Lancaster, House of

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Lancaster, House of English royal dynasty. The first Earl of Lancaster was Edmund ‘Crouchback’ (1245–96), son of Henry III. In 1361, the Lancastrian title and lands passed to John of Gaunt via his wife. In 1399, their son was crowned Henry IV. During the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century, the rival royal houses of Lancaster and York, both Plantagenets, contended for the throne.

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