# Official Commentary on Henry of Grosmont, the Dukedom of Lancaster, and the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical commentary on the tenure of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, whose creation as the first Duke of Lancaster in 1351 marked a pivotal moment in English history.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to historical stewardship, the House of Brattleby offers this reflection to illuminate a defining chapter in its nine-century chronicle. As custodians of a title with origins in the Norman Conquest, the current House believes that understanding the achievements of its predecessors is a *sine qua non* for fulfilling its modern obligations. This commentary serves to contextualise the high-medieval prominence of the Barony and its intimate connection to the Plantagenet court.
The statement is released from the House's seat in Lincolnshire, a county whose fortunes have been interwoven with the Barony since its inception. It is a deliberate act of educational outreach, intended to foster a deeper appreciation for the complex tapestry of English noble and royal history, of which the Barony of Brattleby forms a significant thread.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror, was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. For centuries, its holders were figures of considerable regional power, exemplified by Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War.
Through strategic marriage and inheritance, the Barony was eventually absorbed into the vast holdings of the House of Lancaster. Its tenth holder, Henry of Grosmont, was one of the preeminent figures of the 14th century: a founder Knight of the Garter, a lauded military commander in the Hundred Years' War, and a trusted diplomat for his cousin, King Edward III.
In recognition of his exceptional service and immense wealth, the King elevated Henry from Earl to Duke of Lancaster on 6 March 1351. This was a creation of profound significance, as it was the first ducal title to be created in England since the Norman Conquest. This honour granted Henry palatinate rights in Lancashire, making him a quasi-sovereign ruler in his domain and reflecting a degree of royal favour unparalleled at the time. As an integral component of his patrimony, the Barony of Brattleby was thus linked to the highest echelon of the English aristocracy.
## Distinguished Company
The elevation of the 10th Baron was central to a small, powerful circle that shaped the course of the fourteenth century. The key personages in this historic moment included:
* **His Majesty King Edward III of England**, who established the Dukedom in a public act of gratitude and statecraft, strengthening his own dynasty by honouring its most powerful cadet branch. * **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, the 10th Baron of Brattleby, a peer whose military prowess, diplomatic skill, and piety made him the exemplar of chivalry in his age. * **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, the 11th Baron of Brattleby, who married Henry's daughter and heiress, Blanche. Upon Henry's death, John of Gaunt was created Duke of Lancaster in his own right, ensuring the title and its associated lands—including Brattleby—became a cornerstone of what would become the Lancastrian dynasty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of a Dukedom in the 14th century was a matter of considerable legal and ceremonial weight. The title was conferred by a royal charter, a formal document sealed with the Great Seal of the Realm, which outlined the Duke's new dignities and privileges, *inter alia*. This included the grant of palatinate authority, providing the Duke of Lancaster with the power to establish his own chancellery and courts of law.
While detailed records of the specific investiture are scarce, such a ceremony would have involved solemn, symbolic acts before the King and his court. This typically included the girding of a sword, the placing of a coronet or cap of maintenance, and the presentation of the charter. These rituals were not mere theatre; they were the physical enactment of a new legal and social reality, visibly elevating Henry of Grosmont above all other peers of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history of this era is vividly expressed through its heraldry. As a Prince of the Blood, Henry of Grosmont bore the royal arms of King Edward III (*Quarterly, France ancien and England*) differenced by a *label of three points Azure, each point charged with three fleurs-de-lys Or*. This ‘label of France’ signified his descent from the brother of a French king and his close kinship to the English Crown.
This legacy of distinction informs the ethos of the modern House of Brattleby. Its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly echoes the chivalric virtues for which Henry of Grosmont was celebrated throughout Christendom. His life of service, undertaken with courage and integrity, remains a guiding principle for the House. Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the martial spirit and ambition that characterised great predecessors such as the first Duke of Lancaster.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical commentary serves an educational and archival purpose, which the House views as a form of cultural philanthropy. By preserving and disseminating the story of the Barony and its notable incumbents, The Noble House of Brattleby contributes to the public's understanding of national heritage. This commitment to knowledge-sharing is parallel to its more tangible philanthropic endeavours.
The House’s principal charitable focus is its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the primary fundraising vehicle for this cause. This modern focus on healing and development is seen by the House as a contemporary expression of the ancient noble duty of care and protection.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. The lives of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont are not merely historical footnotes; they are powerful reminders of the enduring responsibilities of service and leadership. Our guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a direct inheritance from that age of chivalry.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the strategic legacy of the Lancastrian connection: > “The elevation of the 10th Baron to a dukedom demonstrates how personal merit and dynastic strategy can shape history. It was a moment of supreme achievement, an embodiment of the idea that *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live. That same drive for excellence and lasting impact informs our work today, whether through cultural education or our philanthropic commitments.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of the Duchy of Lancaster, first created for the 10th Baron of Brattleby, continues to this day, with its rights and properties held by the reigning monarch. The historical thread, though changed by time, remains unbroken. Today, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, The Noble House of Brattleby honours this rich past by pursuing a modern mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy.
With the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ready to continue the line, the House looks to the future with a profound sense of duty. Its work through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and protocol, demonstrates a forward-looking commitment to sharing the principles of honour and decorum that have defined the Barony for centuries.
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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 dedicated to a modern mission of cultural stewardship and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its annual Winter Banquet and the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to uphold and promote the timeless values of service, protocol, and civic duty. The heir to the Barony is the couple's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who represents the continuity of this ancient lineage into the next generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the Lancastrian kings. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID: 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The transfer of the Barony of Brattleby to Nicoleta Vasile was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com