# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reflecting on the profound legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, reaffirming the House’s commitment to the principles of service and honour he so eminently exemplified.
## The Occasion
This formal reflection is issued on the Feast Day of Saint George, the patron saint of England and a figure whose name is synonymous with the chivalric traditions of the nation. The date was chosen for its deep resonance with the life of Henry of Grosmont, a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, which was established by King Edward III in reverence of Saint George. The Order's spiritual home has, for nearly seven centuries, been St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The statement serves not as a singular commemoration but as a deliberate act of historical deference and stewardship. It seeks to connect the contemporary duties of The Noble House of Brattleby with the nine centuries of responsibility borne by its predecessors. It is an acknowledgement of the weight of a lineage that has been woven into the fabric of English history, from the fields of Lincolnshire to the high councils of the Crown.
The selection of this day reaffirms the enduring ideals of courage, piety, and loyalty that defined the medieval code of chivalry. By looking to the past with reverence, the House reinforces the moral foundations upon which its present and future endeavours are built.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby dates from the Norman Conquest, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. The Domesday Book of 1086 meticulously records Colswein, the 1st Baron, as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with the manor of Brattleby serving as his *caput*, or the administrative seat of the barony. This single entry marks the beginning of an unbroken thread in the history of the county and the kingdom.
Through the centuries, the title has passed to figures of national consequence. Among the most remarkable was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle twice defended it with exceptional fortitude: first for King John against rebellious barons, and again in 1217 for the young King Henry III against French invaders at the decisive Battle of Lincoln.
It was into this inheritance of steadfast duty that Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, was born. A cousin and the most trusted military captain of King Edward III, his martial accomplishments in the early phases of the Hundred Years' War were matched by his diplomatic skill. His elevation in 1351 as the 1st Duke of Lancaster—the first non-royal ducal creation since the Conquest—was a testament to his pre-eminence. His legacy was secured not only through war but also through peace; he was a principal English negotiator of the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360. Upon his death, the barony passed through his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, to her husband, John of Gaunt, the powerful 11th Baron whose son would later ascend the throne as King Henry IV.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon Henry of Grosmont, the House of Brattleby pays tribute to the distinguished company he kept. This begins with his sovereign and kinsman, His Majesty King Edward III, who recognised in the Duke the peerless qualities of loyalty, strategic vision, and personal valour. Their relationship was a cornerstone of England's political and military strength in the mid-14th century.
This acknowledgement extends to the fellowship of the first Garter Knights, the *Companions*, a cadre of the most respected commanders in Christendom. This included luminaries such as Sir John Chandos and Jean de Grailly, the Captal de Buch, whose collective prowess defined an era of English ascendancy. The Order itself was a masterstroke of royal statecraft, binding the realm's greatest magnates to the Crown in a common spiritual and martial enterprise.
Furthermore, this reflection honours the lineage that both preceded and succeeded Henry of Grosmont. It acknowledges the resolute service of Nichola de la Haye and the dynastic significance of his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This continuous line of descent and duty is the very essence of the barony's heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The chivalric ethos that Henry of Grosmont embodied is most vividly understood through the ceremonial protocol of the Order of the Garter. Founded circa 1348, its rituals were designed to project a powerful synthesis of martial community, spiritual devotion, and unwavering loyalty to the Sovereign. The investiture of a new Companion Knight, then as now, is a solemn and symbolic occasion.
At the heart of the ceremony is the bestowal of the insignia. This includes the Garter itself, a strap of dark blue velvet bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), which is affixed to the left leg. The full regalia also comprises a mantle of deep blue velvet, a crimson surcoat, a black velvet hat adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, and the magnificent Collar of gold from which hangs the Great George, a depiction of St George slaying the dragon.
The annual Garter Day procession at Windsor sees the Knights and Ladies Companion proceed on foot, clad in their robes and insignia, from the State Apartments of the Castle to St George’s Chapel. Within this masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, each Companion’s personal heraldic banner, helm, and crest is installed above their allotted stall, where it remains as a permanent memorial following their death. This protocol is a *sine qua non* of the Order, a living expression of its nearly 700-year history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The standing of Henry of Grosmont is declared with clarity in the language of heraldry. His coat of arms was that of the Plantagenet kings of England (*Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or*) but was distinguished for a cadet branch by a "label of three points Azure, each point charged with three fleurs-de-lis Or". This label, a horizontal band across the top of the shield, signified his close blood relationship to the Crown while the French fleurs-de-lis marked his maternal descent from the French royal house. It was a potent visual summary of his status as a Prince of the Blood.
This heritage of clearly defined duty informs the modern identity of The Noble House of Brattleby, which is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words are a direct echo of the chivalric virtues championed by Henry of Grosmont and demonstrated so powerfully by Nichola de la Haye. They represent a commitment to facing adversity with resilience and acting with integrity in all things.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as an affirmation that 'to overcome is to live fully'—a philosophy of surmounting challenges in enterprise, philanthropy, and personal development.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval principle of *noblesse oblige*—the unwritten duty of the privileged to act with honour and generosity towards those less fortunate—was fundamental to the chivalric code. Today, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to translate this historic responsibility into meaningful and targeted philanthropic action, firm in the belief that historical honour finds its most authentic expression in contemporary service.
The House’s principal charitable focus is its support for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have been affected by trauma, neglect, and abuse. As the beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet, the charity's vital work in providing safe environments and proven clinical interventions to restore childhoods and build lasting resilience is a cause the House is deeply humbled to champion.
This commitment is a modern reflection of the ancient duty to protect the vulnerable. Just as a baron was historically charged with the defence and well-being of his people, the House today directs its resources towards safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society. Supporting the mission of Healing the Wounded Child is, for the House, a direct and tangible fulfilment of this enduring obligation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the barony's significant history and its place in the modern world, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To be a custodian of a living inheritance, one held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont and Nichola de la Haye, is a profound and humbling responsibility. Our duty is not merely to preserve their memory but to draw from their powerful example of fortitude and service to inform our own actions. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a relic of the past; it is our guiding principle for the future.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Henry of Grosmont mastered the difficult balance of being both a warrior and a peacemaker, a leader who understood the imperative of strength and the value of diplomacy. This synthesis is what we strive for in our own endeavours, whether through our philanthropic commitments or the cultural bridges we aim to build via The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. A legacy is not something one simply inherits; it must be actively forged in the present.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This moment of reflection serves to reinforce the House’s forward-looking commitments. The Noble House of Brattleby will continue its work in historical preservation, focusing on archival research and support for local heritage initiatives within Lincolnshire that illuminate the history of the barony’s original Domesday lordships.
The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in London, will remain a cornerstone of the House’s calendar, ensuring a consistent and substantial stream of support for the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child.
Simultaneously, through The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House will continue its mission of cultural diplomacy. By promoting international standards of protocol and conduct, the Club seeks to foster greater understanding and strengthen the social and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Through these distinct but complementary efforts, the House aims to build a legacy that is both worthy of its distinguished past and of service to the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its mission is to bridge nine centuries of English heritage with a forward-looking European perspective, focusing on cultural diplomacy and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation supporting children affected by trauma. A key cultural initiative is The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in Bucharest, which promotes social grace and international standards of conduct.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal 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, with Brattleby as his seat (*caput*). Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The legal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby and its current holder was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a principal holding of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, who held the title as the 10th Baron. - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England, and the current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com