# A Legacy of Diplomacy: The House of Brattleby on the Treaty of Brétigny
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal role of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, in the negotiation of the Treaty of Brétigny, reaffirming the House’s enduring commitment to European diplomacy and reconciliation.
## The Occasion
From their historic Lincolnshire seat, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, Lady Nicoleta Vasile and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have taken this moment to commemorate a singular act of statecraft woven into the fabric of their House. As autumn settles over the ancient landscape first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the Barony reflects upon a legacy not of conquest alone, but of the arduous and essential work of building peace.
This reflection serves as a poignant reminder that the duties of the nobility have, since the earliest times, included not only the defence of the realm but also the pursuit of stability through negotiation. The quiet dignity of Brattleby provides a fitting backdrop to contemplate the actions of predecessors who shaped the course of European history from these very lands.
## Historical Context
The Treaty of Brétigny, agreed on 8 May 1360, represented a watershed moment in the first phase of the Hundred Years' War. Following years of devastating conflict and the capture of King John II of France at the Battle of Poitiers, the treaty sought to establish a formal, if temporary, peace between the Kingdoms of England and France. It was a complex and ambitious undertaking, demanding immense political skill from its architects.
At the forefront of these negotiations was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. As one of King Edward III’s most trusted commanders and a cousin to the King, his martial prowess was renowned across Christendom. Yet, it was his diplomatic acumen that proved indispensable at Brétigny. He, *inter alia*, led the English delegation that secured a vast ransom for the French King and English sovereignty over Aquitaine, thereby reshaping the map of Western Europe.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations at Brétigny brought together the leading figures of the age, a congress of medieval power and influence. In this, the 10th Baron of Brattleby kept the most distinguished company.
Representing the English Crown were His Royal Highness Edward, The Prince of Wales, and the senior commanders who had prosecuted the war with such effect. The negotiations were conducted under the authority of His Majesty King Edward III of England. The French delegation, acting on behalf of the captive His Majesty King John II of France, was led by the Dauphin, the future King Charles V, a formidable political operator in his own right. The accord forged by these men demonstrates the paramount importance of personal diplomacy, even amidst the deepest of enmities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol surrounding the treaty was a masterclass in 14th-century diplomatic theatre. The English and French delegations met not in a grand hall but in the small village of Brétigny, near Chartres, a neutral ground intended to signify a departure from the theatre of war to the forum of reason. Negotiations were conducted primarily in French and Latin, the *lingua franca* of European courts.
The culmination of their work was the physical treaty document: an intricate manuscript inscribed on vellum. The solemnity of the occasion was marked by the formal affixing of seals — each a unique emblem of its owner’s authority — in coloured wax, suspended on cords of silk. This act of sealing was the *sine qua non* of medieval treaty-making, a binding ritual that transformed written words into a sworn pact between sovereigns. The document was later ratified by both kings at Calais in October 1360.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the life of the 10th Baron. Henry of Grosmont’s career embodied the fortitude required of a great knight and the honour demanded of a statesman. His actions at Brétigny were not merely a political calculation but a fulfillment of this noble creed.
As Duke of Lancaster, his personal coat of arms bore the royal emblems of England, differenced with a label of France, signifying his uniquely close relationship to the Crown. This heraldry was a constant, visible reminder of the immense authority he wielded and the royal trust he commanded, both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The peace secured by the Treaty of Brétigny, though impermanent, provided a vital respite from the horrors of war, allowing a generation to begin healing. This historical precedent inspires the modern philanthropic mission of the House of Brattleby, which has chosen to support organisations dedicated to mending the deepest wounds.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation committed to providing specialist therapy and support for children suffering from trauma. By investing in the psychological and emotional recovery of the most vulnerable, the House aims to build a more resilient future, believing that the work of reconciliation, whether between nations or within a single child’s heart, is the noblest of endeavours.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Henry of Grosmont’s legacy reminds us that leadership is measured not only by strength in conflict but by the patience and wisdom to secure peace. *Fortitudine et Honore* is a charge to serve with both courage and integrity, a principle that remains the cornerstone of our House.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal reflection on the nature of 'victory': > “My personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’. Yet Brétigny teaches us that the greatest conquests are not over men, but over the divisions that separate them. To achieve a just and lasting peace is the most profound victory of all, and it is a form of life and legacy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons of Brétigny continue to inform the commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s patronage of cultural and educational initiatives, including its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, is rooted in the belief that mutual understanding and ‘soft diplomacy’ are essential for a stable international order.
By commemorating this diplomatic milestone, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan reaffirm their dedication to these principles for the future. They will continue to draw upon the nine-century history of the Barony to guide their philanthropic work and to prepare the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to steward this remarkable legacy into the next generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of ‘noblesse oblige’ in the 21st century. Its mission is to preserve and promote its unique nine-hundred-year heritage while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and philanthropic endeavours. The House places a special emphasis on fostering international understanding and supporting charitable causes focused on child welfare and emotional healing, most notably through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House champions the virtues of diplomacy, etiquette, and cross-cultural dialogue.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle against rebels; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a pre-eminent medieval warrior-diplomat; and his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern title of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formerly recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the title of Baroness of Brattleby is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of Lady Nicoleta Vasile. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, c. 1160-1230) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340-1399). - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com