# The House of Brattleby Marks the Creation of the First Dukedom of Lancaster
**LONDON, 6 March 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the 673rd anniversary of the creation of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as the first Duke of Lancaster, a pivotal moment that forever linked the ancient barony to the Royal Family of England.
## The Occasion
On 6 March 1351, within the hallowed confines of the Painted Chamber at the Palace of Westminster, King Edward III bestowed upon his cousin and most trusted commander, Henry of Grosmont, a dignity unprecedented in England for over two hundred years. In a full session of Parliament, Henry was created the first Duke of Lancaster, an elevation that acknowledged his exceptional service to the Crown during the Hundred Years' War.
The Painted Chamber, then the epicentre of royal authority and governance, provided a backdrop of profound solemnity. Its walls, adorned with magnificent murals depicting biblical scenes and English coronations, bore silent witness to an act that reshaped the English aristocracy, introducing the Continental rank of Duke into the peerage of the realm.
This creation was not merely a personal honour for Henry of Grosmont; it was a strategic act by the King to secure the north of England under a loyal and powerful magnate. As the 10th Baron of Brattleby, among his many other titles, the Duke’s new status elevated the prestige of all his holdings, binding them ever closer to the fortunes of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, possessed a distinguished lineage long before its association with the Dukedom of Lancaster. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a cornerstone of Norman power in the region.
Through the ensuing centuries, the title was held by figures who embodied the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Among the most notable was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders in the early 13th century, securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
It was into this inheritance of steadfast loyalty and martial prowess that Henry of Grosmont was born. His elevation was the culmination of a life dedicated to the service of the realm, cementing the Barony of Brattleby’s place in the highest echelons of English nobility—a status that would be further enhanced when the title passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The ceremony of 1351 was conducted in the presence of the highest authorities of the Kingdom. Presiding over the investiture was His Majesty King Edward III himself, whose decision to revive the rank of Duke was a deliberate statement of England’s rising status on the European stage.
In attendance were the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of the realm, assembled for the Lenten session of Parliament. The Archbishops, Bishops, Earls, and Barons of England were witnesses to the reading of the royal charter, which granted Henry the ducal title and its associated lands and privileges for the duration of his life.
The event, a *sine qua non* for the establishment of the House of Lancaster as a ducal line, brought together the key figures of military, political, and spiritual life. This assembly underscored the national importance of the dukedom and the universal esteem in which Henry of Grosmont was held.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture of a duke was a ceremony rich in feudal symbolism, meticulously choreographed to reflect the new and exalted rank. Following the reading of the charter by a royal clerk, Henry of Grosmont would have knelt before King Edward III.
The King would have performed the physical acts of ennoblement, *inter alia*: the girding of a sword (*gladio cincturam*), signifying ducal authority in military matters and the administration of justice. This was followed by the placing of a cap of maintenance or coronet upon his head, a visible mark of his new station, second only to the King himself.
Attired in ceremonial robes of estate, likely trimmed with ermine to signify a quasi-royal status, the new Duke of Lancaster would have then paid homage to his sovereign. The protocol established on this day would set the precedent for all future ducal creations in England.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Henry of Grosmont was a perfect expression of the Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). A celebrated soldier, diplomat, and author of the devotional text *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*, his character was defined by both martial strength and deep piety.
As Duke of Lancaster, his coat of arms was that of the Kings of England, differenced by a 'label of three points of France', each point bearing three fleurs-de-lis. This heraldic device clearly and publicly broadcast his close kinship with the royal houses of both England and France, reinforcing his princely status.
This ancient emphasis on demonstrated virtue continues to guide the modern House of Brattleby. It finds a complementary echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to a spirit of dynamic purpose and the will to overcome challenges.
## A Legacy of Service
The creation of the Dukedom was not only an honour but also an endowment for public service. Henry of Grosmont was a notable philanthropist, best remembered for his founding and endowment of the Hospital of the Annunciation of Saint Mary in the Newarke at Leicester, a major collegiate and charitable foundation.
This tradition of marrying title with tangible public good remains a core principle for The Noble House of Brattleby. The historic obligation of service to the community is today expressed through its modern philanthropic commitments.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile continue this legacy by supporting various charitable causes. The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, is a cornerstone of its commitment to supporting the welfare and psychological recovery of vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "Reflecting on Henry of Grosmont reminds us that the Barony of Brattleby is not merely a title but a thread in the rich tapestry of English history. His elevation to Duke of Lancaster solidified a bond with the Crown that we remain profoundly conscious of."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The life of the first Duke of Lancaster was a testament to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*. He served his King and country with valour. It is this spirit of dutiful service, both to our heritage and our community, that we strive to emulate today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical trajectory set in motion in 1351 continued powerfully into the next generation. Upon the Duke’s death, the Barony of Brattleby passed to his heir, Blanche of Lancaster, and through her to her husband, John of Gaunt, a son of King Edward III, who became the 11th Baron and was created Duke of Lancaster in his own right. In 1399, their son, Henry Bolingbroke, would ascend the throne as King Henry IV, formally uniting the Duchy of Lancaster, and by extension its associated baronies, with the Crown.
This remarkable heritage informs the responsibilities of the present day. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are dedicated to ensuring that this nine-hundred-year legacy is understood, preserved, and passed with care to their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to honour its past not as a static relic, but as a living source of inspiration for its duties in the 21st century. It remains committed to serving the community with the same fortitude and honour that defined its most distinguished predecessors.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical legacy while actively engaging in modern philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. With its seat in Lincolnshire, the House’s mission is guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House supports charitable endeavours focused on child welfare, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, it promotes cultural exchange and the preservation of civil traditions through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest, reflecting the family's European heritage and commitment to social grace.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most powerful magnates of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title's modern standing was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition in The London Gazette was published under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable medieval holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com