The Tudor rose was first used by Henry VII, the first Tudor king, who came to the throne in 1485 after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Henry VII married Elizabeth of York, the daughter of Edward IV, thereby uniting the two rival branches of the Plantagenet dynasty. The Tudor rose was used as a symbol of this union, and it became the official emblem of the Tudor dynasty.
The Tudor rose continued to be used as a heraldic symbol by subsequent Tudor monarchs. It was featured on the royal coat of arms, on coins and other royal artifacts, and in architecture and decorative arts. The Tudor rose also became a popular motif in English literature and art, and it is still widely recognized as a symbol of England and the Tudor period.
Here are some additional meanings and associations of the Tudor rose:
* Love and passion: The red and white roses are often associated with love and passion, and the Tudor rose is sometimes seen as a symbol of romantic love.
* Unity and harmony: The union of the red and white roses symbolizes unity and harmony, and the Tudor rose is often seen as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.
* Strength and power: The Tudor rose is also seen as a symbol of strength and power, as it represents the union of two powerful families and the establishment of a new dynasty.
* National identity: The Tudor rose is a symbol of national identity and English heritage, and it continues to be used in various contexts to represent England and Englishness.