The House of Plantagenet (1154–1485) was the royal house of all the English kings from Henry II to Richard III, including the Angevin kings and the houses of Lancaster and York. In addition to the traditional judicial, feudal and military roles of the king, the Plantagenets had duties to the realm that were underpinned by a sophisticated justice system. They were often forced to agree to constraints on royal power, such as Magna Carta, in return for financial and military support. During their reigns, a distinct national identity was shaped by conflict with the French, Scots, Welsh and Irish, and by the establishment of English as the primary language. In the 15th century, the Plantagenets were defeated in France in the Hundred Years' War and beset with social, political and economic problems. Revolts were triggered by politics and by the denial of freedoms. English nobles raised private armies, engaged in private feuds and openly defied Henry VI. Rivalry between the Yorkists and Lancastrians erupted into the Wars of the Roses. After Richard III's death ended the reign of the Plantagenets, Henry VII founded the Tudor dynasty.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Plantagenet

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1453:

With the conquest of Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottomans. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire

1852:

Swedish operatic soprano Jenny Lind concluded a successful concert tour of the US under the management of showman P. T. Barnum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Lind_tour_of_America,_1850%E2%80%9352

1913:

During the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, the avant-garde nature of the music and choreography caused a near-riot in the audience. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rite_of_Spring

1954:

The first annual Bilderberg Group meeting of leaders from European countries and the United States took place in Oosterbeek, Netherlands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg_Group

1982:

Falklands War: Approximately 1,000 Argentine troops surrendered, ending the Battle of Goose Green. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Goose_Green

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

daimon: A tutelary spirit that guides a person; a demon, a genius, a lar. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/daimon

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie — deliberate, contrived and dishonest — but the myth — persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.   --John F. Kennedy https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy