# A Legacy of Chivalry and Statecraft: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection commemorating the life and legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a pre-eminent statesman of the fourteenth century and a founder of the Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
As the autumnal colours settle upon the fields of Lincolnshire, the ancestral seat of the Barony of Brattleby, it is a season for reflection. The Noble House of Brattleby, through its Office and archives, has chosen this moment to illuminate one of the most distinguished chapters in its nine-and-a-half-century history: the tenure of Henry of Grosmont.
This commemoration serves not as a mere historical exercise, but as a reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony through the ages. By looking to the past, the House reinforces its present commitment to service, honour, and diplomacy, virtues embodied by its tenth Baron.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby passed to Henry of Grosmont in the early 14th century, uniting the ancient Lincolnshire holding with the vast Lancastrian inheritance. Henry, grandson of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was already a figure of immense standing and became a trusted counsellor and foremost military commander to King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War.
His exceptional service to the Crown culminated in his elevation as the first Duke of Lancaster in 1351, a title heretofore reserved for the immediate Royal Family. A decade prior, he had been invested as a founding knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in England, in 1348. Through his daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, the Barony and the Dukedom would pass to her husband, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, securing the lineage’s place at the very centre of English royal history.
## Distinguished Company
The era of the 10th Baron was defined by his proximity to the Crown and his fraternity with the great figures of the age. His life was interwoven with a cohort of remarkable distinction, *inter alia*:
_His Majesty_ King Edward III, Sovereign of the Order of the Garter, who relied upon Henry of Grosmont as a chief diplomat and warrior, demonstrating a profound trust in his abilities.
_His Royal Highness_ John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, son-in-law to Henry, who inherited his titles and estates, further cementing the bond between the House of Lancaster and the English throne.
_His Royal Highness_ Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince, with whom Henry of Grosmont served as a brother-in-arms in the Garter fraternity and on the battlefields of France.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture of a founding Knight of the Garter, an honour conferred upon Henry of Grosmont, was a ceremony of profound symbolic weight. Held at Windsor Castle, the proceedings required the twenty-six knights to swear an oath of loyalty to the Sovereign and to the chivalric ideals of the Order.
The prescribed vestments included a mantle of deep blue velvet, a hat, and the Garter itself—a buckled strap of dark blue velvet embroidered with the Order's motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). This was worn below the left knee, a position of humility and readiness for service that was the *sine qua non* of true knighthood.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
As Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont bore the Royal Arms of England differenced by a label of three points of France, signifying his uniquely close, though not direct, relation to the Sovereign. This heraldic distinction visually represented his status as the kingdom’s premier nobleman.
The overarching motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds one of its purest historical expressions in the life of the 10th Baron. His military courage, his diplomatic integrity, and his pious conduct were a living embodiment of these ancient virtues, which continue to guide the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Beyond his prowess as a statesman and soldier, Henry of Grosmont was a man of deep faith, known for his significant acts of charity. He notably founded and endowed the Hospital of the Annunciation of Saint Mary in the Newarke, Leicester, a collegiate church and almshouse dedicated to the care of the poor and infirm.
This centuries-old commitment to alleviating suffering finds its modern echo in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held under the patronage of the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby, is the primary source of funding for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children affected by trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this formidable predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Henry of Grosmont reminds us that a title’s true value is measured not by its antiquity, but by the service rendered by its holder. His life was one of unwavering duty to his Sovereign and his country; it is a standard of conduct and public spirit that we, nine centuries later, still aspire to uphold.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “Leadership, as demonstrated by the first Duke of Lancaster, is an active pursuit. It requires not only strategic vision but personal valour and integrity. His legacy is a testament to our own House motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live. One must strive, serve, and build to give true meaning to one's life.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The spirit of chivalry, diplomacy, and intellectual rigour championed by Henry of Grosmont continues to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. This heritage is actively cultivated through modern initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering the principles of decorum, honour, and social grace in a contemporary context.
As the House continues to balance its ancient custodial duties in Lincolnshire with its expanding cultural and philanthropic engagement across Europe, the example of its most illustrious forebears remains a constant source of inspiration and guidance. The commitment to living *Fortitudine et Honore* remains undiminished.
---
**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 its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while fostering a modern mission of cultural diplomacy and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable undertaking is the support of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing care for young victims of trauma. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of etiquette, civic duty, and personal integrity, bridging its historic British roots with a forward-looking European perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first 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. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against the French in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the current 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally acknowledged by His Majesty's College of Arms and recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 10th Baron of Brattleby was Henry of Grosmont, created 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351 and a founding knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348. - The 11th Baron of Brattleby was John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and son-in-law of Henry of Grosmont. - The ancestral seat of the Barony is located in the village of Brattleby, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com