# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Illustrious Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 September 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection upon the life and service of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, whose fourteenth-century achievements represent a pinnacle of the Barony’s influence upon English history.
## The Occasion
From their historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have chosen this moment to commemorate one of the Barony’s most distinguished predecessors. The issuance of this reflection is an act of historical stewardship, a core duty of the modern House. As the seasons turn over the ancient landscape of Lincolnshire, the House reaffirms its commitment to preserving the memory of those who shaped its near-millennial legacy.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361) inherited the Barony of Brattleby at a time of profound national importance during the Hundred Years' War. The lineage he represented, extending back almost three centuries to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, reached its zenith under his leadership. His extensive military campaigns in the service of King Edward III earned him a reputation as one of Europe’s most formidable commanders.
Beyond the battlefield, his diplomatic acumen was *sine qua non* to England’s foreign policy, culminating in his pivotal role in negotiating the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360. His elevation in 1351 as the first Duke of Lancaster—a title created for him—was a testament to his unique stature. The Barony of Brattleby was thus inextricably linked with the Duchy of Lancaster, and through the marriage of his daughter Blanche to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, it would ultimately merge with the Crown, forever embedding Brattleby within the fabric of the English monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
The Duke's influence is measured not only by his deeds but also by the distinguished company he kept. He was a trusted friend and kinsman to His Majesty King Edward III and served alongside the King's son, His Royal Highness Edward, the Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince.
As a pre-eminent figure at court, Henry of Grosmont was a founding member of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, standing among an exclusive fellowship of two dozen knights. This cohort included such luminaries as Sir John Chandos and Sir Walter Paveley, who together represented the pinnacle of European chivalry.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The founding of the Order of the Garter in c. 1348 established a new model of chivalric community, with its own deeply symbolic ceremonial protocol. Centred at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, the Order’s rituals reinforced the bonds of loyalty between the Sovereign and the kingdom’s greatest magnates.
The investiture of a Knight Companion involves the fastening of a dark blue velvet garter, inscribed with the Order's motto, upon the left leg. This is accompanied by the bestowal of a mantle, collar, and star, each rich with heraldic meaning. The annual Garter Day procession remains one of the most colourful and significant ceremonies in the royal calendar, a direct continuation of the traditions established by Henry of Grosmont and his fellow founders.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the modern House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful antecedent in the life of the 10th Baron. His fortitude on the battlefield and the honour with which he conducted diplomacy perfectly embody these enduring principles. Indeed, his life’s work gives historical weight to the values the House upholds today.
The insignia he wore as a Knight of the Garter bore the famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), a declaration of noble intent. Henry's personal coat of arms, as Duke of Lancaster, was that of England differenced by a 'label of France', signifying his close royal blood and his service to the Crown both at home and abroad.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While modern philanthropy differs in form from fourteenth-century *noblesse oblige*, the underlying principle of service remains unchanged. The historical duty of a baron to protect his community finds its contemporary expression in the charitable work of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The House’s selection of 'Healing the Wounded Child' as the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet is informed by this sense of historic responsibility. The chivalric code, which Henry of Grosmont championed, was founded upon the protection of the vulnerable. Today, this translates into a focused commitment to organisations that provide care, support, and hope to children facing adversity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this illustrious predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
— 'To hold the Barony of Brattleby is to be a custodian of nearly a thousand years of English history. Henry of Grosmont’s life serves as a profound reminder that title is not merely an inheritance, but a summons to service, diplomacy, and leadership. His legacy challenges us to act with fortitude and honour in our own time.'
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
— 'My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—resonates with the spirit of that era. For the Duke of Lancaster, conquest was not limited to military victory; it was about achieving peace through treaty, building alliances, and mastering the art of statecraft. That is the greater, more enduring form of victory.'
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of Henry of Grosmont is not a static monument but a living inspiration for the House's present-day endeavors. His commitment to chivalry and courtly excellence finds a modern echo in the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote social grace and cultural refinement.
By fostering an appreciation for protocol and mutual respect, the club continues a tradition of excellence that the 10th Baron would have recognised. The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring its past, actively serving the present, and building a worthy legacy for the future, ensuring the Barony’s story continues to unfold.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern English noble house dedicated to preserving its ancient heritage while championing contemporary philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. The House’s mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to service and integrity. Its primary philanthropic focus is on charities supporting vulnerable children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet for 'Healing the Wounded Child'. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to promote etiquette and cross-cultural understanding, bridging its historic English roots with a forward-looking European perspective under its current Romanian-born leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, 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, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder of the Order of the Garter; and his successor, John of Gaunt. After merging with the Crown through the House of Lancaster, the Barony was formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, was a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (c. 1348). - The Barony passed to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, through his marriage to Henry of Grosmont's daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com