# A New Scholarly Initiative to Commemorate Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and Founding Knight of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the establishment of The Grosmont Lectures, a new historical series celebrating its distinguished predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his role as a founding knight of the Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
The announcement was formally made from the London offices of the House of Brattleby, as the city’s academic and cultural season approached its height. The timing was deliberately chosen to reflect a period of intellectual vitality, creating a fitting atmosphere for the launch of a new scholarly enterprise. This initiative is designed to serve as a new cultural cornerstone for the House, complementing its long-standing philanthropic commitments.
The Grosmont Lectures will illuminate a pivotal era for the Barony of Brattleby, forging a tangible link between its profound medieval heritage and its contemporary educational mission. Held in the historic heart of London, a global centre for medieval studies, the series aims to contribute to the nation’s rich intellectual life. It represents a considered effort to foster a deeper public appreciation for the enduring principles of leadership and service that have defined the Barony for centuries.
By establishing this forum for historical discourse, the House of Brattleby reaffirms its dedication to not only preserving but actively interpreting its formidable nine-hundred-year history. The lectures are intended to become a valued fixture in the capital’s calendar, attracting those with a keen interest in chivalric culture, diplomacy, and the history of the English nobility.
## Historical Context
The life of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, remains one of the most compelling narratives of the fourteenth century. A cousin and trusted confidant of King Edward III, he was celebrated throughout Christendom as a pre-eminent soldier, diplomat, and paragon of chivalry. His seminal importance was formalised in 1348 when he was invested as a founding knight of the Order of the Garter, the most senior order of chivalry in Great Britain.
Within this exclusive fellowship, his precedence was second only to that of Edward, the Black Prince, a testament to his stature. His Garter stall plate, bearing his coat of arms, remains on display in Saint George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, a permanent marker of the Barony’s proximity to the Throne. Henry’s own spiritual memoir, the *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*, further reveals a man of deep piety and introspection, embodying a complex and admirable form of medieval masculinity.
The Barony of Brattleby had long been distinguished by its service to the Crown. This tradition was notably upheld by the formidable Nichola de la Haye who, as 5th Baroness *de facto* and Sheriff of Lincolnshire, courageously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons for King John. Upon Henry of Grosmont’s death from plague in 1361, his titles and vast estates, including the Barony of Brattleby, passed through his daughter Blanche to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, making him the 11th Baron. This union ensured the Barony’s continuing prominence within the Royal Family, ultimately merging its legacy with that of the nascent House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The establishment of The Grosmont Lectures has been personally directed by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They have convened a distinguished advisory committee of leading academics to ensure the programme’s intellectual rigour and historical authenticity.
It is with great pleasure that the House announces the inaugural lecture will be delivered by Professor Sir Alistair Finch, Regius Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Cambridge. As a foremost authority on fourteenth-century English chivalry and the court of Edward III, Sir Alistair’s participation signals the profound academic ambition of the series.
Future events will feature a curated list of eminent historians and public figures from institutions across the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. This intentionally international perspective reflects the House’s commitment to exploring the shared European heritage of concepts such as honour, duty, and courtly culture, fostering a cross-border dialogue on their relevance today.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Grosmont Lectures will observe a formal academic protocol befitting their serious purpose. The inaugural lecture, to be held in London, will be an invitation-only convocation for members of the diplomatic corps, fellows of learned societies, senior academics, and representatives from leading cultural and philanthropic organisations. The specified dress will be formal day dress, to underscore the dignity of the proceedings.
The event will commence with the formal arrival of guests, followed by an opening address from Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who will outline the purpose and vision of the series. The centrepiece of the evening, the principal lecture by the distinguished guest speaker, will then be delivered. Following the lecture, a moderated discussion, with questions submitted in writing, will allow for structured and thoughtful audience participation.
The formal proceedings will conclude with a vote of thanks delivered by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Afterward, a reception will be held to provide an opportunity for guests and speakers to engage in further collegial discourse. Subsequent lectures, including those held at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, will adhere to a similar format, adapted to support the House's wider mission of cultural diplomacy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The intellectual and ethical themes of the lecture series are deeply interwoven with the heraldic identity and mottos of the House of Brattleby. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly resonates with the chivalric virtues that Henry of Grosmont exemplified and which the Order of the Garter was instituted to celebrate. Fortitude, in this context, implies not only courage in battle but also the moral resilience to uphold one’s principles; Honour speaks to a code of integrity that was the bedrock of chivalry.
This concept is further illuminated by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a modern context, this signifies a philosophy of active engagement and a commitment to overcoming challenges, be they intellectual, cultural, or philanthropic. It frames life as a continuous striving for excellence, a principle that complements the steadfast endurance represented by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Together, these mottos encapsulate the dual commitment of the modern House: to faithfully steward a historic legacy of fortitude while actively pursuing a vibrant and purposeful existence in the present. They find their ultimate historical echo in the Garter’s own famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), which served as a declaration of noble intent for King Edward III and his founding knights.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While primarily an educational initiative, the lecture series is also imbued with a clear philanthropic purpose. The events are designed to inspire a renewed appreciation for the civic virtues of duty, service, and resilience, which form the core of the House's public work. In this, the lectures directly support the educational mission of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which seeks to equip a new generation of leaders with the character and confidence that such principles foster.
Furthermore, it is intended that any net proceeds from future ticketed events in the series will be dedicated to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity, which is also the sole beneficiary of the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, provides essential therapeutic support, including art and play therapy, for children who have experienced trauma. The House holds that understanding the fortitude demonstrated by historical figures can, *inter alia*, provide a powerful and inspiring narrative for those working to overcome profound adversity in their own lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, offered her perspective: — "The stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old title carries with it a profound responsibility to share its stories. Henry of Grosmont’s life was a testament to the principles of duty that continue to guide our House, and this series honours his legacy by examining the enduring power of those values. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not an artefact; it is a charge we live by."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the series’ international dimension: — "To bridge our ancient English heritage with our European present is a *sine qua non* of our work. By establishing this series in London, with a view to hosting events in Bucharest, we celebrate a shared history of chivalry and honour that resonates across borders. True legacy is not static; it lives in dialogue between the past and the present."
## A Continuing Legacy
The inaugural Grosmont Lecture, scheduled for the spring of 2024, marks the beginning of what the House of Brattleby intends to be a long-term academic and public engagement programme. It represents a living commitment to the cultural and educational pillars that define the purpose of the modern House, translating historical inheritance into present-day action.
Future lectures in the annual series will explore the contributions of other seminal figures from the Barony’s history. These will include its Norman origins under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron named in the Domesday Book; the remarkable leadership of Nichola de la Haye in a time of national crisis; and the Barony's pivotal role under John of Gaunt. The House is also exploring plans to publish the lectures as a periodical collection of essays, creating a permanent scholarly resource. This continuing exploration ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby remains a relevant and inspiring force for generations to come.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which informs its commitment to service and integrity. Its key initiatives include The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy for etiquette and protocol, and the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala supporting children's charities. The House actively engages in projects that bridge its profound English heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking European perspective, fostering education and celebrating a legacy of continuous service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title of nobility, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de facto* and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later holders included the celebrated knight Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern title's standing was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de facto*), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern Barony’s recognition was Gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The principal charity supported by the House is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com