One of many popular theories suggests the blossom of common broom, a bright yellow gold flowering plant, genista in medieval latin, as the source of the nickname. The story of the plantagenet dynasty is the story of one of the pivotal ages in english. The warrior kings and queens who made england is a fascinating history of the twoandahalf centuries that transformed england from a norman colony to a european power. The plantagenets succeeds in bringing an extraordinary family arrestingly to life. The dynastys name comes from a yellow blossom, planta genista, a sprig of. As he chronicles the entire dynasty, beginning with geoffrey of anjou commonly adorned with a sprig of planta genista, which gave his line their moniker. Between 1154 and 1485, a period of 331 years, england was. Sep 16, 2014 the plantagenets took their name from this plant, which in latin is planta genista. The traditional explanation, dating back to 1605, for the plantagenet name is that geoffrey plante genest wore a sprig of broom the planta genista in his bonnet. Dan joness hefty book does not take us that far though he promises to, one day. Plantagenets the name derives from the sprig of broom, planta. The plantagenets the warrior kings and queens who made. They may lack the glamour of the tudors or the majesty of the. There is much to recommend this book, which skilfully interweaves into a.
First published in 20 by viking, author dan jones tome documents the plantagenet line with a clear overview, an attention to detail, and a fine pen. The plantagenets documents a delicious period in english history. One of many popular theories suggests the blossom of common broom, a bright yellow gold flowering plant, genista in. In the plantagenets, dan jones reveals a british royal line in all its epic. The plantagenet dynasty ruled england for over three hundred years, from 1154. Hamilton should have chosen a more accurate title for the book.
The house of plantagenet was a royal house which originated from the lands of anjou in. The house of plantagenet held the english throne from 1154 with the accession of king henry ii until 1485 when richard iii was killed at the. How do we explain the success of englands longest running. The plantagenets are in the spotlight for a new bbc series and their 331 years on the throne created a fascinating but ferocious dynasty, says robert bartlett.
The plantagenets documents a delicious period in english. Richard of york, 3rd duke of york, adopted plantagenet as his family name in the 15th century. They include species commonly called broom, though the term may also refer to other genera, including cytisus and chamaecytisus. Plantagenets the name derives from the sprig of broom, planta genista, that geoffrey wore sat on the english throne for at least 250 years. King richard iiis reinterment carries grandeur of state. Plantapilosa means hairy shoot, which seemingly symbolised robust growth and regeneration. The plantagenets timeline of the kings and queens of england. Dan joness hefty book does not take us that far though he promises to, one. The warrior kings and queens who made england kindle edition. Plantagenet kings were thus the richest family in europe and ruled england and half of france. The book could have carried on to bosworth, jones admits at the outset. This dynasty is normally subdivided into three parts. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in. Their name came from planta genista, the latin for yellow broom flower, which the counts of anjou wore as an emblem on their helmets.
France and the term plantagenet perhaps from the broom plant planta genista used in the coat of arms of. The plantagenets as a dynasty do not fare well in this tally. The plantagenets is a wonderful gallop through english history. The duke of gloucester the queens cousin and the present holder of richards title before he became king carried an extraordinary book to lay near the foot of the coffin. Powerful personalities, vivid descriptions of battles and tournaments, ladies in fine velvet and knights in shining armour crowd the pages of this. The nickname comes from planta genista, or common broom plant that dates to henry iis father, geoffrey of anjou. The plantagenets collection ancient history encyclopedia. Anjou who enjoyed wearing yellow blossoms planta genista in his hair. Within a few years he had gained control of land from ireland to the auvergne and the plantagenets could justly claim what the historian martin aurell in the plantagenet. The nickname comes from planta genista, or common broom plant that dates to.