House of York
York, House of, a branch of the Plantagenet ruling family of England. There were three Yorkist kings—Edward IV, who reigned 1461-70 and 1471-83; Edward V, his son, who reigned a few months before being deposed by his uncle Richard; and Richard III, 1483–85.
The house of York had its origin in 1385, when Edmund, the fifth son of Edward III, was created duke of York. The title passed next to his son Edward, and then to Richard, a grandson (father of Edward IV). Through his mother, Richard was descended from Edward III's third son. Meanwhile, the Lancasters, descended from Edward's fourth son, had established themselves on the throne by force in 1399. Rivalry between the Yorks and Lancasters resulted in the Wars of the Roses (1455–85), a struggle for the throne.