The Plantagenets were a royal dynasty that ruled England from the 12th to the 15th centuries. They originated from the French region of Anjou and became prominent after Henry II ascended to the throne in 1154. The dynasty is known for significant events, including the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 and the conflicts of the Hundred Years' War. The Plantagenet line produced several notable monarchs, including Richard the Lionheart and King John. Their reign saw the expansion of English territories and the development of the legal system. The dynasty ended with the Wars of the Roses, leading to the rise of the Tudors.