# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Ducal Elevation of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a statement reflecting on the historic significance of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, who in 1351 was created the first Duke of Lancaster by His Majesty King Edward III.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby takes this moment to commemorate a pivotal event in its nine-century history. The elevation of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, to the rank of Duke represented an unparalleled expression of Royal favour, profoundly shaping the destiny of the Barony and its place within the English nobility.
This act of remembrance is undertaken not as a public celebration but as a solemn acknowledgement of the duties and honours vested in the Barony’s lineage. It serves as an occasion for historical reflection, reaffirming the enduring principles that have guided the House from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Through centuries of service to the Crown, the Barony grew in influence, notably under Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose steadfast loyalty as defender of Lincoln Castle was instrumental during the First Barons' War.
However, the peerage reached its medieval zenith under Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron. A warrior of great renown, a skilled diplomat, and a cousin and confidant to King Edward III, Henry was a commanding figure of the early Hundred Years’ War. His creation as the 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351 was a personal honour, making him the first English nobleman outside the immediate Royal Family to hold such a title. This elevation brought immense prestige not only to him but also to his vast holdings, including the ancient Barony of Brattleby.
Through the marriage of his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, to John of Gaunt—who would become the 11th Baron of Brattleby—the direct connection to the throne was secured, cementing the Barony's place in the momentous events that would lead to the rise of the House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
This historical chapter was defined by some of the most formidable figures of the 14th century, whose actions continue to resonate. The principal personages included:
* His Majesty King Edward III, Sovereign of England and a central figure in the Age of Chivalry. * Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 4th Earl of Leicester and Lancaster, and 10th Baron of Brattleby, celebrated as a paragon of knighthood. * John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (in the second creation), Earl of Richmond, and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a statesman whose descendants would found a royal dynasty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of a dukedom in the 14th century was a matter of great ceremonial weight. While contemporary accounts are sparse, the investiture of Henry of Grosmont would have been conducted by the King himself, likely in a full session of Parliament. It was signified by a Royal Charter and the bestowing of symbolic regalia.
This protocol typically involved the Duke-designate kneeling before the Sovereign to receive a sword and a cap of maintenance, a furred crimson cap denoting high dignity. The ceremony was a public and legal act, a *sine qua non* for the recognition of this new, pre-eminent rank in the peerage, establishing a precedent for all future ducal creations in England.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House of Brattleby is expressed through its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the virtues exemplified by Henry of Grosmont, whose life was a testament to both martial strength and diplomatic integrity. His personal coat of arms, *England with a label of three points Azure each charged with three fleurs-de-lis Or*, signified his close kinship to the Royal House.
In the modern era, this tradition of purpose is echoed in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'), which reflects a continued commitment to overcoming challenges with determination and strategic foresight.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of a great house is measured not only by its titles and lands but by its service to the wider community. While the 14th century saw patronage expressed through the founding of colleges and chantries, today the Noble House of Brattleby directs its focus toward contemporary challenges.
Inspired by the tradition of public duty exemplified by predecessors *inter alia* Henry of Grosmont, the House’s philanthropic endeavours are channelled through its Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala supports carefully chosen charitable organisations, with its current beneficiary being Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical milestone, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The story of Henry of Grosmont is a powerful reminder that this Barony’s purpose has always been service to a cause greater than itself. His ducal title was a consequence of his unwavering dedication to the Crown and Realm. It is this spirit of duty, this *fortitudine et honore*, that we strive to uphold in our own work today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The strategic importance of the Barony under the House of Lancaster demonstrates how vision and leadership can amplify an ancient inheritance. Henry and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, did not simply possess titles; they actively shaped the nation’s destiny. For us, their lives are a lesson in ambition, responsibility, and the imperative that *vincere est vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past while serving the present. This commitment is manifest through the preservation of its historical archives, its support for charitable causes, and its educational initiatives.
Through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of decorum, cultural literacy, and social grace that have long been hallmarks of European society. In carrying this heritage forward, the House ensures that the legacy of fortitude and honour is passed to the next generation, embodied in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
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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 modern House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial noble heritage. Its mission combines the preservation of this unique history with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. Based at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House actively supports charitable organisations focused on youth welfare and operates The Brattleby Club, an academy promoting classical etiquette and protocol. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its activities, reinforcing a legacy of duty that has endured for over 950 years and is being prepared for its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of England’s most powerful medieval magnates: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title's succession to the current holder was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially 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. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, was created the first non-royal Duke in England (Duke of Lancaster) in 1351. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com