The Earl of Lancaster was a title in the English nobility, first created in the 13th century. The title was associated with the region of Lancashire and played a significant role in the political landscape of medieval England. The most notable holder of the title was Henry of Lancaster, who became King Henry IV of England. The title was often linked to the Plantagenet dynasty and was influential during the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars for control of the English throne. The title eventually became extinct in the 17th century, but its legacy continues to be recognized in British history.