Angevin

Angevin is the name applied to three distinct medieval dynasties which originated as counts (from 1360, dukes) of the western French province of Anjou (of which angevin is the adjectival form), but later came to rule far greater areas including England, Hungary and Poland (see Angevin Empire).

Plantagenet

The first Angevin dynasty, known from the 12th century as the Plantagenet dynasty, came (with its Lancastrian and Yorkist branches) to rule England (1154–1485), Normandy (1144–1204, 1346–1360 and 1415–1450), and Gascony and Guyenne (1153–1453), but lost Anjou itself to the French crown in 1206.

Related Topics:
12th century - Lancastrian - Yorkist - England - 1154 - 1485 - Normandy - 1144 - 1204 - 1346 - 1360 - 1415 - 1450 - Gascony - Guyenne - 1153 - 1453 - 1206

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The name "Plantagenet" is derived from the broom flower (planta genesta). It originated with Geoffrey of Anjou, father of King Henry II of England, because he adapted the flower as his emblem, often wearing a sprig of it.

Related Topics:
Broom flower - Geoffrey of Anjou - Henry II of England

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The surname "Plantagenet" has been retrospectively applied to the descendants of Geoffrey of Anjou without historical justification: it is simply a convenient method of referring to people who had, in fact, no surname. The first descendant of Geoffrey to use the surname was Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, father of both Edward IV and Richard III, who apparently assumed it about 1448. That said, it has been traditional when referring to the Plantagenets to call all descendants of Geoffrey by this surname. 1

Related Topics:
Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York - Edward IV - Richard III - 1448

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