hereford and Lancaster
House of Henry IV
Arms of the Prince of Wales (Modern).svg Arms of Thomas of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Clarence alt.svg Arms of John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford.svg Arms of Humphrey of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Gloucester.svg
Princes of Wales Thomas of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Clarence John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
Arms of the House of Beaufort, legitimized sons of John of Gaunt
Arms of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset (Bastard).svg Arms of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset.svg Beaufort Arms (France modern).svg Arms of Thomas Beaufort, 1st Duke of Exeter.svg Arms of Thomas Beaufort, 1st Duke of Exeter moderne.svg
John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter
Before 1396After legitimation, 1396France moderne adoptedAfter legitimation, 1396France moderne adopted

House of York

Arms of the sons of Edmund of Langley
Arms of Edward of Norwich.svg Arms of Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York.svg Arms of Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York.svg Arms of Richard of Conisburgh, 3rd Earl of Cambridge.svg
Edward of Norwich, as Earl of Rutland Edward of Norwich, as Duke of York Duke of York since the adoption of France moderne Richard of Conisburgh, 3rd Earl of Cambridge
Arms of the sons of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
Arms of Elizabeth of York (Princess).svg Arms of Edmund, Earl of Rutland.svg Arms of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence.svg Arms of Thomas of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Clarence.svg
Edward, Earl of March Edmund, Earl of Rutland George, Duke of Clarence Richard, Duke of Gloucester
Arms of the grandsons of Richard, 3rd Duke of York
Arms of the Prince of Wales (Modern).svg Arms of Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York.svg Arms of Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick.svg Arms of the Prince of Wales (Modern).svg
Edward, Prince of Wales, son of Edward IV Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, son of Edward IV Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick, son of George, Duke of Clarence Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales, son of Richard III

Non-Plantagenet families

The heiresses of Norfolk and Kent transmitted the Plantagenet arms to non-Plantagenet families:

Mowbrays and Hollands
Arms of Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk.svg Arms of Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent.svg Arms of John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter.svg Arms of John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter.svg
Mowbray Dukes of Norfolk Holland Earls of Kent John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter

Henry VI of England granted differenced versions of the Plantagenet arms to his maternal half-brothers. This was an extraordinary grant, since they were not descended from the English royal family.

House of Tudor
Arms of Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond.svg Arms of Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford.svg
Edmund Tudor, 1st Earl of Richmond Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford

House of Plantagenet

Colour key
(Line of descent)
  Monarchs
  Paternal descent
  Maternal descent
  Consorts
  Illegitimate descent
  Collaterals

Descendants of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Geoffrey of Anjou.svg
Geoffrey of Anjou 1113–1151Azure, six lions rampant Or, three, two and one [1] [2] Son of: Fulk, King of Jerusalem and Ermengarde, Countess of Maine.

Married to: Empress Matilda; 1128–1151.

Progenitor of the Plantagenet dynasty.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1154-1189).svg
Arms of William the Conqueror (1066-1087).svg
King Henry II 1133–1189Possible: Gules, a lion rampant (? contourné)

Possible: Gules, two lions passant [1] [3]

Son of: Geoffrey of Anjou and Empress Matilda.
No contemporary account provides him with arms, though attempts have been made to extrapolate what he may have used based on those of his sons and other kin.

In French blazoning, the lion passant guardant was often termed a léopard. However, this usage was never widespread in England, and is long obsolete. [4]

Arms of Eleanor of Aquitaine.svg
Queen Eleanor 1124?–1204 Attributed:Gules, a lion passant guardant in pale Or [5] Daughter of: William X, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Aquitaine and Aenor de Châtellerault.

Married to: King Henry II; 1152–1189.
There is not surviving contemporary evidence of her using arms, but later historians would attribute these arms to her.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of England (1189-1198).svg William FitzEmpress "Longespee"1136-1164Possible: Lion rampant (? contourné) [6] Son of: Geoffrey of Anjou and Empress Matilda.
ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of England (1189-1198).svg
Royal Arms of England (1154-1189).svg Royal Arms of England (1189-1198).svg
Arms of William the Conqueror (1066-1087).svg Royal Arms of England (1198-1340).svg
King Richard I, "The Lionheart"1157–1199Possible: Lion rampant (? contourné) [7] [8]

Possible: Two lions combatant [8]

Possible: Two lions passant [8]

Gules, three lions passant guardant Or [1] [9]

Son of: King Henry II and Queen Eleanor.

His arms are only known from two armorial seals, and hence the tinctures can not be determined. His First Great Seal showed one lion on half of the shield. It is debated whether this was meant to represent two lions combatant or a single lion, and if the latter, whether the direction in which the lion is facing is relevant or simply an artistic liberty. A simple lion rampant is most likely. [7]

At the end of his life, his second seal showed three lions, clearly the three-lion coat used by his successors. [1] [7]

Arms of Berengaria of Navarre.svg
Queen Berengaria 1170?–1230Azure, a cross pomettée Argent [10] Daughter of: Sancho VI of Navarre and Sancha of Castile, Queen of Navarre.

Married to: King Richard I; 1191–1199.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Geoffrey of Anjou.svg
William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury 1176–1226Azure, six lions guardant Or, three, two and one [3] [11] Illegitimate son of: King Henry II and Ida de Tosny.

Descendants of John, King of England

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1198-1340).svg
King John "Lackland"1166–1216Gules, three lions passant guardant Or [10] Son of: King Henry II and Queen Eleanor.
Arms of Isabella of Angouleme.svg
Queen Isabella 1188–1246Lozengy, Or and Gules (Angoulême) [12] Daughter of: Aymer of Angoulême and Alice of Courtenay.

Married to: King John; 1200–1216.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Richard of Cornwall, Earl of Cornwall.svg
Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall 1209–1272Argent, a red lion rampant Gules crowned Or, within a bordure Sable bezanty [13] Son of: King John and Queen Isabella.

Descendants of Henry III of England

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1198-1340).svg
King Henry III 1207–1272Gules, three lions passant guardant Or [14] Son of: King John and Queen Isabella.
Arms of Eleanor of Provence.svg
Queen Eleanor 1223–1291Or, four pallets Gules [14] Daughter of: Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy

Married to: King Henry III; 1236–1272.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster.svg
Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster1245–1296Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, with a label of three points Azure each charged with three fleurs de lys Or [15] Son of: King Henry III and Queen Eleanor.
Arms of Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster.svg
Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster 1278–1322Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, with a label of three points Azure each charged with three fleurs de lys Or [15] Son of: Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster and Blanche of Artois.
Arms of Henry, 3rd Earl of Leicester and Lancaster.svg
Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster 1281–1345Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, a baston Azure [16] Son of: Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster and Blanche of Artois.
Arms of Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster.svg
Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster 1310–1361Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, with a label of three points Azure each charged with three fleurs de lys Or [16] Son of: Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster and Maud Chaworth

Descendants of Edward I of England

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1198-1340).svg
King Edward I 1239–1307Gules, three lions passant guardant Or [17] Son of: King Henry III and Queen Eleanor.
Arms of Castille (English heraldry).svg
Queen Eleanor 1241–1290Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Gules a castle Or (Castile), 2nd and 3rd, Argent a lion rampant (Leon) [18] Daughter of: King Ferdinand III of Castile and Joan of Ponthieu.

Married to: King Edward I; 1254–1290

Arms of Margaret of France.svg
Queen Margaret 1279–1318Gules, three lions passant guardant Or (England), dimidiating, Azure, semée fleurs de lys Or (France) [19] Daughter of: King Philip III of France and Marie of Brabant.

Married to: King Edward I; 1299–1307

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Alphonso, Earl of Chester.svg
Alphonso Plantagenet, Earl of Chester1273–1284Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or, with a label of five points AzureSon of: King Edward I and Queen Eleanor.
Arms of Edward, Prince of Wales (1301-1307).svg
Edward of Caernarfon, Prince of Wales

(later King Edward II)

1284–1327Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or, with a label of three points Azure [20] Son of: King Edward I and Queen Eleanor.
Arms of Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk.svg
Thomas of Brotherton, Earl of Norfolk1300–1338Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or, with a label of three points Argent [21] Son of: King Edward I and Queen Margaret.
Arms of Alice de Hales.svg
Alice de Hales (or Halys)1304–1326Barry of ten Argent and Azure, a canton Gules, a lion passant guardant Or [22] Daughter of: Roger Hales (or Halys)

Married to: Thomas of Brotherton, Earl of Norfolk; (1316?–1320?)–1326

Arms of Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent.svg
Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent1301–1330Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or, within a bordure Argent (Kent) [23] Son of: King Edward I and Queen Margaret.
Arms of Margaret Wake, Baroness Wake of Liddell.svg
Margaret Wake, Baroness Wake of Liddell1297?–1349Barry of six Or and Gules, in chief three torteaux [23] Daughter of: John Wake, Baron Wake of Liddell and Joan de Fiennes

Married to: Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent; 1325

Arms of Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent.svg
Joan of Kent 1328–1385Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, within a bordure Argent (Kent) [23] Daughter of: Edmund, Earl of Kent and Margaret Wake.

Married to: Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent; 1340–1360

Married to: Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales; 1361–1376.

The so-called Fair Maid of Kent.

Arms of Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent.svg
Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent1350?–1397Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or, within a bordure Argent (Kent) [24] Son of: Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent and Joan of Kent
Arms of John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter.svg
John Holland, Duke of Exeter1352–1400Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or, within a bordure Argent charged with fleurs de lys Or [24] Son of: Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent and Joan of Kent
Arms of John Holland, 2nd Duke of Exeter.svg
John Holland, Duke of Exeter and Earl of Huntingdon1395–1447Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or, within a bordure Azure charged with eight fleurs de lys Or [24] Son of: John Holland, Duke of Exeter and Earl of Huntingdon and Elizabeth of Lancaster

Descendants of Edward II of England

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1198-1340).svg
King Edward II 1284–1327Gules, three lions passant guardant Or [20] Son of: King of Edward I and Queen Eleanor.
Arms of Margaret of France.svg Arms of Isabella of France.svg Queen Isabella 1295–1358Gules, three lions passant guardant Or (England), dimidiating, Azure, semée fleurs de lys Or (France) [25]

Quarterly, 1st England, 2nd France ancien, 3rd, Gules, a cross saltire and an orle of chains linked together Or (Navarre), 4th, Azure, a bend Argent cotised potent-counter-potent Or (Champagne) [25]

Daughter of: King Philip IV of France and Joan I of Navarre.

Married to: King of Edward II; 1308–1327

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Edward, Prince of Wales (1301-1307).svg
Edward of Windsor, Prince of Wales

(later King Edward III)

1312–1377Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, with a label of three points Azure [26] Son of: King Edward II and Queen Isabella.
Arms of John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall.svg
John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall1316–1336Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, within a bordure of France [25] Son of: King Edward II and Queen Isabella.

Descendants of Edward III of England

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1198-1340).svg Royal Arms of England (1340-1367).svg King Edward III 1312–1377Previously Edward bore: Gules, three lions passant guardant Or. [26]

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Azure, semée of fleurs de lys Or (France), 2nd and 3rd, Gules, three lions passant guardant Or (England) [27]

Son of: King Edward II and Queen Isabella.

In 1340, Edward III claimed the throne of France as an inheritance from his mother, Isabella, daughter of King Philip IV of France, and adopted new arms, Quarterly France and England. [1] Such arms are termed "Arms of Pretension", where a sovereign adopts arms illustrative of a claim de jure (by right) to the throne of another kingdom. [28]

Arms of Philippa of Hainault (1330-1340).svg Arms of Philippa of Hainault (1340-1369).svg Queen Philippa 1314–1369Quarterly, 1st and 4th, England; 2nd and 3rd, Or, four lions rampant in a quadrangle the first and fourth Sable (Flanders), the second and third Gules (Holland) [29] Daughter of: William I, Count of Hainaut and Joan of Valois.

Married to: King Edward III; 1328–1369.

Descendants of Edward, the Black Prince

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of the Prince of Wales (Ancient).svg Arms of the Prince of Wales (Shield of Peace).svg Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales1330–1376Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent [30] Son of: King Edward III and Queen Philippa.
Arms of Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent.svg
Joan of Kent 1328–1385Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, within a bordure Argent (Kent) [30] Daughter of: Edmund, Earl of Kent and Margaret Wake.

Married to: Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent; 1340–1360

Married to: Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales; 1361–1376.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Sir Roger de Clarendon.svg
Sir Roger Clarendon 1350–1402Or, on a bend Sable, three ostrich feathers Argent, the quills transfixing as many scrolls of the first [31] Illegitimate son of: Edward of Woodstock, the Prince of Wales and Edith Willesford.
ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Richard of Bordeaux, Prince of Wales (later Richard II).svg Royal Arms of England (1395-1399).svg King Richard II 1367–1400Azure, a cross fleury between five martlets Or (St. Edward the Confessor), impaling, Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England [32] Son of: Edward of Woodstock, the Prince of Wales and Joan of Kent.

Childless, overthrown and succeeded by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke or King Henry IV.

Arms of Anne of Bohemia.svg
Anne of Bohemia 1366–1394Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Or, an eagle displayed sable (Imperial Arms), 2nd and 3rd, Gules, a lion rampant queue fourchée Argent crowned Or (Bohemia) [32] Daughter of: Emperor Charles IV of the Holy Roman Empire and Elizabeth of Pomerania.

Married to: King Richard II; 1382–1394.

Arms of Isabella of Valois.svg
Isabella of Valois 1389–1409Azure, semée of fleurs de lys Or (France ancien) [33] Daughter of: King Charles VI of France and Isabeau of Bavaria.

Married to: King Richard II; 1396–1400.

Descendants of Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence.svg
Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence1338–1368Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each charged with a canton Gules [34] Son of: King Edward III and Queen Philippa.
Arms of the House of de Burgh.svg
Elizabeth de Burgh, Countess of Ulster1332–1363Or, a cross Gules (de Burgh) [34] Daughter of: William Donn de Burgh, Earl of Ulster and Matilda of Lancaster.

Married to: Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence; 1352–1363.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Philippa of Clarence, 5th Countess of Ulster.svg
Philippa of Clarence, Countess of Ulster1355–1382Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each charged with a canton Gules, impaling, Barry of six, Or and Azure, on a chief two pales, the corners gyronny, overall an escutcheon Argent [35] Daughter of: Lionel of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence and Elizabeth de Burgh, Countess of Ulster.

Married to: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March; 1368–1381.

Arms of the House of Mortimer.svg
Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March1352–1381Barry of six, Or and Azure, on a chief two pales, the corners gyronny, overall an escutcheon Argent (Mortimer) [35] Son of: Roger Mortimer, Earl of March and Philippa Montacute.
Arms of the Earl of March.svg
Roger Mortimer, Earl of March1374–1398Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Barry of six, Or and Azure, on a chief two pales, the corners gyronny, overall an escutcheon Argent (Mortimer), 2nd and 3rd Or, a cross Gules (de Burgh) [35] Son of: Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March and Philippa of Clarence, Countess of Ulster.
Arms of Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent.svg
Alianore Holland, Countess of March1370–1405Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, within a bordure Argent (Kent) [35] Daughter of: Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent and Alice Holland.

Married to: Roger Mortimer, Earl of March; 1388–1398.

Arms of Anne de Mortimer, Countess of Cambridge.svg
Anne Mortimer, Countess of Cambridge1390–1411Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each point charged with three torteaux Gules, within a bordure Argent charged with lions rampant purpure, impaling, Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Barry of six, Or and Azure, on a chief two pales, the corners gyronny, overall an escutcheon Argent (Mortimer), 2nd and 3rd Or, a cross Gules (de Burgh) [35] Daughter of: Roger Mortimer, Earl of March and Alianore Holland, Countess of March.

Married to: Richard of Conisburgh, Earl of Cambridge; 1408–1411.

John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster.svg Arms of John of Gaunt, King of Castile.svg John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster1340–1399Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points ermine [36]

Quarterly, Castile and Leon, impaling, quarterly, France and England, a label of three points ermine [37]

Son of: King Edward III and Queen Philippa.

See: House of Lancaster

Arms of Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster.svg
Blanche of Lancaster 1345–1369England a label of France (Old Lancaster) [36] Daughter of: Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster and Isabel of Beaumont.

Married to: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster; 1359–1369.

Arms of Castille (English heraldry).svg
Constance of Castile 1354–1394Quarterly, Castile and Leon (Kingdom of Castile) [37] Daughter of: King Peter of Castile and María de Padilla.

Married to: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster; 1371–1394.

Arms of Katherine Swynford (de Roet).svg
Katherine Swynford 1350–1403Gules, three Catherine wheels Or (Roet) [37] Daughter of: Payne de Roet.

Married to: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster; 1396–1399.

Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York.svg
Edmund of Langley, Duke of York1341–1402Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each point charged with three torteaux Gules [38] Son of: King Edward III and Queen Philippa.

See: House of York

Arms of Castille (English heraldry).svg
Isabella of Castille 1355–1392Quarterly, Castille and Leon (Kingdom of Castille) [38] Daughter of: King Peter of Castile and María de Padilla.

Married to: Edmund of Langley, Duke of York; 1372–1392.

Arms of Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent.svg
Joan Holland 1380–1434Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, within a bordure Argent (Kent) [38] Daughter of: Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent and Alice Holland.

Married to: Edmund of Langley, Duke of York; 1393–1402.

Descendants of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester.svg
Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester1355–1397Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure Argent [39] Son of: King Edward III and Queen Philippa.
Arms of the House of de Bohun.svg
Eleanor de Bohun 1366–1399Azure, a bend Argent between two cotise and six lions rampant Or (de Bohun) [39] Daughter of: Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Joan de Bohun.

Married to: Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester; 1374–1397.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester.svg
Humphrey, Earl of Buckingham1381–1399Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure Argent [40] Son of: Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester and Eleanor de Bohun.
Arms of Anne of Gloucester, Countess of Stafford.svg
Anne of Gloucester, Countess of Stafford1383–1438Or, a chevron Gules (Stafford), impaling, Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure Argent [40] Daughter of: Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester and Eleanor de Bohun.

Married to: Edmund Stafford, Earl of Stafford.

House of Lancaster

Colour key
(Line of descent)
  Monarchs
  Paternal descent
  Maternal descent
  Consorts
  Illegitimate descent
  Collaterals

Descendants of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford.svg Arms of Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford and Lancaster.svg Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford and Lancaster
(later King Henry IV)
1366–1413As Duke of Hereford:

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of five points ermine (Richmond) [41]

As Duke of Lancaster and Hereford:

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of five points two of ermine (Richmond) and three Azure flory Or (Lancaster) [41]

Son of: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Blanche of Lancaster.
Arms of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset (Bastard).svg Arms of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset.svg John Beaufort, Earl of Somerset1373–1410Per pale, Argent and Azure, over all on a bend Gules three lions passant guardant Or with a label of three points Azure each charges with three fleur de lys Or [42]

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure [42]

Illegitimate Son (legitimated in 1396) of: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Katherine Swynford.

See: House of Beaufort

Arms of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset.svg
Henry Beaufort, Cardinal of St. Eusebius and Bishop of Winchester1374–1447Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure [43] Illegitimate Son (legitimated in 1396) of: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Katherine Swynford.
Arms of Thomas Beaufort, 1st Duke of Exeter.svg Arms of Thomas Beaufort, 1st Duke of Exeter moderne.svg Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter1377–1426Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Azure and Ermine [44] Illegitimate Son (legitimated in 1396) of: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Katherine Swynford.

Descendants of Henry IV of England

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1340-1367).svg Royal Arms of England (1399-1603).svg King Henry IV 1366–1413Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England [45]

Changed to France moderne in line with changes made in that kingdom: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England [45]

Son of: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Blanche of Lancaster.

In 1376, the kings of France altered the royal coat of arms, replacing the field semée fleurs de lys with three fleurs de lys, alluding to the Trinity. This new design is referred to as France Moderne, the previous one being France Ancien. From about 1400 the kings of England imitated this change. As modified, the monarchs of England continued to bear arms in this form until the crown union with Scotland in 1603. [1]

First king of the House of Lancaster.

Arms of the House of de Bohun.svg
Mary de Bohun 1370–1394Azure, a bend Argent between two cotise and six lions rampant Or (de Bohun) [41] Daughter of: Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Joan FitzAlan.

Married to: Henry Bolingbroke (later King Henry IV); 1380–1394.

Arms of Joan of Navarre.svg
Joan of Navarre 1370–1437Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien and a baston gobony Argent and Gules (Evreux), 2nd and 3rd, Gules, a cross, a saltire and an orle of chain linked together Or (Navarre) [46] Daughter of: King Charles II of Navarre and Joan of Valois.

Married to: King Henry IV; 1399–1413.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of the Prince of Wales (Modern).svg
Henry of Monmouth, Prince of Wales
(later King Henry V)
1386–1422Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent [47] Son of: King Henry IV and Mary de Bohun.
Arms of Thomas of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Clarence.svg
Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence1387–1421Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points ermine, each with a canton Gules [48] Son of: King Henry IV and Mary de Bohun.
Arms of John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford.svg
John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford1389–1435Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of five points, the two on the dexter side ermine and each of the other three charged with three fleurs de lys [49] Son of: King Henry IV and Mary de Bohun.
Arms of Humphrey of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Gloucester.svg
Humphrey of Lancaster, Duke of Gloucester1390–1447Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure Argent [49] Son of: King Henry IV and Mary de Bohun.
Descendants of Henry V of England
ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1399-1603).svg
King Henry V 1386–1422Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England [50] Son of: King Henry IV and Mary de Bohun.
Arms of Catherine of Valois.svg
Catherine of Valois 1401–1437Azure, three fleur de lys Or (France moderne) [50] Daughter of: King Charles VI of France and Isabeau of Bavaria.

Married to: King Henry V; 1420–1422.

Later married to: Owen Tudor; 1428?–1437, progenitor of the House of Tudor.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1470-1471).svg
King Henry VI 1421–1471France moderne, impaling, quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England [51] Son of: King Henry V and Catherine of Valois.

Throne usurped by Edward, Earl of March, who became King Edward IV in 1461.

Arms of Margaret of Anjou.svg
Margaret of Anjou 1430–1482Quarterly of six, 1st, barry of eight Argent and Gules (Hungary), 2nd, Azure, semée of fleur de lys Or, a label of three points Gules (Naples), 3rd, Argent, a cross potent between four crosses Or (Jerusalem), 4th, Azure, semée of fleur de lys Or, a bordure Gules (Anjou), 5th Azure, semée of crosses crosslet fitchée, two barbels addorsée Or (Bar), 6th, Or, on a bend Gules three allerions Argent (Lorraine) [52] Daughter of: King René of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Isabella of Lorraine.

Married to: King Henry VI; 1445–1471.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of the Prince of Wales (Modern).svg
Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales1453–1471Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent [53] Son of: King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou.

Killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury 1471.

House of York

Colour key
(Line of descent)
  Monarchs
  Paternal descent
  Maternal descent
  Consorts
  Illegitimate descent
  Collaterals

Descendants of Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York.svg
Edward of Norwich, Duke of York1373–1415Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Gules each charged with three castles Or [54]

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each point charged with three torteaux Gules [54]

Son of: Edmund of Langley, Duke of York and Isabella of Castille.
Arms of Richard of Conisburgh, 3rd Earl of Cambridge.svg
Richard of Conisburgh, Earl of Cambridge1385–1415Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each point charged with three torteaux Gules, within a bordure Argent charged with lions rampant purpure [55] Son of: Edmund of Langley, Duke of York and Isabella of Castille.

Executed in 1415 at the orders of King Henry V, for Treason.

Arms of Anne de Mortimer, Countess of Cambridge.svg
Anne Mortimer, Countess of Cambridge1390–1411Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each point charged with three torteaux Gules, within a bordure Argent charged with lions rampant purpure, impaling, Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Barry of six, Or and Azure, on a chief two pales, the corners gyronny, overall an escutcheon Argent (Mortimer), 2nd and 3rd Or, a cross Gules (de Burgh) [35] Daughter of: Roger Mortimer, Earl of March and Alianore Holland, Countess of March.

Married to: Richard of Conisburgh, Earl of Cambridge; 1408–1411.

Heiress of the House of Clarence.

Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York (Variant).svg Arms of Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York.svg Richard of York, Duke of York1411–1460Quarterly, 1st and 4th, quarterly, France moderne, and England, overall a label of three points each charged with three torteaux Gules, 2nd, quarterly, Castile and Leon, 3rd, quarterly, Mortimer and de Burgh, and overall and inescutcheon Gules, three passant guardant Or, a bordure Argent [56]

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each point charged with three torteaux Gules [56]

Son of: Richard of Conisburgh, Earl of Cambridge, Duke of York and Anne Mortimer.

Originator of the claim of the House of York to the throne, by combining the claims of Clarence (from his mother) and York (from his father).

Descendants of Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York.svg
Richard of York, Duke of York1411–1460Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France modern, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each point charged with three torteaux Gules [56] Son of: Richard of Conisburgh, Earl of Cambridge, Duke of York and Anne Mortimer.

Originator of the claim of the House of York to the throne.

Defeated and killed at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460.

Arms of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York.svg
Cecily Neville, Duchess of York1415–1495Gules a saltire Argent (Neville) [56] Daughter of: Ralph de Neville, Earl of Westmorland and Joan Beaufort (daughter of John of Gaunt).

Married to: Richard of York, Duke of York; 1429–1460.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Elizabeth of York (Princess).svg
Edward, Earl of March
(later King Edward IV)
1442–1483Quarterly, 1st, quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, 2nd and 3rd Or, a cross Gules (de Burgh), 4th Barry of six, Or and Azure, on a chief two pales, the corners gyronny, overall an escutcheon Argent (Mortimer) [57] Son of: Richard of York, Duke of York and Cecily Neville.
Arms of Edmund, Earl of Rutland.svg
Edmund, Earl of Rutland1443–1460Quarterly, 1st, quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of five points Argent the two dexter points charged with lions rampant purpure and three sinister points each with three torteaux, 2nd and 3rd de Burgh, 4th Mortimer [58] Son of: Richard of York, Duke of York and Cecily Neville.

Killed after the Battle of Wakefield.

Arms of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence.svg
George, Duke of Clarence1449–1478Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each point charged with a canton Gules [59] Son of: Richard of York, Duke of York and Cecily Neville.
Arms of Thomas of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Clarence.svg
Richard, Duke of Gloucester
(later King Richard III)
1452–1485Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points ermine each charged with a canton Gules (same as Thomas of Lancaster) [60] Son of: Richard of York, Duke of York and Cecily Neville.
Descendants of Edward IV of England
ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1399-1603).svg
King Edward IV 1442–1483Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England [61] Son of: Richard of York, Duke of York and Cecily Neville.

Declared king in 1461, usurping the crown from the weak King Henry VI.

First king of the House of York.

Arms of Elizabeth Woodville.svg
Elizabeth Woodville 1437–1492Quarterly of six, 1st, Agent, a lion rampant double queued gules, crowned Or (Luxembourg), 2nd, quarterly 1st and 4th, Gules, a star of eight points Argent, 2nd and 3rd, Azure semée of fleurs de lys Or (de Baux d' Andrée), 3rd, Barry Argent and Azure, overall a lion rampant Gules (Lusignan of Cyprus), 4th, Gules, three bendlets Argent, on a chief of the first, charged with a fillet in base Or, a rose of the second (Ursins), 5th, Gules, three pallets vairy, on a chief Or a label five points Azure (St. Pol), 6th, Argent, a fess and a canton conjoined Gules (Woodville) [62] Daughter of: Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers and Jacquetta of Luxembourg.

Married to: Sir John Grey; 1452–1461.

Married to: King Edward IV; 1464–1483.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Elizabeth of York (Princess).svg
Elizabeth of York 1466–1503Quarterly, 1st, quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, 2nd and 3rd de Burgh, 4th Mortimer [63] Daughter of: King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville.

Married to: King Henry VII; 1486–1503.

Arms of the Prince of Wales (Modern).svg
Edward, Prince of Wales
(later King Edward V)
1470–1483?Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent [64] Son of: King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville.

One of the two: Princes in the Tower.

Arms of Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York.svg
Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York1473–1483?Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent on the first point a canton Gules [65] Son of: King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville.

One of the two: Princes in the Tower.

Arms of Arthur Plantagenet, 1st Viscount Lisle.svg Arms of Arthur Plantagenet, 1st Viscount Lisle (after 1511).svg Arthur Plantagenet, Viscount Lisle?–1542Quarterly, 1st, quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, 2nd and 3rd de Burgh, 4th Mortimer, overall a baston sinister Azure [66]

Quarterly, 1st, quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, 2nd and 3rd de Burgh, 4th Mortimer, overall a baston sinister Azure, and over all an escutcheon of pretence quarterly of six: 1st, barry of six argent and azure, in chief three torteaux (Grey); 2nd, barry of ten argent and azure, an orle of martlets gules (Valence); 3rd, gules, seven mascles three, three, one or (Quincy); over these three quarterings a label of three points ermine; 4th, gules, a lion rampant within a bordure engrailed or (Talbot); 5th, gules, a fess between six cross croslets or (Beauchamp); 6th, gules, a lion statant guardant argent, crowned or (L'Isle). [67]

Illegitimate son of: King Edward IV.

Imprisoned in 1540 at the orders of King Henry VIII for treason. Died two days after receiving the news he was to be released.

Descendants of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence
ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence.svg
George, Duke of Clarence1449–1478Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent each point charged with a canton Gules [59] Son of: Richard of York, Duke of York and Cecily Neville.

Executed in 1478 at the orders of King Edward IV (his own brother), for having designs on the throne.

Arms of Isabel Neville, Duchess of Clarence.svg
Isabel Neville, Duchess of Clarence1451–1476Gules a saltire Argent, a label of three points gobony, Argent and Azure (Neville) [59] Daughter of: Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick and Anne de Beauchamp.

Married to: George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence; 1469–1476.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury.svg
Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury1473–1541Quarterly, 1st, Quarterly, France modern and England, a label of three points Argent each charged with a canton Gules (Clarence), 2nd, Gules a saltire Argent, a label of three points gobony Argent and Azure (Neville), impaling Gules, a fess between six crosses crosslet Or (Beauchamp), 3rd, Chequy Or and Azure, a chevron ermine (Newburgh), impaling Argent, three lozenges conjoined in fess Gules (Montacute), 4th, Or, an eagle displayed Vert (Monthermer), impaling Quarterly 1st and 4th, Or, three chevrons Gules (Clare), 2nd and 3rd, Quarterly, Argent and Gules, a fret Or, overall a bendlett Sable (Despencer) [59] Daughter of: George, Duke of Clarence and Isabel Neville.

Married to: Sir Richard Pole; 1487–1505?.

Matriarch of the Pole family; mother of Cardinal Reginald Pole, later Archbishop of Canterbury.

Executed in 1541 at the orders of King Henry VIII for treason.

Later beatified by the Catholic Church as Blessed.

Arms of Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick.svg
Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Warwick1475–1499Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points gobony, Argent and Azure (Neville) [68] Son of: George, Duke of Clarence and Isabel Neville.

Nominated heir of King Richard III in 1484.

Executed in 1499 at the orders of King Henry VII for treason.

Last legitimate male-line member of the House of Plantagenet.

Descendants of Richard III of England
ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Royal Arms of England (1399-1603).svg
King Richard III 1452–1485Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England [60] Son of: Richard of York, Duke of York and Cecily Neville.

Defeated and killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, fighting against Henry Tudor, later King Henry VII.

Last legitimate male-line Plantagenet king.

Arms of Anne Neville.svg Arms of Anne Neville (Variant).svg Anne Neville 1456–1485Quarterly of seven, 1st, Gules, a fess between six crosses crosslet Or (Beauchamp), 2nd, Chequy Or and Azure, a chevron ermine (Newburgh), 3rd, Argent, three lozenges conjoined in fess Gules (Montacute), 4th, Or, an eagle displayed Vert (Monthermer), 5th, Gules a saltire Argent, a label of three points gobony Argent and Azure (Neville), 6th, Or, three chevrons Gules (Clare), 7th, Quarterly, Argent and Gules, a fret Or, overall a bendlett Sable (Despencer) [69]

Gules, a saltire Argent [60]

Daughter of: Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick and Anne de Beauchamp.

Married to: Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales; 1470–1471.

Married to: King Richard III; 1472–1485.

Anne sometimes bore her father, Warwick the Kingmaker's, full achievement, however at other times she also bore the arms of Neville without difference.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of the Prince of Wales (Modern).svg
Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales1473–1484Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, with a label of three points Argent [70] Son of: King Richard III and Anne Neville,

Died at age 10 in 1484, Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Warwick nominated heir in his place.

House of Beaufort

Colour key
(Line of descent)
  Monarchs
  Paternal descent
  Maternal descent
  Consorts
  Illegitimate descent
  Collaterals

Descendants of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset (Bastard).svg Arms of John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset.svg John Beaufort, Earl of Somerset1373–1410Per pale, Argent and Azure, over all on a bend Gules three lions passant guardant Or with a label of three points Azure each charges with three fleur de lys Or [42]

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure [42]

Illegitimate Son (legitimated in 1396) of: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Katherine Swynford.
Arms of Margaret Holland, Countess of Somerset.svg Margaret Holland, Countess of Somerset1385–1439Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure, impaling, Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, within a bordure Argent [42] Daughter of: Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent and Alice Holland, Countess of Kent

Married to: John Beaufort, Earl of Somerset; 1399–1410

Married to: Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence; 1411–1421

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Beaufort Arms (France modern).svg John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset1403–1444Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure [71] Son of: John Beaufort, Earl of Somerset and Margaret Holland.
Arms of Margaret Beauchamp.svg Margaret Beauchamp 1406–1482Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure, impaling, Gules, on a fess Or a mullet Sable, between six martlets, three, two and one, of the second (Beauchamp) [71] Daughter of: John Beauchamp of Bletso and Edith Stourton.

Married to: Sir Oliver St John, of Bletsoe; 1425–1437.

Married to: John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset; 1439–1444.

Married to: Lionel de Welles, Baron Welles; 1447–1461.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Beaufort Arms (France modern).svg Arms of Lady Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond.svg Lady Margaret Beaufort 1443–1509Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure [72]

Quarterly, France moderne and England, a bordure Azure charged alternatively with fleurs de lys and martlets Or, impaling, Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure [72]

Daughter of: John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and Margaret Beauchamp.

Married to: Edmund Tudor, 1st Earl of Richmond; 1455–1456.

Married to: Sir Henry Stafford; 1462–1471.

Married to: Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby; 1472–1504.

Arms of Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond.svg Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond1430–1456Quarterly, France moderne and England, a bordure Azure charged alternatively with fleurs de lys and martlets Or [72] Son of: Sir Owen Tudor and Catherine of Valois.

Half brother to King Henry VI, legitimated by Parliament in 1453.

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond.svg Royal Arms of England (1399-1603).svg Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond
(later King Henry VII)
1457–1509Quarterly, France moderne and England, a bordure Azure charged alternatively with fleurs de lys and martlets Or [73]

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England [74]

Son of: Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond and Lady Margaret Beaufort.

Defeats King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, claims the throne as King Henry VII.

See: House of Tudor

Arms of Elizabeth of York (Princess).svg Arms of Elizabeth of York.svg Elizabeth of York 1466–1503Quarterly, 1st, quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, 2nd and 3rd de Burgh, 4th Mortimer [75] Daughter of: King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville.

Married to: King Henry VII; 1486–1503.

Heiress of the House of York.

Descendants of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset

ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester.svg Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, K.G. 1460–1526Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France ancien, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure [42] (Beaufort)with argent baton sinister, with escutcheon of pretence of per pale azure and gules, three lions rampant argent, 2 and 1 Herbert.An illegitimate son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset [76] by his mistress Joan Hill. [77] He was invested as a Knight of the Garter in about 1496. On 1 February 1514 he was created Earl of Worcester and was at some time appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household to King Henry VIII. As Lord Chamberlain, Somerset was largely responsible for the preparations for the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520. He was a favourite of Henry VII and Henry VIII
ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester.svg William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester, K.G. 1526/7–1589Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or a fess on which is France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure [71] (Beaufort), 2nd, per pale azure and gules, three lions rampant argent, 2 and 1 Herbert, argent a fess gules, with a canton gueules. [78] Eldest son of Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester and his second wife Elizabeth Browne. [79]
ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Arms of Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester.svg Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester, K.G. 1550–1628Grand quarters, 1st and 4th, quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure [71] (Beaufort), 2nd, per pale azure and gules, three lions rampant argent, 2 and 1 Herbert, argent a fess gules, with a canton gueules.Eldest son of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester. He was an important advisor to King James I (James VI of Scots), serving as Lord Privy Seal. [79]
ArmsNameLifeBlazonNotes
Beaufort Arms (France modern).svg Henry Somerset, 1st Duke of Beaufort, K.G., PC 1629–1700Quarterly, 1st and 4th, France moderne, 2nd and 3rd England, within a bordure componée Argent and Azure [71] (Beaufort).Eldest son of Edward Somerset, 2nd Marquess of Worcester. He was a Welsh politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1654 and 1667, when he succeeded his father as 3rd Marquess of Worcester. He was styled Lord Herbert from 1644 until 3 April 1667. The Dukedom of Beaufort was bestowed upon him by King Charles II in 1682. He is the ancestor of the current Somersets, and so the Dukes of Beaufort and the Barons Raglan. The current head of the house is Henry Somerset, 12th Duke of Beaufort.

See also

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The House of Lancaster was a cadet branch of the royal House of Plantagenet. The first house was created when King Henry III of England created the Earldom of Lancaster—from which the house was named—for his second son Edmund Crouchback in 1267. Edmund had already been created Earl of Leicester in 1265 and was granted the lands and privileges of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, after de Montfort's death and attainder at the end of the Second Barons' War. When Edmund's son Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, inherited his father-in-law's estates and title of Earl of Lincoln he became at a stroke the most powerful nobleman in England, with lands throughout the kingdom and the ability to raise vast private armies to wield power at national and local levels. This brought him—and Henry, his younger brother—into conflict with their cousin King Edward II, leading to Thomas's execution. Henry inherited Thomas's titles and he and his son, who was also called Henry, gave loyal service to Edward's son King Edward III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of York</span> Cadet branch of the House of Plantagenet

The House of York was a cadet branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet. Three of its members became kings of England in the late 15th century. The House of York descended in the male line from Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York, the fourth surviving son of Edward III. In time, it also represented Edward III's senior line, when an heir of York married the heiress-descendant of Lionel, Duke of Clarence, Edward III's second surviving son. It is based on these descents that they claimed the English crown. Compared with its rival, the House of Lancaster, it had a superior claim to the throne of England according to cognatic primogeniture, but an inferior claim according to agnatic primogeniture. The reign of this dynasty ended with the death of Richard III of England at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coat of arms of England</span> National arms of England

The royal arms of England is the coat of arms historically used as arms of dominion by the monarchs of the Kingdom of England, and now used to symbolise England generally. The arms were adopted c.1200 by the Plantagenet kings and continued to be used by successive English and British monarchs; they are currently quartered with the arms of Scotland and Ireland in the coat of arms of the United Kingdom. Historically they were also quartered with the arms of France, representing the English claim to the French throne, and Hanover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duke of Beaufort</span> Title in the Peerage of England

Duke of Beaufort is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created by Charles II in 1682 for Henry Somerset, 3rd Marquess of Worcester, a descendant of Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, legitimised son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset, a Lancastrian leader in the Wars of the Roses. The name Beaufort refers to a castle in Champagne, France. It is the only current dukedom to take its name from a place outside the British Isles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester</span> English nobleman

Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, KG was an English nobleman and politician. He was the legitimised bastard son of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset by his mistress Joan Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadency</span> System in heraldry to distinguish family members

In heraldry, cadency is any systematic way to distinguish arms displayed by descendants of the holder of a coat of arms when those family members have not been granted arms in their own right. Cadency is necessary in heraldic systems in which a given design may be owned by only one person at any time, generally the head of the senior line of a particular family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Brooke-Little</span> British heraldic writer (1927–2006); Clarenceux King of Arms

John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little was an English writer on heraldic subjects, and a long-serving herald at the College of Arms in London. In 1947, while still a student, Brooke-Little founded the Society of Heraldic Antiquaries, now known as the Heraldry Society and recognised as one of the leading learned societies in its field. He served as the society's chairman for 50 years and then as its president from 1997 until his death in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Beaufort</span> English noble family

The House of Beaufort is an English noble and quasi-royal family, which originated in the fourteenth century as the legitimated issue of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, whose eldest legitimate son was King Henry IV, the first Lancastrian king. The Beauforts played an important role during the Wars of the Roses in the fifteenth century and the eventual heiress of the family Lady Margaret Beaufort was the mother of King Henry VII, the first Tudor monarch of England.

Michael Maclagan, was a British historian, antiquary and herald. He was Fellow and Tutor in Modern History at Trinity College, Oxford, for more than forty years, a long-serving officer of arms, and Lord Mayor of Oxford 1970–71.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lion (heraldry)</span> Element in heraldry

The lion is a common charge in heraldry. It traditionally symbolises courage, nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness and valour, because historically the lion has been regarded as the "king of beasts". The lion also carries Judeo-Christian symbolism. The Lion of Judah stands in the coat of arms of Jerusalem. Similar-looking lions can be found elsewhere, such as in the coat of arms of the Swedish royal House of Bjelbo, from there in turn derived into the coat of arms of Finland, formerly belonging to Sweden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Componée</span>

In heraldry, an ordinary componée, anglicised to compony and gobony, is composed of a row of squares, rectangles or other quadrilaterals, of alternating tinctures, often found as a bordure, most notably in the arms of the English House of Beaufort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blazon</span> Art of describing heraldic arms in proper terms

In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image. The verb to blazon means to create such a description. The visual depiction of a coat of arms or flag has traditionally had considerable latitude in design, but a verbal blazon specifies the essentially distinctive elements. A coat of arms or flag is therefore primarily defined not by a picture but rather by the wording of its blazon. Blazon is also the specialized language in which a blazon is written, and, as a verb, the act of writing such a description. Blazonry is the art, craft or practice of creating a blazon. The language employed in blazonry has its own vocabulary, grammar and syntax, which becomes essential for comprehension when blazoning a complex coat of arms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">English heraldry</span> English form of heraldic bearings and insignia

English heraldry is the form of coats of arms and other heraldic bearings and insignia used in England. It lies within the so-called Gallo-British tradition. Coats of arms in England are regulated and granted to individuals by the English kings of arms of the College of Arms. An individual's arms may also be borne 'by courtesy' by members of the holder's nuclear family, subject to a system of cadency marks, to differentiate those displays from the arms of the original holder. The English heraldic style is exemplified in the arms of British royalty, and is reflected in the civic arms of cities and towns, as well as the noble arms of individuals in England. Royal orders in England, such as the Order of the Garter, also maintain notable heraldic bearings.

The royal supporters of England are the heraldic supporter creatures appearing on each side of the royal arms of England. The royal supporters of the monarchs of England displayed a variety, or even a menagerie, of real and imaginary heraldic beasts, either side of their royal arms of sovereignty, including lion, leopard, panther and tiger, antelope and hart, greyhound, boar and bull, falcon, cock, eagle and swan, red and gold dragons, as well as the current unicorn.

Most of the members of the Capetian dynasty bore a version of the arms of France. The arms of France were adopted by the Capetian kings only in the twelfth century. Consequently, the cadet branches that had branched off in earlier periods bore entirely different arms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angevin coat of arms</span> 12th–13th century English royal emblem

The coat of arms of the Angevin dynasty varied over time, but always included a lion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal badges of England</span>

In heraldry, the royal badges of England comprise the heraldic badges that were used by the monarchs of the Kingdom of England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coat of arms of the Prince of Wales</span> Personal coat of arms of the Prince of Wales

The coat of arms of the Prince of Wales is the official personal heraldic insignia of the Princes of Wales, a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, formerly the Kingdom of Great Britain and before that the Kingdom of England.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brooke-Little 1978, pp. 205–222.
  2. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 14.
  3. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 20.
  4. Fox-Davies 1978 , pp. 173.
  5. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 21.
  6. Holroyd, Graham (2000). "The Earliest Known Depiction of the Royal Arms of England?". Coat of Arms. 192..
  7. 1 2 3 Ailes 1982 , pp. 52–53, 64–74.
  8. 1 2 3 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 24.
  9. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 25.
  10. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 26.
  11. Ailes 1982 , pp. 52–53.
  12. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 27.
  13. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 28.
  14. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 30.
  15. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 32.
  16. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 33.
  17. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 34.
  18. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 35.
  19. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 38.
  20. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 48.
  21. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 40.
  22. Louda & Maclagan 1981 , p. 19
  23. 1 2 3 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 45.
  24. 1 2 3 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 46.
  25. 1 2 3 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 49.
  26. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 50.
  27. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 52.
  28. Baynes & Smith 1880, p. 689.
  29. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 55.
  30. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 59.
  31. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 60.
  32. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 62.
  33. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 63.
  34. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 65.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 66.
  36. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 77.
  37. 1 2 3 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 78.
  38. 1 2 3 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 103.
  39. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 69.
  40. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 70.
  41. 1 2 3 Pinches & Pinches 1974, p. 86.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pinches & Pinches 1974, p. 81.
  43. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 84.
  44. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 85.
  45. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 87.
  46. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 89.
  47. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 94.
  48. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 91.
  49. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 92.
  50. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 95.
  51. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 97.
  52. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 99.
  53. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 100.
  54. 1 2 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 104.
  55. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 105.
  56. 1 2 3 4 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 106.
  57. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 113.
  58. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 108.
  59. 1 2 3 4 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 110.
  60. 1 2 3 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 122.
  61. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 114.
  62. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 117.
  63. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 134.
  64. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 121.
  65. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 119.
  66. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 120.
  67. Byrne, p.178, blazons given
  68. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 111.
  69. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 116.
  70. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 124.
  71. 1 2 3 4 5 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 82.
  72. 1 2 3 Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 127.
  73. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 132.
  74. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 133.
  75. Pinches & Pinches 1974 , p. 134.
  76. Burke 1914, p. 207.
  77. Gurney 1890, p. 55.
  78. Quartering based on the arms in the 16th century portrait of Worcester ( Portrait of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester 2018 )
  79. 1 2 Robinson 2004.

Bibliography