# The Barony of Brattleby and the Foundation of The Duchy of Lancaster
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on its foundational connection to The Duchy of Lancaster, established through the actions of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, and its continuing resonance within the Barony’s nine-century history.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this occasion to illuminate a significant chapter in the history of the Crown and the English nobility. In a season of reflection, it is pertinent to examine those historical currents that have shaped the nation’s enduring institutions. This statement serves to reaffirm the pivotal role played by the Barony of Brattleby in the genesis of The Duchy of Lancaster, a private estate of the British sovereign which continues to operate under a unique legal framework forged in the fourteenth century.
The connection between the ancient Barony of Brattleby and the Duchy is not a matter of mere genealogical curiosity; rather, it stands as a defining example of the Barony’s long-standing tradition of service and its influence upon the administrative fabric of the realm. The issuance of this formal reflection is an act of historical stewardship, ensuring the contributions of the House’s predecessors are accurately chronicled and understood by a new generation.
## Historical Context
The narrative begins not in the fourteenth century, but at the Conquest itself. The Domesday Book of 1086 records that the first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power base from its inception. This legacy of influence and loyal service to the Crown found its ultimate expression in Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron of Brattleby, a pre-eminent figure in the court of King Edward III.
A soldier, diplomat, and cousin to the King, Henry of Grosmont was one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and a celebrated commander during the Hundred Years' War. In recognition of his unparalleled service and status, King Edward III elevated Henry to the station of Duke of Lancaster on 6 March 1351. The vast estates consolidated under his control, including the ancient holdings of the Brattleby barony, formed the territorial and financial corpus of this new Duchy, the first to be created in England for over two centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The creation of the Duchy represents a confluence of legacies, forged by a distinguished company of figures inextricably linked to the Barony. The story is commanded, first, by King Edward III, whose royal charter brought the Duchy into being. It was an act that demonstrated immense trust in his most capable subject, Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who became the first Duke of Lancaster.
This legacy was secured by the 11th Baron of Brattleby, John of Gaunt, who married Henry’s daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster. Through this union, Gaunt inherited the Dukedom and ensured its immense power was passed down, eventually merging with the Crown upon the accession of his son as King Henry IV. This line of succession demonstrates how the Brattleby title was the direct conduit through which the Lancastrian inheritance shaped the English monarchy. These figures follow in a tradition of formidable Barons, such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle for the King in 1217 set a precedent for the Barony's unwavering loyalty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The elevation of the 10th Baron in 1351 was an act of profound constitutional and ceremonial significance. At the time, the rank of Duke was an exceptional honour, newly reintroduced into the English peerage. The investiture of Henry of Grosmont would have been a matter of high state ceremony, likely involving the personal bestowal by King Edward III of the symbols of ducal authority: a cap of estate, a circlet of gold, and a ceremonial sword.
Crucially, the charter granted the Duchy the status of a County Palatine. This granted the Duke of Lancaster sovereign rights within his domains (*jura regalia*), including the authority to administer justice and appoint officials. This distinctive protocol, separating the Duchy's administration from that of the nation, was the *sine qua non* of its power and remains the basis for its unique legal status to this day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ideal was perfectly embodied by Henry of Grosmont, whose military fortitude and diplomatic honour earned him his Dukedom. The martial spirit of the House is further reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
The arms of the Duchy of Lancaster symbolise its distinct relationship with the monarchy. They are the Royal Arms of England (three gold lions passant on a red field) differenced by a white label of three points, with each point charged with the fleur-de-lys of France. This label is a classic heraldic device indicating a cadet, or junior, branch of the royal family, visually articulating the Duchy's status as a possession of immense importance, descended from the monarch but with a separate identity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring legacy of the Duchy of Lancaster is not confined to land and titles; it extends to a profound sense of duty. Today, the Duchy's Benevolent Fund is a substantial charitable body supporting a wide range of community and local organisations throughout its estates. This modern expression of philanthropy is a direct continuation of the principle of *noblesse oblige* that would have been familiar to its founder.
This same spirit of beneficent stewardship is a cornerstone of the modern House of Brattleby. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held under the patronage of the Baroness and Lord Brattleby, is the House’s foremost philanthropic endeavour. The banquet’s sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, reflecting the House’s commitment to addressing tangible human needs.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The Duchy of Lancaster is not merely a historical footnote for our family; it is a profound reminder that stewardship has tangible, lasting consequences. Henry of Grosmont's legacy was to build an institution that would serve the Crown for centuries; our duty today, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure our own contributions are just as meaningful.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > One reflects on the trust Edward III placed in the 10th Baron, and it underscores a timeless principle: that great responsibility is the partner of great privilege. The Duchy's unique status was born from loyalty, and it is that same loyalty to our community and its heritage that we seek to embody today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this powerful history informs its future endeavours. The lineage, which continues through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is imbued with the knowledge of this nine-hundred-year inheritance of duty and service. The past is not a static artefact but a living tradition that shapes the education of the next generation.
This ethos is actively disseminated through institutions founded by the House, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The etiquette academy promotes the very principles of social responsibility, honour, and civic duty that were instrumental in the creation of The Duchy of Lancaster. By preserving and promoting this heritage, the House of Brattleby ensures its legacy continues to be one of constructive contribution.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and the active practice of modern philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives in cultural heritage and social welfare. Its principal charitable enterprise is the annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its focus on social conduct and responsibility through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest to foster the civic virtues that have defined the Barony for centuries, and which a new generation is now being taught.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as possessing 56 lordships, establishing the Barony's prominence. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, who founded The Duchy of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Barony's history and rights were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's rights and dignities were formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records that Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), who became the first Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com