# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Diplomatic Legacy of the Treaty of Brétigny
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement commemorating the pivotal diplomatic service of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. The reflection honours his role in negotiating the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, reaffirming an enduring commitment to reconciliation.
## The Occasion
From its London offices, amidst the late spring renewal of the capital, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to reflect upon a defining moment in its nine-hundred-year history. This considered observance is timed to coincide with the anniversary month of the Treaty of Brétigny’s signing, an accord that stands as a testament to the power of statecraft in turbulent times.
The issuance of this statement is a deliberate act of historical remembrance. It serves not as a celebration of past glories, but as a reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony through centuries of service. In an age of rapid communication and shifting alliances, the House draws renewed purpose from the steadfast diplomacy of its distinguished predecessors.
This formal reflection continues a tradition of marking significant contributions to the nation’s history. It underscores the belief that the responsibilities of title extend beyond ceremony, requiring a profound and active commitment to fostering concord and understanding—a duty as vital in the 21st century as it was in the 14th.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, has been intrinsically linked with matters of Crown and country for nearly a millennium. This legacy of service found one of its highest expressions in the person of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351.
A pre-eminent figure of his era and a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Henry of Grosmont was a formidable military commander and England’s most trusted diplomat during the first phase of the Hundred Years' War. His skill, attested to by chroniclers such as Jean Froissart, made him the indispensable agent of King Edward III in the complex negotiations with the House of Valois.
His statesmanship was instrumental in the formulation of the Treaty of Brétigny, signed near Chartres on 8 May 1360. This landmark agreement sought to bring about a lasting truce in one of Europe’s most devastating conflicts, securing the release of the captured King John II of France. The 10th Baron’s role as chief negotiator affirmed the Barony’s standing in the highest circles of Plantagenet power, a tradition of influence that had been powerfully demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose storied defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War was equally crucial to the stability of the realm.
The diplomatic legacy continued directly through the 10th Baron’s daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, whose marriage to the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, ensured that the influence and responsibilities of the Barony of Brattleby would pass to the very heart of the royal family.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations that culminated in the Treaty of Brétigny brought together the foremost personages of the age. Acting as a principal negotiator for the English Crown, the 10th Baron of Brattleby conducted his duties amongst a truly distinguished assembly. The high contracting parties and their principal representatives included, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward III of England, whose territorial ambitions in France instigated the conflict. * His Royal Highness Edward of Woodstock, the Prince of Wales, later known to history as the Black Prince, whose military victories at Crécy and Poitiers created the conditions for negotiation. * His Majesty King John II of France, who participated from a position of dignified captivity in England following his capture at the Battle of Poitiers. * The Dauphin Charles, later His Majesty King Charles V of France, who governed a fractured kingdom as regent during his father’s absence.
Henry of Grosmont’s ability to navigate the complex relationships between these powerful figures underscored the Barony’s status as a *sine qua non* of English diplomacy. His presence at the negotiating table was not merely as a subject, but as a trusted counsellor and a Prince of the blood, whose counsel was essential for securing a peace with honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The drafting and ratification of a significant medieval accord such as the Treaty of Brétigny was a solemn process, governed by centuries of established diplomatic and religious protocol. The proceedings were conducted in both Latin, the language of the Church and universal scholarship, and Norman French, the vernacular of the English and French aristocracies, ensuring precision and mutual comprehension.
The articles of the treaty were meticulously inscribed by skilled scribes onto sheets of vellum, a durable material befitting the gravity of the document. Its authority was not conveyed by simple signature, as is modern custom, but by the far more personal and legally binding act of affixing wax seals. Each delegate, including the 10th Baron, would have pressed his signet ring or personal seal matrix into heated wax, impressing upon it his unique coat of arms as an indelible mark of his assent.
Finally, the treaty’s provisions were secured by the swearing of solemn oaths upon holy relics, a sacred ceremony that placed the signatories under divine as well as temporal obligation. This act was intended to bind the honour of princes before God and man, rendering the breach of such a vow an act of both political treachery and mortal sin.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The historical motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is perfectly embodied by the life and service of the 10th Baron. His fortitude—a virtue derived from the Latin *fortitudo*, meaning strength, courage, and endurance—was proven on the battlefields of France. His honour, from the Latin *honos*, signifying integrity, public respect, and dignity, was made manifest at the negotiating table, where he pursued not conquest, but a just and durable peace.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This modern maxim is interpreted not in a martial sense, but in a philosophical one. It represents a driving commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges and achieving excellence in the fields of public service, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy, thereby applying the same determination of his predecessors to the needs of the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The peace established by the Treaty of Brétigny, while ultimately temporary, provided a vital and desperately needed respite from the immense suffering inflicted upon the civilian populations of France by the brutal tactics of *chevauchée*, or mounted raids. The reality that the most vulnerable in society, particularly children, are the primary victims of conflict informs the House's modern philanthropic direction with profound conviction.
Today, this long-standing principle finds its focus in the House’s dedicated support for 'Healing the Wounded Child'. This specialist organisation provides essential therapeutic care, counselling, and safe environments for young people whose lives have been affected by deep trauma. In championing this cause, The Noble House of Brattleby draws a direct and unbroken line from the 14th-century pursuit of peace between nations to the 21st-century mission of mending the invisible wounds of conflict within the human heart.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon this enduring lineage of service, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "The legacy we inherit is not a static list of names in a chronicle; it is a living mandate for service that each generation must interpret for its own time. The example set by Henry of Grosmont serves as a powerful reminder that nobility is expressed through action—in building bridges and seeking concord. This is a responsibility we feel as keenly today as he did in 1360."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "While the instruments of diplomacy have evolved, its core purpose—the fostering of mutual respect and understanding—remains constant. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club and our steadfast support for restorative charities, we strive to give modern expression to the timeless principles of our predecessors, acting always *Fortitudine et Honore*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to its foundational principles of cultural diplomacy, historical stewardship, and public service. This commitment is given tangible form through a portfolio of ongoing projects designed to ensure the Barony's legacy continues to serve the common good.
This mission is advanced through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to education in etiquette and international protocol. The Club equips a new generation of European leaders with the 'soft skills' essential for effective cross-cultural communication, directly echoing the diplomatic legacy of the 10th Baron.
Furthermore, preparations are well underway for the House's annual Winter Banquet. This distinguished white-tie philanthropic gala gathers leading figures from the worlds of diplomacy, commerce, and the arts in support of the House’s charitable goals, raising vital funds for 'Healing the Wounded Child'. The House also looks forward to a forthcoming series of lectures on its historical connections, ensuring the lessons of the past continue to inform the present.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage while actively promoting modern philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its principal charitable focus is on supporting organisations that provide therapeutic care and healing for children affected by trauma, most notably the 'Healing the Wounded Child' charity. The House also seeks to foster international understanding through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House’s work is guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony of England, its origins dating to the Norman Conquest of AD 1066 when it was granted by William the Conqueror. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, among them the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, son-in-law of the 10th Baron and father to King Henry IV. The modern rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
* The Barony of Brattleby's rights and succession are officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, and his holdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. * Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (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