What marks the beginning or end of a British Royal House? e.g. House of Tudor

star_gazer

The simple answer is birth right. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tudor_dynasty Apr 20 11, 2:38 PM

Baloo55th

Often it's when the new monarch isn't a close relation of the previous one - like when Henry VII gained the crown. Although of the royal line (through John of Gaunt), he was also from a Welsh line, the Tudor family. As his royalty came through the female line, his surname was Tudor. The line came to an end with Liz I, and the Stewarts came in. Once again, their claim to the English throne came through a female line. Same again with the Hanovers. On the other hand, The change to Saxe-Coburg-Gotha came from Prince Albert being the father of Edward VII - 'surnames' descend from the male side. The change to Windsor was political and, like the previous change from Hanover, didn't involve an actual change of House - merely what it was called. The succession was in close or direct line. It can be fun to look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_succession_to_the_British_Throne and decide where a new House would result from a lower placed potential successor getting to the top. Incidentally, the top 50 contains the rather unusual (in UK royal terms) names Zenouska, Flora, Cassius, Columbus, Cosima, Savannah and Zara. King Columbus? Could happen. (Unlikely, though.) Currently he's Columbus Taylor and ranked at 33. Could be the House of Taylor, unless Windsor was retained. Apr 20 11, 3:37 PM