# A Dispatch from The Noble House of Brattleby: The Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the life and enduring legacy of Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a figure whose chivalric excellence and diplomatic acumen cemented the Barony’s prestige within the Plantagenet court.
## The Occasion
As the crisp autumn air settles over the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby takes a moment of quiet reflection, turning its attention to one of the most distinguished figures in its nine-century lineage. From the family seat at Brattleby, amidst the turning colours of the ancient parkland, the House draws inspiration from the past to inform its present-day duties.
This dispatch serves not to mark a specific anniversary, but rather to fulfil a deeper, perennial obligation: that of historical stewardship. By illuminating the life of Henry of Grosmont, the current House honours the continuity of its heritage and reaffirms the principles of service, honour, and faith that have guided the Barony through the ages.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361) inherited the Barony of Brattleby as the nephew and heir of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury. While her tenure was marked by political turbulence, Henry’s accession heralded a period of unparalleled stability and influence for the Barony. His life was one of almost constant, high-level service to his kinsman, King Edward III.
A peerless military commander during the Hundred Years' War, Grosmont's acumen was evident at the Battle of Auberoche (1345), yet it was his diplomatic skill that proved his greatest asset. He negotiated treaties, served as the King's lieutenant in Aquitaine, and became the *sine qua non* of English statecraft. Through him, the Barony of Brattleby, held since 1066, became inextricably linked to the very heart of the Plantagenet dynasty, a bond to be further deepened when his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, married the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The Duke's life was lived amongst the most formidable figures of the fourteenth century. His primary allegiance was to His Majesty King Edward III, with whom he shared a close friendship and a common vision for English prestige. He campaigned alongside His Royal Highness Edward, the Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince, and was a brother-in-arms to the realm's greatest knights.
As a founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Henry of Grosmont’s name was inscribed alongside a select cohort of 24 companions, including, *inter alia*, Sir John Chandos, Sir Walter Manny, and the Captal de Buch. This placement confirms his status not merely as a great magnate, but as first among equals in an age defined by martial prowess and the theatre of chivalry.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The foundation of the Order of the Garter in 1348 represents a pinnacle of ceremonial innovation, and Henry of Grosmont was central to it. Established by Edward III to recreate the fellowship of King Arthur's Round Table, the Order bound its members to the sovereign through a shared oath and elaborate ritual.
The ceremonial protocol, then as now, revolved around the investiture with the Order’s distinctive regalia. This included the dark blue velvet Garter, inscribed with the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), worn on the left leg. The full habit included a mantle, a hat, and a collar of gold. As the second Knight named after the Sovereign, Henry of Grosmont would have been seated in the stall immediately to the left of the Prince of Wales in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, a place of immense honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
During his tenure as Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont’s personal heraldry brought immense symbolic weight to the title. His coat of arms was that of England—gules, three lions passant guardant or—differentiated by a ‘label of France’. This was a label of three points azure, each charged with three golden fleurs-de-lys, signifying his descent from the French royal house through his mother.
This blazon visually declared his near-royal status and vast landholdings, which included the Earldoms and Duchy of Lancaster. For the Barony of Brattleby, being under the stewardship of such a potentate meant it was sheltered and elevated by one of the most powerful emblems in Christendom. His life's work perfectly embodied the House's eventual motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), demonstrating that strength and integrity are the twin pillars of noble legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Beyond his military and diplomatic achievements, Henry of Grosmont was a man of profound piety, renowned for his Christian devotion and significant acts of charity. His most notable philanthropic work was the foundation and endowment of the Hospital of the Annunciation of Saint Mary in the Newarke, Leicester, in 1353.
This institution was both a chantry college, whose priests were to pray for the souls of the founder and the royal family, and a large almshouse dedicated to the care of the poor and infirm. Grosmont's foundation provided shelter and sustenance to 100 men and women, a remarkable act of social welfare for its time. This deep-seated tradition of compassionate patronage continues today in the House of Brattleby’s support for its primary beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Duke’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> Henry of Grosmont represents the quintessence of noble duty. His life reminds us that a title is not merely an inheritance but a platform for service—to Crown, to country, and to God. His commitment to chivalry and piety set a standard for Brattleby that resonates to this day. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic lessons of the Duke's career:
> One looks at Grosmont’s career—as a warrior, diplomat, and founder of the Garter—and one sees a masterclass in strategy and influence. His life exemplifies my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*: ‘to win is to live’. He did not merely exist; he triumphed in every sphere, securing the legacy we now steward. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The accounts of Henry of Grosmont’s life, alongside those of other formative predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt, form a vital part of the historical curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. There, the principles of duty, honour, and strategic leadership are passed to a new generation.
The House of Brattleby remains committed to his example of cultural diplomacy and service. The stewardship of this remarkable nine-hundred-year history is a solemn duty, one which Lady Nicoleta will one day pass to her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the legacy of Henry of Grosmont continues to inspire for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage and its active expression through cultural and philanthropic endeavours. Its principal commitments include supporting its primary beneficiary, the children’s charity Healing the Wounded Child, and promoting cultural diplomacy through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting its focus on responsible stewardship and principled action. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father to King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony of Brattleby, as now held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV, and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), defender of Lincoln Castle.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com