1,182 bytes added
, 20:21, December 27, 2008
The '''Duchy of Lancaster''' derives from an earldom created by [[Henry III]] for his younger son, Edmund, and enlarged by many of the estates of [[Simon de Montfort]] after his death at [[Evesham]]. Edmund’s grandson, Henry Grosmont, a friend and supporter of [[Edward III]], was created a duke in 1351, and the duchy with its vast estates and income came to [[John of Gaunt]] through his marriage to Henry’s only child, Blanche.
The title reverted to the Crown when John of Gaunt’s son, Henry ([[Shakespeare]]’s Bolingbroke) usurped the throne of [[Richard II]] in 1399 and ruled as [[Henry IV]]. He, his son, [[Henry V]] and grandson, [[Henry VI]] make up the royal House of Lancaster, and the term “[[Lancastrian]]” refers to these kings, their retainers and supporters; and all those that fought with the Lancastrians or [[Henry VII|Henry Tudor]] against the [[Yorkist]]s in the [[Wars of the Roses]].
The duchy remains the preserve of the monarch to this day, with one of the less onerous ministerial positions being the “Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster”.
[[Category: English History]]
[[Category: Medieval History]]
[[Category: Wars of the Roses]]