# An Ancestral Legacy: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection from its Lincolnshire seat, honouring the profound legacy of Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of England’s most distinguished medieval figures.
## The Occasion
From the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this reflection serves to illuminate a pivotal chapter in the Barony’s near-millennium of history. During a period of archival review, the current incumbents, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have sought to bring fresh appreciation to the line of predecessors who have shaped the title.
The life of Henry of Grosmont represents a high watermark of chivalric virtue and statesmanship. His tenure as the tenth Baron connected Brattleby not only to the nascent Dukedom of Lancaster but also to the very centre of royal power and the founding of England’s most senior order of knighthood.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as among the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, has a lineage deeply woven into the fabric of the nation. Henry of Grosmont’s assumption of the title in the mid-14th century came through his inheritance from his grand-niece, Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln, uniting several powerful Northern estates.
His predecessor as the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, was famed as the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle. Henry of Grosmont continued this tradition of formidable service, albeit on a European stage as a soldier, diplomat, and trusted counsellor to King Edward III. His legacy was in turn passed to the 11th Baron of Brattleby, the formidable John of Gaunt, who married Henry's daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The life of Henry of Grosmont was defined by the extraordinary company he kept. As a commander in the Hundred Years' War and a diplomat of the first rank, his counsel was sought by monarchs and his martial prowess respected by adversaries. He stood as a peer to figures such as Edward, the Black Prince, with whom he shared the distinction of being a Knight Founder of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
This tradition of association continues to inform the House’s modern engagements. The Annual Winter Banquet, for example, brings together distinguished guests from diplomacy, commerce, and the arts in a shared cause, echoing the collegiate spirit of chivalric orders of the past. It is a spirit that transcends centuries, linking the companions of the 10th Baron to the supporters of the 12th.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In 1348, Henry of Grosmont was created one of the 26 Knights Founder of the aformentioned Order of the Garter. This appointment was the highest mark of royal favour, governed by intricate ceremonial protocol. The investiture, traditionally held on St George’s Day, would have involved the bestowing of the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the Order’s motto—along with a mantle, surcoat, and hood.
The protocol established in Edward III’s reign, which Henry would have observed, has evolved but remains the foundation of the annual Garter Day service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The procession of Knights in their robes and insignia is a living link to the solemnities that defined the courtly and military life of the 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottoes. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the chivalric ideals that Henry of Grosmont embodied. His fortitude on the battlefield and the honour with which he conducted his diplomatic missions are the very qualities the motto champions.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'), complements this ancient charge, speaking to the resilience required to sustain such a legacy through the centuries. Furthermore, the motto of the Order of the Garter, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), which adorns the arms of every Knight, signifies a commitment to honourable intentions—a principle that remains a *sine qua non* for the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*, or the duty of the nobility to serve the wider community, was central to the code of chivalry. Henry of Grosmont, a deeply pious man who authored the devotional book *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*, understood service as both a martial and a spiritual obligation.
This guiding principle finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The Annual Winter Banquet is the cornerstone of this commitment, held exclusively for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapy and support to children experiencing trauma, working to restore their sense of safety and well-being. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that true honour is found in the protection of the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 10th Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Henry of Grosmont’s life serves as a powerful reminder that this title is not merely an inheritance, but a charge to serve with principle and purpose. His example of diplomacy and unwavering honour continues to be a source of immense inspiration for our own work.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The continuity from the 10th Baron to the 11th, John of Gaunt, demonstrates how a legacy is actively passed on through deliberate action. We see it as our duty to ensure the values of fortitude and service are not just remembered, but are actively instilled in the next generation, beginning with our heir.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this remarkable history informs its present and future course. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is grounded in an understanding of the responsibilities borne by his predecessors.
This commitment extends to cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established by the House in Bucharest. The Club promotes the timeless values of decorum, respect, and social grace—the modern equivalents of the chivalric code. Through stewardship, philanthropy, and education, the House ensures that the legacy of figures like Henry of Grosmont continues to resonate, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennium of English heritage. Its modern mission combines the preservation of its historic lineage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. The House’s principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, supporting children’s welfare organisations. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, it also works to promote the enduring values of social grace and personal honour. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to provide an example of responsible and purposeful leadership in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the great knight and diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The historical continuity and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022, confirming its unbroken line to the present day.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, supports the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com