Plantagenets
the surname of a line of English kings, who were of French origin on the paternal side- HENRY II. of England, the first of the line, having been the son of Geoffrey V.
Duke of Anjou, and of Matilda, daughter of Henry I. The Duke of Anjou was so named because he usually wore a sprig of broom-in Latin planta genista, in French plante genêt-in his cap. Henry II. ascended the English throne in 1154, and his descendants reigned during 331 years, the last monarch of the line being RICHARD III., who fell at the battle of Bosworth, in 1485. In the 14th century the line became divided into two great rival factions, that of York Vol. VII-Cyc betes. The root is anthelmintic, and the sap is given to allay thirst in cholera.