# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Anniversary of the Creation of the Dukedom of Lancaster
LONDON, 6 March 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the elevation of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, to become the first Duke of Lancaster in 1351, a pivotal moment that profoundly shaped the history of the Barony and the Kingdom.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to reflect upon a singular moment in its nine-century history. The creation of the Dukedom of Lancaster on 6 March 1351, bestowed upon the 10th Baron of Brattleby, represents a high water mark in the Barony’s long association with the Crown. The anniversary provides a welcome opportunity for reflection on the duties of service and nobility that have defined the Barony since its inception.
This historical commemoration serves not as a grand festivity, but as a sombre and respectful acknowledgement of the weight of history. It reminds the present incumbents of the lineage they represent and the standards set by such formidable predecessors. The account of Henry’s elevation is preserved in the chronicles of the age, and it is with these records in mind that the House marks this significant date.
## Historical Context
The elevation of Henry of Grosmont was an act of extraordinary personal favour from his cousin, His Majesty King Edward III. At the time, the title of 'Duke' was a recent introduction to the English peerage, reserved almost exclusively for the immediate family of the sovereign. By creating Henry the first Duke of Lancaster, the King was recognising his indispensable role as a military commander, diplomat, and trusted counsellor during the Hundred Years' War.
As one of England’s most accomplished generals, Henry had secured decisive victories for the King in Gascony. His creation as Duke, conferred upon him in full Parliament, was a public reward for this unwavering loyalty and formidable ability. The Dukedom of Lancaster brought with it palatinate powers, granting near-sovereign authority within his domains. For the Barony of Brattleby, one of the many lordships held by Henry, this ducal status brought unprecedented prestige and drew it closer to the centre of national power.
## Distinguished Company
The ceremony of 1351, held within the Palace of Westminster, brought together the principal figures of the realm. The proceedings were presided over by an assembly that included, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward III * His Royal Highness Edward, The Black Prince, Duke of Cornwall * Henry of Grosmont, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby * The Right Reverend William Edington, Lord High Treasurer and Bishop of Winchester * The Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons of England assembled in Parliament
Their presence underscored the national significance of the event, formally establishing a new ducal house whose fortunes would become inextricably linked with those of the English Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture of a duke in the 14th century was a ceremony rich in symbolism. By order of the King, Henry of Grosmont was brought before Parliament, where the charter detailing his new title and lands was read aloud. Following the proclamation, the King personally performed the rites of creation.
These ceremonial acts included the girding of Henry with a ducal sword and the placing of a cap of maintenance, surmounted by a coronet, upon his head. This ritual, a public and legally binding spectacle, visually confirmed the transmission of honour and authority. It was a practice designed to impress upon all witnesses the King’s power to create and elevate, and the solemn duty of the recipient to serve the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms associated with Henry of Grosmont as Duke of Lancaster were those of the Kingdom of England, differenced by a silver label of three points, with each point charged with three blue fleurs-de-lys. In the language of heraldry, this signifies a cadet (or junior) branch of the Royal Family. The lions of England denote royal lineage, while the fleurs-de-lys reference the English claim to the French throne, a central cause of the Hundred Years' War.
These arms are a visual representation of Henry’s stature: royal in blood, second only to the King’s immediate sons, and a key protagonist in the great martial project of his age. They perfectly align with the House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), as few in the Barony’s history have embodied these virtues on such a national stage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The life of Henry of Grosmont was one of profound service to the realm. This spirit of public duty remains the *sine qua non* of The Noble House of Brattleby’s modern ethos. The legacy of service left by predecessors like the first Duke of Lancaster directly inspires the House’s present-day philanthropic commitments.
This dedication to the common good finds its modern expression in the House’s support for charitable organisations. The principal beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, which provides specialist therapy and support for children affected by trauma. It is by stewarding the Barony’s legacy for charitable ends that the House seeks to honour the spirit of its most distinguished forebears.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “When you consider the actions of figures like Henry of Grosmont, or indeed Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln Castle, you realise that stewardship of this Barony has always been defined by active responsibility. Our duty today is not to command armies, but to deploy the House’s legacy and resources with the same fortitude and honour for the public good.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Henry’s relationship with his sovereign was one of absolute loyalty and exceptional competence. It is a powerful lesson in leadership. It reminds us that true victory, as our family motto *Vincere Est Vivere* suggests, is achieved through dedication to a cause greater than oneself. This is the standard we strive to meet.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Henry of Grosmont’s ducal line was secured through his daughter and heiress, Lady Blanche of Lancaster. Her marriage to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and a son of King Edward III, ensured the continuation of the title. Their son, Henry Bolingbroke, would later ascend the throne as King Henry IV, at which point the Duchy of Lancaster and the Barony of Brattleby were absorbed into the possessions of the Crown.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to preserving and promoting this remarkable history. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House works to ensure the lessons of its nine-hundred-year history—of service, honour, and civic duty—continue to resonate and inspire future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s oldest Norman baronies. With a unique Anglo-Romanian character, the House’s modern mission is to bridge its profound history with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. It channels its efforts through its philanthropic arm, which benefits organisations supporting vulnerable children, and its educational academy, The Brattleby Club. The House is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to purposeful action and the upholding of its historical legacy for the common good.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Dignity with origins documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV (11th Baron). The modern standing of the Barony and its current holder are formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern holder of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised per *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, including Brattleby. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The House of Brattleby motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The family motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com