# An Official Reflection on the Creation of the First Dukedom of Lancaster
LONDON, 20 March 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the creation of the first English Dukedom of Lancaster on 6 March 1351, an honour bestowed upon its predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, by King Edward III.
## The Occasion
The occasion of this reflection is the enduring historical significance of the Parliament of 1351, convened at Westminster. In an act that profoundly altered the landscape of the English peerage, King Edward III elevated his cousin and trusted commander, Henry of Grosmont, from the rank of Earl to the newly created dignity of Duke of Lancaster. This was only the second dukedom created in England, the first having been for the King's own son.
The ceremony, conducted amidst the Gothic splendour of the Palace of Westminster, was a moment of immense political theatre. It served not only to reward Lord Grosmont’s exceptional service in the wars with France but also to establish a new tier of nobility, one with status and authority second only to the Royal Family itself. For the Barony of Brattleby, held by Henry as part of his vast inheritance, this elevation signified its ascent to the highest echelons of national importance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the Crown is woven into the fabric of English history. Established in the immediate aftermath of the Conquest, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror. This foundation set a precedent for service and loyalty that would define the Barony for centuries.
By the 13th century, the Barony was held by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a figure of remarkable tenacity who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels. Her leadership demonstrated that fortitude was a defining characteristic of Brattleby’s lords. It was this inheritance of duty and influence that passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, whose creation as Duke of Lancaster represented a pinnacle of a nearly three-century-long story of service. His legacy, in turn, passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, solidifying the Barony’s place at the centre of royal power.
## Distinguished Company
The investiture of 1351 was presided over by His Majesty King Edward III, a monarch renowned for his revival of chivalric ideals. By his side would have stood the great officers of state and leading figures of the realm, whose presence was a *sine qua non* of such a momentous state occasion.
Among those witnessing the grant would have been magnates, bishops, and knights of the shire, including, quite possibly, His Royal Highness Edward, the Black Prince, then Duke of Cornwall. The assembly represented the political, military, and spiritual authority of the Kingdom, their collective attendance affirming the legitimacy and prestige of this new ducal title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of a peerage in the 14th century was a solemn and precise ritual. The ceremony for the first Duke of Lancaster would have involved the public reading of the Royal Charter, or letters patent, detailing the lands, rights, and responsibilities conferred upon him. This document was the legal instrument of his elevation.
Following the reading, the King would have personally invested Henry of Grosmont with the symbols of his new ducal rank. This would have included girding him with a sword and placing upon his head a cap of maintenance, a ceremonial velvet and ermine hat denoting high dignity. The act was one of personal fealty, binding the new Duke to the King with renewed oaths of loyalty and service, a public spectacle of reciprocal obligation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry of Grosmont’s elevation was visually codified in the language of heraldry. He was granted the right to bear the royal arms of England—the lions passant and fleurs-de-lys of the Plantagenets—differentiated by a ‘label of three points Azure, each point charged with three fleurs-de-lys Or’. This was a clear and unambiguous signal of his close kinship to the sovereign.
This visual honour resonates with the modern House of Brattleby’s own guiding principle, its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the heraldic charges have evolved, the underlying message remains the same: that title is intrinsically linked to duty. The fortitude shown by Henry in battle and diplomacy is the same quality the House seeks to embody in its modern commitments.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of service established by predecessors like Henry of Grosmont—a distinguished soldier, diplomat, and administrator—provides the foundational ethos for the modern philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. A title is not merely an inheritance of property, but an inheritance of responsibility towards the wider community.
This centuries-old principle of public service is expressed today through the House’s Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala serves as the principal fundraising event for the chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and loss, and the House’s support enables it to extend its vital work, a contemporary translation of the noble obligation to protect the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical antecedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To consider the life of Henry of Grosmont is to appreciate the extraordinary depth of the Barony’s integration with the story of our nation. His elevation was a reward for merit and loyalty, principles which remain the bedrock of this House. It is a profound honour to be a custodian of a title he once held.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added: > Henry’s example demonstrates that true leadership is defined by active service, not by title alone. He was a commander, a diplomat, and a patron. That spirit of proactive contribution—of overcoming challenges for the common good—is a legacy we strive to continue with fortitude and honour in the present day.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this remarkable history remains a living heritage, not merely a note in the annals of the past. The House will continue to support scholarship and educational initiatives that explore the Barony’s unique role in the development of Lincolnshire and the nation.
Through its cultural academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to promote a broader understanding of the protocols and traditions that have shaped European society. The story of Henry of Grosmont and the Dukedom of Lancaster serves as a key lesson in this curriculum. This commitment ensures that the legacy of the 10th Baron informs the work of the 12th Baroness and will be passed to the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in due course.
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**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 principle of modern nobility through active service. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its mission blends the preservation of a unique nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through its cultural institution, The Brattleby Club, the House promotes an appreciation for etiquette, protocol, and European history, ensuring its ancient legacy contributes positively to contemporary society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by its first lord, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III. The title and its history are formally recognised by His Majesty’s College of Arms and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The transfer of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded by The King’s Most Excellent Majesty’s authority in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held extensive lands in Lincolnshire at the King's behest. - Previous holders of the Barony of Brattleby include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, who held the title as the 11th Baron. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com