The Plantagenet Society: Preserving the Legacy of a Royal Dynasty

The Plantagenet Society was founded to honor and preserve the heritage of one of the most influential royal families in European history—the House of Plantagenet, which ruled England from 1154 to 1485. This society brings together descendants, historians, and enthusiasts of medieval English history who share a deep appreciation for the dynasty that shaped the foundations of the English nation.

Formation of the Society

The Plantagenet Society was organized as part of a growing international interest in hereditary and royal lineage societies. The founders—genealogists and historians with proven descents from Plantagenet monarchs—sought to create a society devoted to the study and commemoration of England’s medieval kings and queens, their courts, and their far-reaching descendants.

The society’s formation reflected a broader trend of lineage organizations that connect modern individuals to medieval or noble ancestry, such as the Order of the Crown of Charlemagne, the Baronial Order of Magna Charta, and the Order of the Merovingian Dynasty.

Mission and Purpose

The mission of the Plantagenet Society is both genealogical and educational:

To identify, document, and honor descendants of the Plantagenet dynasty;
To encourage scholarly study of the Plantagenet period (1154–1485), including its art, law, religion, and politics;
To preserve historical and genealogical records related to the royal family and their noble descendants;
To promote fellowship among members who share this ancestral connection.

Through lectures, publications, and preservation efforts, the Society provides a forum where history and genealogy meet.

Membership

Membership in the Plantagenet Society is open to men and women who can prove lineal descent from any of the Plantagenet kings of England or their legitimate descendants.

Qualifying ancestors include:

King Henry II (1133–1189) and Eleanor of Aquitaine;
Their sons Richard I (“the Lionheart”) and King John;
Successors including Henry III, Edward I, Edward II, Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, and Richard III;
Legitimate descendants through cadet lines such as the houses of Lancaster and York.

Applicants must provide documentary proof of each generational link through recognized genealogical sources (such as Burke’s Peerage, The Complete Peerage, and Royal Ancestry by Douglas Richardson).

Activities and Contributions

The Plantagenet Society maintains a strong focus on both heritage celebration and scholarly contribution. Its activities include:

Hosting lectures and symposia on medieval history and genealogy;
Supporting the preservation of medieval manuscripts, coats of arms, and royal tombs;
Publishing research articles and genealogical studies in historical journals;
Participating in commemorative events tied to Plantagenet anniversaries, including those of Magna Carta (1215), the Wars of the Roses, and the Battle of Bosworth Field (1485).

Through its work, the society connects the grandeur of medieval monarchy with the meticulous discipline of modern genealogy.

Historical Context: The Plantagenet Legacy

The Plantagenet dynasty ruled England for over 300 years, from the accession of Henry II in 1154 to the death of Richard III at Bosworth in 1485. During this time, the monarchy expanded English law, government, and influence.

The era saw the signing of Magna Carta, the rise of Parliament, the Hundred Years’ War, and the flowering of medieval architecture and literature. The dynasty’s fall—ushered in by the Tudor victory—marked the end of the Middle Ages and the dawn of modern England.

It is this enduring historical importance that the Plantagenet Society seeks to preserve and honor.

Conclusion

The Plantagenet Society bridges the past and present, linking today’s genealogists and history enthusiasts with one of the most formative dynasties in Western history. Through research, preservation, and fellowship, it keeps alive the legacy of the monarchs who defined medieval England—rulers whose bloodlines continue to run through countless descendants worldwide.

In honoring the Plantagenets, the society preserves not just royal heritage, but the enduring story of a family that helped forge modern Britain and influence the world beyond.