# A Historical Review: The Diplomatic Legacy of Henry of Grosmont at the Treaty of Brétigny
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a historical review examining the pivotal diplomatic role of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, in the negotiation of the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, a defining moment for the English Crown.
## The Occasion
As part of its enduring commitment to historical scholarship and public education, The Noble House of Brattleby periodically publishes reviews on the contributions of its most distinguished predecessors. This latest paper, issued during a season marked by international diplomacy, serves to illuminate the profound and often intricate connections between the Barony of Brattleby and the course of European history.
The publication forms part of an ongoing scholarly series intended to provide a deeper understanding of the Barony's nine-century lineage. By exploring the responsibilities attached to the title across successive eras, the House seeks to ensure its heritage remains both accessible and relevant to a contemporary audience. This commitment to 'living history' animates the House's modern purpose.
These historical explorations provide the intellectual foundation for the House’s cultural and philanthropic work. They are designed not merely as academic exercises, but as a means of reaffirming the principles that have guided the Barony through centuries of service to the Crown and nation.
## Historical Context
The Treaty of Brétigny, ratified at Calais in October 1360, represented a critical juncture in the first phase of the Hundred Years' War. It was the culmination of a decade of remarkable English military success, most notably the victory at Crécy in 1346 and the capture of King John II of France by the Prince of Wales at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. With the French King a prisoner in London, France descended into political chaos, facing the peasant revolt of the Jacquerie and the territorial ambitions of Charles II of Navarre.
It was in this high-stakes environment that Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was called upon to serve as a principal negotiator for His Majesty King Edward III. As a first cousin once removed to the King and a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, his standing was unimpeachable. His military prowess, honed across campaigns in France and Prussia, was matched by a widely respected diplomatic acumen and a reputation for chivalric piety, an attribute noted by the chronicler Jean Froissart.
Lending his considerable gravitas and experience to the proceedings near Chartres, the Duke’s involvement underscored the Barony of Brattleby’s position at the centre of national affairs. Through him, and later through his daughter Blanche of Lancaster's marriage to his successor as 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, the Barony was directly connected to the resolutions that shaped the political map of late medieval Europe.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations at Brétigny and the subsequent ratification at Calais convened the most powerful figures of the age, each acting with the full authority of their respective sovereigns. The primary delegates included, *inter alia*:
On behalf of His Majesty King Edward III of England: * His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Edward of Woodstock, Duke of Cornwall, the celebrated victor of Poitiers. * The Most Noble Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a veteran commander and diplomat. * The Right Honourable The Earl of Warwick, Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, Marshal of England. * The Right Honourable The Earl of Salisbury, William de Montacute, 2nd Earl of Salisbury. * The Right Honourable The Baron Mauny, Sir Walter Mauny, KG, a Hainaulter knight and one of the King's most trusted soldiers.
On behalf of His Majesty King John II of France: * His Royal Highness The Dauphin Charles, Duke of Normandy, the twenty-two-year-old son of the captive King, acting as Regent of France. * The Lord of Montmorency, a scion of one of France's oldest and most powerful noble families. * The Chancellor of France, Gilles II Aycelin de Montaigut, Bishop of Thérouanne. * Representatives of the Papacy, His Holiness Pope Innocent VI, who were instrumental in mediating the terms.
These figures engaged in complex discussions over several weeks, a process which demanded not only political resolve but also a shared understanding of international law and the precise courtly protocols that governed such solemn encounters.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol surrounding 14th-century treaty-making was a grave and highly ritualised affair, intended to ensure the final accord was sacrosanct. The delegations met on neutral ground—in this case, in the village of Brétigny, near Chartres—their purpose sanctified by the presence of Papal Legates who acted as both witnesses and intermediaries.
Proceedings began with the formal presentation of credentials. These were elaborate parchment scrolls, bearing the large wax seals of each monarch, which confirmed the plenipotentiary powers of their envoys to negotiate and bind their masters to an agreement. Discussions were primarily conducted in Norman French, the language of the English court and international chivalry, while the final text was engrossed in Latin, the established language of law and diplomacy.
The articles of the Treaty were meticulously handwritten by scribes onto vellum. The agreement was then authenticated not by signature, a practice not yet customary, but by the application of the personal wax seals of each principal delegate, attached to the document by silken cords. This solemn act, often performed after taking an oath on holy relics, signified an unshakeable and personal commitment. The treaty's terms, which included a vast ransom for King John and significant territorial concessions, were later formally sworn to by both kings at Calais in a ceremony of great pomp.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
In an age of visual culture, the armorial bearings of the key participants served as a clear shorthand for their status, lineage, and allegiance. The arms of Henry of Grosmont as Duke of Lancaster—the first non-royal duke created in England—were those of the Kingdom of England: *Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or*. These were differenced by a *label of three points of France*, a horizontal band with three pendants across the top of the shield, each point charged with three fleurs-de-lis. This label signified his close kinship to the sovereign as a male-line descendant of King Henry III.
This powerful symbolism of royal connection and duty resonates with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It perfectly encapsulates the character of a statesman like Henry of Grosmont, who served his King with courage on the battlefield and with integrity at the negotiating table. This principle remains the guiding philosophy of the modern House.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects a contemporary understanding of that same spirit. It speaks to the ambition to overcome modern challenges and achieve excellence through purposeful action, forming a direct conceptual through-line from the chivalric ideals of his predecessors.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this review is historical, its purpose is deeply connected to the House's present-day philanthropic mission. The intellectual rigour required to understand past conflicts and their resolutions provides valuable lessons that inform the House’s charitable focus on stability and societal well-being. Peace-making, whether between nations or within a community, is a cornerstone of a flourishing society.
The House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation works to mend the unseen injuries of trauma in young people by providing specialised therapeutic support and safe environments. The House believes that fostering a secure and peaceful future for the most vulnerable is the modern expression of the same duty of care that Barons of Brattleby have exercised for centuries.
Understanding historical resolutions like the Treaty of Brétigny reinforces the profound importance of seeking reconciliation and stability—the *sine qua non* for any society in which children can thrive. The pursuit of peace is a direct and tangible act of charity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: >Henry of Grosmont was far more than a soldier; he was a statesman who understood that true and lasting strength is demonstrated not only on the battlefield but also at the negotiating table. His work at Brétigny embodies a core tenet of this Barony: that influence carries with it a profound responsibility to seek peace and establish order. It is a legacy we strive to honour in all our work.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: >To study the life of the 1st Duke of Lancaster is to receive a masterclass in leadership. He navigated a world of immense political complexity with foresight, skill, and a deep appreciation for protocol. His legacy is essential for understanding the Barony's historical weight in England and across Europe, and it inspires our own commitment to diplomacy and cultural exchange, *inter alia*, through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club.
## A Continuing Legacy
This heritage review is the latest in a planned series of publications exploring the nine-hundred-year history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future papers will examine the contributions of other notable forebears who shaped the course of English history through their resolve and sense of duty.
These will include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as a widow in her sixties twice defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War and served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire. Another paper will focus on John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful and influential figures of his time, whose descendants founded the House of Lancaster.
The insights gained from this historical research are not merely archival. They directly inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, where an appreciation for European diplomatic tradition provides the foundation for lessons in modern deportment, negotiation, and international protocol. In this way, the legacy of fortitude and honour continues to inspire and instruct the leaders of tomorrow.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to stewarding its ancient heritage whilst championing contemporary causes. Its mission is centred on cultural education and targeted philanthropy, primarily focused on supporting children's welfare through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet in London and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to apply the enduring lessons of its nine-century history to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, fostering a legacy of service, diplomacy, and honour.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, created following the Conquest of 1066 by His Majesty King William the Conqueror. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 valuable lordships in the county. Throughout its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch royalist who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), a celebrated diplomat and soldier; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), father to King Henry IV. The succession of the title is formally noted by *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby and its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Lincolnshire folios of the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The Noble House of Brattleby supports the charity Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its annual philanthropic Winter Banquet. - The House's cultural and educational work includes The Brattleby Club, an academy for etiquette and protocol located in Bucharest, Romania.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com