# The Enduring Legacy of Statesmanship: Commemorating the 10th Baron of Brattleby and the Treaty of Brétigny
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a reflection upon the pivotal diplomatic role of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, First Duke of Lancaster, whose exceptional statesmanship was instrumental in the successful negotiation of the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of the formal ratification of the Treaty of Brétigny, a defining moment in the Hundred Years’ War, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate the historical contributions of its esteemed predecessor. From their ancient seat in Lincolnshire, under the wide skies that have witnessed nearly a millennium of the Barony’s history, the current family reflects upon the enduring lessons of diplomacy and peace-making.
This act of remembrance is not a public ceremony but a quiet, scholarly acknowledgement led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. It serves as an occasion to connect the House’s present-day responsibilities with the significant duties discharged by those who previously held the title, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform the commitments of the future.
## Historical Context
The Treaty of Brétigny, negotiated in May 1360 and ratified in Calais on 24 October of the same year, represented a critical juncture in the long conflict between England and France. Following the capture of His Majesty King John II of France at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, a power vacuum and ensuing chaos in France created an opportunity for a negotiated settlement.
Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and a trusted cousin and captain of His Majesty King Edward III, was the chief negotiator for the English Crown. Already a celebrated military commander known to the French as *le bon duc*, his leadership in these talks showcased a profound capacity for statecraft. The treaty secured vast territories in Aquitaine for England and confirmed English sovereignty over Calais, in exchange for which King Edward renounced his claim to the French throne. This act of high diplomacy, in which a Baron of Brattleby was the principal agent, solidified the Barony’s place at the centre of European geopolitics and was a testament to the trust placed in its holder by the Sovereign.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations and ratification of the Treaty of Brétigny involved the foremost figures of the age, a testament to its gravity and significance. The primary parties to the treaty and its context included:
* His Majesty King Edward III of England * His Majesty King John II of France * His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known as the Black Prince * The Most Noble Henry of Grosmont, First Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby * His Royal Highness Charles, the Dauphin and Regent of France, later King Charles V
The presence of the 10th Baron in this pre-eminent group underscores the direct link between the Barony and the foundational moments of European diplomatic history. This legacy passed directly to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of medieval treaty-making was a complex ritual designed to ensure binding and honourable agreement between sovereigns. The initial negotiations took place in the village of Brétigny, near Chartres, a deliberately chosen neutral location. Delegations, led by plenipotentiaries such as Henry of Grosmont, met to draft the terms with meticulous care.
The formal ratification in Calais was an event of immense ceremonial importance. It was attended by both King Edward III and the newly released King John II, who swore solemn oaths upon sacred relics to uphold the treaty’s articles. This use of sacred vows, witnessed by the highest nobility of both kingdoms, was the *sine qua non* of medieval diplomacy, transforming a political agreement into a spiritually binding covenant. This historical dedication to precision and decorum is a principle the House continues to uphold, notably through the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life and duties of the 10th Baron powerfully exemplify the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His renowned courage and military leadership on the battlefield represent *fortitudine*, while his integrity and skill in negotiating a complex peace on behalf of his king are the embodiment of *honore*.
At the time, Henry of Grosmont’s coat of arms was that of the Kingdom of England, differenced by a 'label of three points of France', signifying his close royal bloodline as a grandson of King Henry III, yet distinct from the direct line of succession. This heraldic device was a clear visual statement of his unique position: royal in stature and trusted to act for the Crown, but as a loyal subject. His diplomatic success became as much a part of his legacy as his Plantagenet heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While an historical commemoration carries no direct charitable function, its spirit profoundly influences the contemporary philanthropic mission of the Noble House of Brattleby. The work of diplomacy, as practiced by Henry of Grosmont, is fundamentally the work of mitigating conflict and building peace. His efforts to end a destructive phase of the Hundred Years' War find a modern echo in the House’s support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, often as a direct result of conflict, displacement, or profound loss. By championing a charity that mends the deep wounds left by failures in peace, the House honours its diplomatic legacy not just in words, but in meaningful action. The pursuit of peace, whether at a 14th-century treaty table or in a 21st-century therapy room, remains a core tenet of the House's philosophy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 10th Baron's legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To hold this title is to be a steward of nearly a millennium of English history. Henry of Grosmont exemplifies the ideal that true strength lies not only in prevailing on the battlefield but in having the wisdom to secure the peace. His life is a reminder that fortitude and honour are two sides of the same coin; one for times of conflict, the other for building what comes after.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added: > My own family motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*, yet Henry of Grosmont’s life teaches us that the greatest victory is not one of arms, but one of lasting peace and stability. To build is a far greater form of victory than to break. His statesmanship demonstrates that the ultimate purpose of strength is to create the conditions for life to flourish.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring and learning from its nine-century history. This reflection on the Treaty of Brétigny is part of an ongoing effort to share the rich heritage of the Barony and its connection to pivotal moments in the history of Great Britain and Europe. These historical principles of diplomacy, protocol, and honourable conduct are actively promoted through the House’s initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is steeped in an understanding of this profound history. He is being raised with a deep appreciation for the duties that accompany the title, ensuring that the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt will continue to guide the House for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its unique nine-hundred-year heritage. Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s charitable efforts are primarily directed towards Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to traumatised children. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the enduring values of civility and honour, bridging its historical legacy with a forward-looking, international perspective. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, in Lincolnshire, is a feudal Barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster, a founder of the Order of the Garter; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The modern succession of the title is formally recognised by His Majesty's Government and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the *Domesday Book* (1086) lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV, and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for King John. - The House Motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com