The decorative white rose from the facade of the White Rose Bar & Grill came down recently, to be replanted at nearby Sovereign Bank Stadium. Background posts: Revs will easily pass 1969's full-season attendance stats and Baseball's Methuselah played for White Roses and 'That's a stupid question;' Brooksie played second base.
The 12-foot-long white rose that hung above the main entrance of the White Rose Bar & Grill in York is no more.
It will be moved to a prominent place at Sovereign Bank Stadium.
The ongoing presence of a giant white rose somewhere in the White Rose City makes sense.
But how many people know the story of why York, Pa., is named the White Rose City? ...
York and east-of-the-Susquehanna counterpart Lancaster drew their names from east-of-America counterparts in England.
These English cities fought in the War of the Roses that ended in 1485 when Henry VII of Lancaster defeated Richard III of York.
That led to the marriage of Elizabeth of York to Henry VII. That led to family unity but also led to the birth of the terrifying Henry VIII.
The English competition has transferred into a usually friendly rivalry this side of the Atlantic.
Lancaster, on top in England, also was established before York in America.
Lancaster County formed in 1729, and York County withdrew from Lancaster County in 1749.
Lancaster became a borough in 1742, and York did not incorporate until 1787.
When did the two Pennsylvania towns adopt the "red rose" and "white rose" themes?
That's not clear, but those themes came into play at least as early in 1923 when York prepared an enormous white rose arrangement for U.S. President Warren G. Harding's funeral train bearing the inscription: "With Sympathy from the White Rose City, York, Pennsylvania."
As seems common in the rivalry between the two cities, York's bid fell short.
Its tribute was sent on ahead to Harrisburg because Harding's train was not supposed to stop in York.
Lancaster's tribute got on the train in York.
In 2008, the Lancaster Barnstormers finished 50th in attendance among all minor league baseball teams. The York Revolution came in at 57th, in only its second year.
But York made its mark.
Its attendance increased by more than one third, second in minor league baseball.
Where's Lancaster?
And bet the Barnstormers don't have a 12-foot Red Rose.
Sorry buddy, but I'm going to have to pick you up on a few things here, being the proud Yorkshireman that I am! You see, nobody truly won the war. It was brought to an end when Henry married Elizabeth of York, uniting the two sides, and providing a legitimate excuse to forsake what had been an extrememly bloody, and effectively pointless, conflict. There were small Yorkist rebellions afterwards, but these in no way represented the full strength of the cause, the more influential of the white rose supporters having chosen the path of compromise; as had the Lancastrians.
Thanks
The Editor.
www.theyorkshirepatriot.wordpress.com
The following information comes from an small & old card which was handed out to visitors of York, Pa. years ago. I have not verified the origin or authenticity of the information.
YORK, THE WHITE ROSE CITY
Along with the name of old York, York Pennsylvania, adopted the symbol of the English city, the white rose, while the neighboring city of Lancaster Pennsylvania, similarly adopted the red rose.
The symbol of the white rose dates from the War of the Roses (1455-1471) in which two powerful houses of York and Lancaster struggled to gain possession of the Throne of England.
Richard Duke of York, while walking in the Temple Gardens in London with a company of nobles was endeavoring to persuade them to take up arms on his behalf. Seeing that the nobles were unwilling to commit themselves, he said, “Ah, I see you are afraid to speak out. Give me a sign. Show which side you favor. From this brier pluck a white rose with me.”
Immediately, a number of nobles plucked white roses and thrust them into their caps. Seeing this the Duke of Somerset, who was of the House of Lancaster, sprang forward and tearing a red rose from another bush, exclaimed, “ Those who take my side from off the thorn pluck a red rose with me.”
The knights championing his cause put red roses in their caps. The nobles separated in anger and rallied their armies for the struggle, which continued intermittently for seventeen years.
With the Battle of Bosworth Field, the Wars of the Roses came to an end. Henry VII wed the White Rose Princess, Elizabeth of York, sister of the little princess murdered in the Tower, and thus the two rival houses were united.
To correct this article, the Barnstormers won the championship their inaugural year and two more shortly after. Attendance was up then and I recall Barnstormers being around 21st (12th at another time) in attendance and The Revolution's field was being built. After a few players moved on to the MLB, the Barnstormers dropped to about 52nd and The Revolution opened their gates around that time.... read up on your stats. Both teams are great teams and why are people still bickering about nonsense?? York and Lancaster are two fine counties and we should leave it at that!! Both are Rose cities.... like brother and sister.... NO MORE FUEDING GEEZ!!
I didn't see it as a feud but a friendly rivalry.
Minor league baseball has been good for both cities.
Jim McClure