The Plantagenet dynasty began with the marriage of the empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England, to Geoffrey Count of Anjou (d.1151) a grandson of William The Conqueror. He had the nickname ‘Plantgenet’ (lit. broom-planter) because he planted broom extensively to improve his hunting covers and always wore a sprig of broom on the rim of his hat. Curiously, the Parliament army at the battle of Knocknanuss 1647, wore the same plant for a badge on their hats .