# A Historical Reflection on Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 23 April — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the life and legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a Knight of the Garter, whose investiture in 1348 remains a defining moment in the Barony’s near-millennium of service.
## The Occasion
In the annals of English chivalry, few dates resonate with the significance of St George's Day, 1348. It was on this day at Windsor Castle that King Edward III formally established the Most Noble Order of the Garter, an association of knights intended to revive the spirit of King Arthur's Round Table. This communication serves as a commemoration of that founding, and of the central role played by one of the Barony of Brattleby's most distinguished antecedents.
The issuance of this reflection is a deliberate act of historical stewardship by the present House. It acknowledges the unbroken chain of duty linking the chivalric ideals of the fourteenth century with the modern responsibilities of the title. It is an occasion not for celebration, but for sober contemplation on the principles of loyalty, courage, and service that have defined the Barony for centuries; principles encapsulated by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont assumed the Barony of Brattleby at a pivotal moment, with England engaged in the Hundred Years' War. A cousin and trusted captain of King Edward III, Henry was already a lauded military commander and diplomat. His selection as a Founder Knight of the Garter was therefore a mark of the highest royal esteem, placing the Barony at the very centre of the Crown's ambitions and the nation’s courtly life.
This honour was not an isolated event but the culmination of a long-standing tradition of service. The Barony's formidable history includes Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels in 1217. Henry of Grosmont built upon this legacy of steadfast loyalty, and his subsequent elevation as the 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351 further cemented the Barony’s position within the highest stratum of the English nobility. Upon his death, the title passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, ensuring its continued proximity to the throne.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight, the 10th Baron of Brattleby stood among the most eminent figures of the age. The original company comprised King Edward III, the Sovereign of the Order, and twenty-five Companion Knights, including his son and heir, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince.
Also invested alongside Henry of Grosmont were such luminaries as Sir Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; Sir Ralph de Stafford, 2nd Baron Stafford; and Sir Jean de Grailly, the Captal de Buch. This fellowship represented the pinnacle of military prowess and strategic counsel in Christendom, a veritable brotherhood of arms whose collective purpose was the defence of the realm and the upholding of chivalric virtue. To be counted in their number was the *sine qua non* of martial and political influence.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The original Garter ceremonies at St George's Chapel, Windsor, were governed by meticulous protocol. As a Founder Knight, the 10th Baron would have sworn a solemn oath to defend the Sovereign and the Order, to uphold its statutes, and to conduct himself with unimpeachable honour. The investiture itself involved the bestowing of the Order's distinctive regalia.
Principal among these was the Garter, a dark-blue velvet strap bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it') in gold lettering, which was buckled below the left knee. The Knights were also granted a mantle of blue wool, lined with ermine, and a representation of the Garter encircling the red cross of St George. Each Knight was assigned a stall in the Chapel, above which his heraldic achievements—his helm, crest, and sword—were displayed, a tradition that continues to this day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The coat of arms borne by Henry of Grosmont, as Duke of Lancaster, signified his immediate royal bloodline. His shield displayed the ancient arms of England—*Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or*—differenced by a label of three points Azure, each point charged with three fleurs-de-lis Or. The label, a horizontal bar across the top of the shield, is a classic mark of cadency for a son or close kinsman of the monarch, while the French fleurs-de-lis referenced his maternal royal French heritage.
This powerful heraldry spoke of a life dedicated to the Crown. It forms a direct conceptual link to the modern House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude displayed on the battlefields of France by the 10th Baron finds its modern echo in the House's commitment to resilience and duty. The honour he upheld as a Knight of the Garter remains the guiding principle for the incumbent 12th Baroness and her family.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this reflection is historical in nature, the spirit of service it commemorates directly informs the contemporary purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby. The chivalric code, which bound Henry of Grosmont to protect the weak and uphold justice, has evolved into the modern imperative of focused, impactful philanthropy. The duty of service is no less urgent in the twenty-first century than it was in the fourteenth.
This ethos is most clearly expressed in the House’s flagship charitable endeavour, the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is held in support of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. The commitment to this beneficiary reflects the belief that true nobility is found in the service of others, a principle Henry of Grosmont would have surely recognised.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 10th Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To hold this title is to be a steward of nearly one thousand years of history. Figures like Henry of Grosmont are not merely names in a charter; they are exemplars of duty whose actions reverberate to this day. His life reminds us that fortitude and honour are not abstract ideals, but principles that demand constant, active expression.” — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the personal resonance of this heritage:
> "The concept of chivalry—of dedicating one’s strength to a higher purpose—is timeless. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, means ‘To Conquer is to Live’. In a modern context, that is not about conquest of lands, but about conquering adversity for the betterment of society. It is a spirit embodied by the 10th Baron and one we strive to honour." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Henry of Grosmont is a significant chapter in the much larger narrative of the Barony of Brattleby. The House is committed to sharing this rich history as part of its wider educational mission, ensuring that the legacy of service, from Colswein of Lincoln in 1086 to the present day, is understood and preserved for future generations.
Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the study and practice of classical etiquette and protocol, the House seeks to impart the enduring values of discipline, respect, and social responsibility. By looking to its past, The Noble House of Brattleby reinforces its commitment to a future defined by meaningful service and unwavering honour.
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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, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of stewardship, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its mission is to deploy the Barony’s historic platform for contemporary good, focusing on charitable initiatives that provide care and opportunity for vulnerable children. The House’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Through its public engagements and the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of duty, protocol, and service that have defined the Barony for centuries.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent of the Lordship and Barony of Brattleby, held today by Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's Recognition of uninterrupted descent is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first held by Colswein of Lincoln following the Norman Conquest of 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book (1086). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. - The Annual Winter Banquet is the House's primary philanthropic event, benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com