The House of Lancaster was a royal house in England that played a significant role during the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars for control of the English throne. It was founded by John of Gaunt, the third son of King Edward III, and its symbol was a red rose. The house produced several notable kings, including Henry IV and Henry V. The conflict between the House of Lancaster and the House of York ultimately led to the downfall of the Lancastrian line. The last Lancastrian king, Henry VI, was deposed in 1461, marking a significant shift in English history as the Yorkists took control.