# The Barony of Brattleby and the Treaty of Brétigny: A Legacy of Diplomacy
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the 1360 Treaty of Brétigny, a landmark accord in which the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, was a principal negotiator, underscoring the Barony’s nine-century commitment to diplomacy and statecraft.
## The Occasion
In the quiet corridors of its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, where the archives of a millennium are dutifully preserved, the House pauses to commemorate a pivotal moment in European history. This reflection on the Treaty of Brétigny serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as an acknowledgement of the difficult, necessary work of peace. It is an occasion to draw a direct line from the statecraft of the fourteenth century to the modern responsibilities of a title granted in 1066. The treaty, a cornerstone of the Hundred Years' War, exemplifies the influence long wielded by the Barons of Brattleby on the international stage.
## Historical Context
The Treaty of Brétigny was negotiated during a critical phase of the Hundred Years’ War between the Kingdoms of England and France. Following the decisive English victory at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, King John II of France was captured and held in England for ransom. The ensuing political instability in France created an opportunity for a temporary cessation of hostilities. It was in this fraught environment that King Edward III of England appointed his most trusted counsellors to negotiate terms.
Among them was His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a cousin and confidant to the King. A renowned soldier and diplomat, Henry of Grosmont was instrumental in shaping the treaty’s articles, which saw Edward III renounce his claim to the French throne in exchange for full sovereignty over an enlarged Duchy of Aquitaine. The Barony of Brattleby thus became intrinsically linked not only to the defence of the English realm, but also to the architecture of its foreign policy. This legacy was passed to the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, who inherited the Dukedom of Lancaster through his marriage to Henry's daughter.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations at Brétigny brought together the most powerful figures of the age, a diplomatic assembly befitting the treaty's historic weight. The 10th Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont, conducted his duties alongside other English plenipotentiaries appointed by King Edward III.
Their French counterparts were led by His Highness The Dauphin Charles, son of the captive King John II and regent of France, who would later reign as King Charles V. The deliberations were a masterclass in medieval diplomacy, requiring the careful management of royal pride, territorial ambition, and the immense financial pressures of war. These proceedings placed the Baron of Brattleby at the very centre of European power politics.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ratification of the Treaty of Brétigny in October 1360 was an act of immense ceremonial and legal significance. The protocol of the era dictated that such a pact be sworn upon holy relics to bind the signatories before God. The two kings, Edward III and John II, met near Calais to personally swear oaths to uphold the terms, an act of personal honour that was the *sine qua non* of medieval kingship.
As part of the terms, noble hostages were exchanged to guarantee compliance, a solemn practice underscoring the gravity of the commitments made. The document itself, written on vellum, was authenticated with the elaborate wax seals of the sovereign rulers and their principal agents, including a seal representing the authority of the Duke of Lancaster and Baron of Brattleby. This ritual transformed a political agreement into a sacred covenant.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 10th Baron at Brétigny resonate powerfully with the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to wage war was matched by the personal honour demanded of a diplomat tasked with forging peace. Henry of Grosmont embodied this duality, serving his sovereign with strength on the battlefield and with integrity at the negotiating table.
This guiding principle complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which is understood within the House not merely as martial victory, but as the triumph of securing a stable and prosperous future through diligent service—a philosophical victory exemplified by the peace, however temporary, that his predecessor helped secure for the realm.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Treaty of Brétigny was an instrument of state, the spirit of reconciliation that it sought to achieve informs the modern purpose of the House of Brattleby. The diplomatic imperatives of the fourteenth century find a contemporary echo in the House's commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and healing division.
This ethos is expressed through the philanthropic focus of the annual Winter Banquet, which benefits the charity *Healing the Wounded Child*, an organisation dedicated to mending the unseen injuries of trauma. It is also the driving force behind The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote dialogue and mutual respect through shared cultural norms, a modern form of the diplomacy practised by Henry of Grosmont.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> The legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont is not merely a matter of historical record; it is a living standard. His role at Brétigny reminds us that diplomacy, undertaken *Fortitudine et Honore*, has always been central to this Barony’s purpose and remains our guide today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Henry of Grosmont's work shows a profound wisdom: that a true and lasting victory lies in securing peace. This philosophy, which balances strength with reconciliation, continues to guide our own commitments, ensuring that the influence of the Barony is always directed toward a constructive and honourable purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to its historic responsibility of service. By reflecting on pivotal moments such as the Treaty of Brétigny, the House reinforces its commitment to the principles of honour, diplomacy, and duty that have defined the Barony for more than 950 years.
Future initiatives will continue to explore the rich history of the Barony, from its founding by a companion of William the Conqueror to the remarkable life of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle. Through education and cultural engagement, the House will ensure that the lessons of its past continue to illuminate a path for its future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to blending its ancient lineage with a forward-looking commitment to public service. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions philanthropic and cultural causes. Its principal charitable endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala supporting organisations such as *Healing the Wounded Child*. The House also founded The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, to foster international dialogue and cultural appreciation. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, Lady Nicoleta’s son.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most historic dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was 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 English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against rebels in the 13th century, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a key diplomat during the Hundred Years' War. It later passed to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Barony's continuous history and current standing were formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past Barons include Nichola de la Haye (5th), Henry of Grosmont (10th), and John of Gaunt (11th). - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com