York is white and Lancaster is red.

The Oxford Companion to English Lit has this entry:

The prolonged struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster, whose 
badges were respectively a white and a red rose.  the wars began  in 1455 
in Henry VI's reign and ended with the defeat and death of Richard III at 
Bosworth in 1485, and the accession of Henry VII who, by marrying 
Elizabeth of York, united the two lines.

For what it's worth.

Now I need to study it, though, because the "little white rose" is a symbol 
of Scotland.

Is there a Medievalist among us?
Nancy
 

ate sent:      	Wed, 22 May 2002 21:10:48 -0400
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From:           	"Rickard A. Parker" <[log in to unmask]>
To:             	tse listproc <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:        	Royal Rose

Could someone please discuss the Royal Rose some more.

I'm familar with the red and white roses of the War of the Roses (but I
constantly forget which was for the House of York and which for the House
of Lancaster).  As far as I know though the rose as the symbol of royality
died out with the dynasty.  I can't recall seeing the rose used with the
House of Windsor.

Did Eliot only intend to include the ancient royalty?

Regards,
    Rick Parker