Lancastrian

Lancastrian A descendant or supporter of John of GAUNT, Duke of Lancaster. The Lancastrians held the throne of England as HENRY IV, HENRY V, and HENRY VI, (their badge was a red rose). In the Wars of the ROSES, a series of battles for the throne fought with the YORKISTS from 1455 onwards, the Lancastrians suffered a major reverse in the displacement of Henry by Edward IV in 1461; they took refuge in France, and under the leadership of MARGARET OF ANJOU invaded England and succeeded in restoring Henry to his kingdom in October 1470. Henry's rule was ended after a few months by the Yorkist victories at BARNET and TEWKESBURY; most of the remaining Lancastrian leaders died in the latter battle. Yet the Lancastrian party was ultimately successful, for it then supported Henry Tudor, who in 1485, by his victory at BOSWORTH FIELD, became king as HENRY VII.