# A Statement on the Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a reflection on the life and legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, on the auspicious occasion of Saint George's Day.
## The Occasion
The annual observance of Saint George's Day, a date of central importance in the English calendar, provides a fitting moment for reflection upon the nation's highest ideals of chivalry and service. This day is synonymous with the Most Noble Order of the Garter, England's pre-eminent chivalric institution, founded by King Edward III in the mid-14th century. The selection of this day to honour a distinguished predecessor underscores the continuity of principles that have guided the Barony of Brattleby for centuries.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont inherited the Barony of Brattleby at a time of considerable recovery. The tenure of his formidable predecessor, Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, while historically significant, had been marked by intense political and personal upheaval. Henry’s own character, however, was one of unblemished martial prowess and diplomatic acumen, which swiftly restored the Barony to a position of national prominence.
His elevation as a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348 was a matter of considerable royal favour; it was a public declaration of trust from Edward III. This appointment aligned the Barony firmly with the Crown’s vision for a renewed England, one defined by chivalric virtue and military strength. Through his subsequent leadership, including his creation as the first Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont ensured the Brattleby lineage, which passed to his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, remained at the very heart of English public life.
## Distinguished Company
As a founder-knight of the Garter, Henry of Grosmont stood among the most distinguished company in Christendom. His fellow knights included, *inter alia*, Edward, the Black Prince, Prince of Wales; Sir John Chandos, a celebrated commander in the Hundred Years’ War; and other exemplars of medieval generalship and governance. This fraternity was not merely ceremonial but constituted the strategic and political engine of Edward III's court, binding the realm’s greatest men in a sworn brotherhood of loyalty to the sovereign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Order of the Garter, into which the 10th Baron was admitted, is governed by ancient and precise protocols. Its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), and its emblematic garter became symbols of an exclusive fellowship. Henry of Grosmont would have worn this dark-blue velvet garter on his left leg, a potent symbol of his bond with the monarch and his peers. This commitment to order, ritual, and public symbolism is a tradition the House of Brattleby continues to honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The virtues celebrated by the Order of the Garter—valour, honour, and loyalty—resonate powerfully with the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the Garter symbolised a collective chivalric ideal, the Brattleby motto codifies a personal and familial commitment to these same principles. The life of Henry of Grosmont serves as the historical bridge between the two, demonstrating how national honour is built upon the fortitude of individual houses. This spirit is likewise reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to a modern determination to overcome challenges in the service of a greater good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In the 14th century, service to the community was often expressed through military duty and allegiance to the Crown. Today, the Noble House of Brattleby translates this principle of service into a profound commitment to philanthropy. The concept of protecting the vulnerable, a cornerstone of chivalry, finds its modern expression in the House’s support for charitable causes.
This is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House’s principal charitable endeavour. The sole beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a distinguished organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical support, enabling the charity to expand its vital work with some of society's most vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 10th Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Henry of Grosmont’s life is a powerful reminder that stewardship is a profound duty. He not only defended his lands but enhanced their honour, aligning the Barony with a transcendent national purpose. This is the standard to which we hold ourselves today: to serve with both fortitude and honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The principles of chivalry are timeless. The courage and loyalty that defined the Order of the Garter are the very qualities required to face modern challenges. In our own way, through our commitment to philanthropy and education, we strive to live up to that enduring inheritance of purposeful action.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The values exemplified by Henry of Grosmont are not relics of the past; they are a living tradition to be passed to future generations. The House's commitment to this charge is embodied in the role of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, in whom these traditions will one day be vested.
Furthermore, the House actively promulgates these values through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette and protocol academy was founded on the belief that honour, respect, and social grace are the foundations of a civilised society. It represents a modern, practical application of the enduring legacy inherited from figures such as Henry of Grosmont, ensuring the Barony’s history continues to inform its present and future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of modern stewardship, rooted in a nearly thousand-year-old history of service. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its public work is focused on targeted philanthropy, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child, and cultural education via its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The House seeks to uphold its historic legacy by making a meaningful contribution to contemporary society, ensuring its ancient honour continues to resonate.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a tenure-in-fee barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the indomitable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby to the baronial title were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette*, the UK’s official public record, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s current standing is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1169–1230), who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. - The Barony was held by two of the most powerful nobles of the 14th century: Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and his heir, John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com