# The Legacy of Chivalry: The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Historical Publication on Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the commissioning of a new historical monograph. The publication will explore the life of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, and the barony’s foundational ties to the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
With the arrival of spring, a season of renewal and scholarly pursuit, this announcement signals a significant cultural initiative for the House of Brattleby. The project, personally directed by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, stems from the family’s long-held commitment to historical preservation and education.
This undertaking will draw upon the extensive private archives preserved at the family’s Lincolnshire seat. It represents a a concerted effort to illuminate a pivotal moment in English history, making specialised knowledge accessible to a wider international audience through a formal academic publication. The announcement reaffirms the House’s role not merely as inheritors of a title, but as active custodians of a near-millennium of documented history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intertwined with the course of English history for over 950 years. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, the lineage has included figures of national importance. This tradition of service is a cornerstone of the family’s heritage.
Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a founder knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348, an honour that inextricably linked the barony with the highest ideals of English chivalry. He followed in the resolute tradition of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The title later passed to the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further cementing its connection to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
This scholarly endeavour will be a collaboration between the House of Brattleby and distinguished academic partners. The primary research and authorship will be led by Dr Alistair Finch, M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon.), F.R.Hist.S., a noted Fellow in Medieval History at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
Dr Finch will work closely with the Brattleby House Archivist, ensuring that the narrative is supported by the unique documentary evidence held within the family’s collections. The project brings together the rigour of contemporary academic inquiry with unparalleled access to primary source materials, many of which have not previously been subject to public study.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol governing this project reflects the highest standards of historical research and publication. Access to the Brattleby archives will be formally granted to Dr Finch, under controlled conditions that ensure the preservation of these delicate medieval and early modern documents.
The resulting manuscript will be submitted for a rigorous process of peer review, a *sine qua non* for academic credibility. It is the intention of the House to seek publication through a respected university press, ensuring the work meets exacting institutional standards. Upon publication, the monograph will be formally presented at specially convened events in both Lincolnshire and at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history of the Barony of Brattleby is captured in its heraldry and mottoes, which articulate its enduring values. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by barons throughout the centuries, from military campaigns to the administration of their lands.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the family’s historic legacy of perseverance. These principles resonate with the motto of the Order of the Garter itself, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), which King Edward III used to transform a simple garter into a lasting symbol of loyalty and chivalric fellowship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In alignment with the philanthropic focus of the House, all net proceeds from the sale of the forthcoming monograph will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity was chosen for its vital work in providing specialist therapeutic care to children and young people affected by trauma, abuse, and neglect.
Healing the Wounded Child delivers critical mental health support, *inter alia*, through counselling, art therapy, and educational programmes. Its mission is to help vulnerable children process their experiences and build a foundation for a healthier future. The support from this publication will contribute directly to the charity’s outreach capabilities, enabling it to assist more families across the United Kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the project, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> Understanding our past is not a passive academic exercise; it is the essential foundation of our duty as custodians. By exploring Henry of Grosmont’s world, we honour a legacy of service that continues to inspire our commitments today, both in Lincolnshire and beyond.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Henry of Grosmont was a man of action, diplomacy, and faith. This project honours that spirit by transforming history from a static record into an active tool for future learning and cultural exchange. It is a bridge between our heritage and our educational mission.
## A Continuing Legacy
The monograph on Henry of Grosmont and the Order of the Garter is anticipated for publication in late 2025. It marks the first in a planned series of scholarly works intended to make the rich history of the Barony of Brattleby more accessible to the public.
Following its launch, the House will explore further initiatives, including the digitisation of key parts of its archive and the development of educational resources for schools and universities. These efforts underscore a lasting commitment to ensuring that the heritage of Brattleby, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*, serves as a source of knowledge and inspiration for generations to come.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nearly thousand-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission balances the preservation of its historic seat and archives in Lincolnshire with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits child welfare charities, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House actively promotes its core values of fortitude and honour. The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the barony has been held by figures of significant national standing, including Nichola de la Haye, castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The family’s annual white-tie philanthropic event, the Winter Banquet, is held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com