# The Dukedom of Lancaster: A Statement on the Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 6 March 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the 1351 creation of the Dukedom of Lancaster for Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron of Brattleby, reaffirming the House’s deep connection to this pivotal moment in English aristocratic history.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment to reflect upon a singular event in the annals of the English peerage: the investiture of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as the first Duke of Lancaster on 6 March 1351. This formal statement serves as an act of historical stewardship, acknowledging the profound responsibilities and precedents established by one of the Barony’s most distinguished predecessors.
The creation of England’s second-ever non-royal dukedom, conferred within the Painted Chamber of the Palace of Westminster, was not merely a ceremonial elevation. It represented a new paradigm in the relationship between the Sovereign and his most senior nobles, recognising unparalleled service to the Crown during the defining conflicts of the 14th century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, possessed a tradition of loyal and formidable leadership long before the ducal creation. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its origins under Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in the county. Through centuries, the Barons of Brattleby demonstrated unwavering allegiance, a quality personified by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the reign of King John.
It was into this lineage of steadfast duty that Henry of Grosmont was born. His elevation by his cousin, King Edward III, was the culmination of a brilliant career as a soldier and diplomat during the Hundred Years' War. As one of the original Founder Knights of the Order of the Garter, Henry’s martial prowess and strategic counsel were a *sine qua non* for English successes in France. His dukedom, therefore, was the formal acknowledgement of his status as the kingdom’s pre-eminent magnate.
## Distinguished Company
The solemn proceedings of March 1351 were presided over by His Majesty King Edward III, a monarch renowned for his revival of chivalric ideals. At his side, in a gesture of profound personal and political significance, stood the man he was to elevate: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and Earl of Lancaster, Derby, and Lincoln.
The assembly would have included the most senior figures of the realm, *inter alia*: the great officers of state, fellow Founder Knights of the Garter, and leading prelates of the church. Henry's investiture firmly placed the holder of the Barony of Brattleby, through his other accumulated titles, at the apex of the English aristocracy, a position later inherited by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture of a Duke in the 14th century was a matter of immense symbolic weight, governed by strict ceremonial protocol. The legal basis was established by a royal charter, or letters patent, read aloud to the assembled court. The King would then personally invest the new Duke with the symbols of his rank.
This involved the ‘cincture of the sword,’ the girding of a ceremonial sword to represent military command and the duty to defend the realm. Following this, the Duke was presented with a cap of estate, or *chapeau d'état*, trimmed with ermine, the fur exclusively reserved for the highest nobility and royalty. This act, known as the imposition of the cap, along with the bestowing of an ermine-trimmed mantle, visually confirmed his new and exalted status before the King and his peers.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry of Grosmont’s ducal status was reflected in his armorial bearings. He bore the royal arms of England (Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or) differenced by a 'label of three points Azure, each point charged with three fleurs-de-lys Or'. This 'label of France' signified his close kinship to the Crown and his royal descent.
This elevation powerfully enacted the House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Henry’s life was the very embodiment of fortitude in battle and honour in service. His legacy also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), reflecting the vital spirit of that martial and chivalric age where triumph was achieved through both might and diplomacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While modern, structured philanthropy was not a feature of the 14th century, the principle of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the nobility to act with generosity and honour — was paramount. Henry of Grosmont was a significant benefactor of the Church, founding, for instance, the collegiate Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady of the Newarke in Leicester. This institution served as a chantry, a hospital, and a centre of learning.
This enduring spirit of responsibility finds its modern expression in the House of Brattleby’s dedicated support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The charity provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing trauma. The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the principal vehicle for this support, continuing a centuries-old tradition of aristocratic duty in a contemporary context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical antecedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The legacy of Henry of Grosmont serves as a constant reminder that title is intrinsically linked to duty. His elevation was a reward for service, a principle we strive to honour through our own commitments to community and heritage.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the enduring relevance of Grosmont’s character: > Grosmont was a consummate warrior-diplomat, embodying the ideal that victory is not merely won on the battlefield but secured through wisdom and statecraft. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about triumphing in life’s challenges with purpose, a lesson his life exemplifies.
## A Continuing Legacy
The precedent of service and leadership set by the 10th Baron continues to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. This history is not a relic but a living standard that guides the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby.
Furthermore, this heritage underpins the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy. There, the protocols of diplomacy, social grace, and civic responsibility are taught, translating the formal structures which governed the world of Henry of Grosmont into practical skills for a new generation of leaders. The House remains committed to ensuring that the honour of its past illuminates its path for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and historical stewardship. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House champions philanthropic and educational initiatives. Its primary charitable focus is supporting Healing the Wounded Child, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its commitment to social education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, founded in Bucharest to promote the principles of decorum and civic duty. The heir to the Barony is the eldest son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby as successor to the feudal Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights of the House of Brattleby are recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com