About Tudor Roses

Wars of the Roses

• The Tudor rose was created to represent a new dynasty and peace among English royalty. The Wars of the Roses took place between approximately 1455 and 1485. Upon wrestling the crown away from Richard III in battle, Henry Tudor of the House of Lancaster combined the badges of the combatants -- the red rose of the House of Lancaster and the white rose of the House of York.

Design

• The new king -- Henry VII -- married Elizabeth of York to unify the factions, further cementing the symbolism of the new emblem. The white rose of the House of York serves as the center of the flower, and the red rose of the House of Lancaster holds the outer edge. The design came to represent mutual respect, loyalty and allegiance to the crown.

Modern Usage

• The Tudor rose remains deeply entrenched in the culture of England. Its design may be seen on buildings, uniforms and even the currency. The Tudor rose is also the plant badge -- a flower or plant emblem denoting a nation -- of the country and is included in the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom.