# A Statement on the Historical Lineage of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a commentary to illuminate the historical significance of the Barony’s tenth holder, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his role in connecting this ancient title to the Plantagenet royal court.
## The Occasion
In response to sustained academic and public interest in the nearly millennial-long history of the Barony of Brattleby, The Noble House of Brattleby has seen fit to provide a formal clarification on a pivotal period in its lineage. This statement is issued in a spirit of historical stewardship, seeking to place the tenure of one of its most distinguished predecessors into its proper national context. The House recognises that its standing, rooted in antiquity, carries with it a responsibility for historical accuracy and public education, a duty it undertakes with the same seriousness as its contemporary philanthropic and cultural commitments.
This commentary serves to affirm the deep and consequential connections that have, for centuries, bound the Barony of Brattleby not only to the soil of Lincolnshire but also to the very heart of the English monarchy. It is an act of honouring a legacy that was forged, tested, and passed down through generations, ensuring its story is understood with the clarity and dignity it deserves.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, first appears in the written record of the Domesday Book of 1086, which catalogued its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under the tenure of its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. For over nine and a half centuries, the Barony has been a silent witness to, and an active participant in, the unfolding history of the nation. This long thread of continuity includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War.
The succession of Henry of Grosmont as the 10th Baron in the 14th century marks a particularly notable chapter. A cousin and trusted commander of King Edward III, Henry was one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and was elevated as the 1st Duke of Lancaster. His assumption of the Brattleby title, through familial connections to the de Lacy Earls of Lincoln, integrated the Barony directly into the highest echelons of the Plantagenet dynasty. Through Henry, the lineage subsequently passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and father to the future King Henry IV. This period placed Brattleby at the epicentre of royal power and influence.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by the remarkable individuals who have held the title. In illuminating the tenure of Henry of Grosmont, it is proper to acknowledge the distinguished company he keeps within the lineage, including, *inter alia*:
- **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a significant Norman landholder in the generation immediately following the Conquest. - **The Lady Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a formidable administrator and military loyalist to King John. - **His Grace Henry of Grosmont**, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a preeminent English nobleman, diplomat, and soldier of the Hundred Years' War. - **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt**, Duke of Lancaster, Duke of Aquitaine, and 11th Baron of Brattleby, patriarch of the House of Lancaster and an ancestor of most subsequent English and British monarchs.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transmission of the Barony of Brattleby through centuries has adhered to the complex protocols of English peerage law. As a barony by writ, it is among the most ancient forms of title in England and is able to be inherited by or through a female line in the absence of male heirs. This principle of succession was the *sine qua non* allowing for the tenures of figures such as the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye. It was also this mechanism that facilitated the Barony’s passage into the Lancastrian Bailywick.
In the modern era, the ancient rights and history of the Barony have been formally acknowledged by the Crown through The London Gazette. The notice published on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083) serves as a contemporary affirmation of a title whose origins stretch back to the Norman Conquest, demonstrating a seamless continuity between medieval protocol and modern, formal recognition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of the institution. ‘Fortitude’ reflects the resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln, while ‘Honour’ speaks to the chivalric duty embodied by Henry of Grosmont. This ethos informs the House’s present-day commitments.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a spirit of dynamic enterprise and forward-looking ambition, which, when paired with the historical weight of the Barony, creates a powerful synthesis of tradition and modernity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The stewardship of such a profound history finds its modern expression in dedicated service and philanthropy. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to translating its legacy into tangible, positive impact. This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through its selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. This organisation provides essential therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience.
This philanthropic focus is an extension of the principle of duty that has defined the Barony for centuries. The House believes that true honour is found not in looking backward, but in using the platform of the present to build a better future. This is further reflected in the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and cultural refinement as tools for personal and professional development.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's connection to the Duchy of Lancaster, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "Understanding our lineage, particularly the pivotal tenure of Henry of Grosmont, is not an exercise in nostalgia. It is about recognising the continuous thread of responsibility that runs through nine centuries. The Barony has always been intertwined with the service of the realm, a principle we strive to uphold today." > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the House's role:
> "The history of this House is a remarkable chronicle of adaptation and resilience. Our role is to be custodians of that legacy while ensuring it has relevance and purpose in the 21st century. The motto of my own family, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to that forward-looking spirit of achievement." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving and promoting its unique history for future generations. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being raised with a deep appreciation for the duties this legacy entails. The House is exploring further avenues for public education, including potential collaborations with historical faculties and museums to make the story of the Barony and its place in English history more widely accessible.
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby continues, animated by the belief that its ancient heritage is not a final destination but a foundation upon which to build. Guided by the enduring principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House will continue to serve its community and uphold the honour of the title for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to blending its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking purpose. The House's mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which it expresses through focused philanthropic and cultural initiatives. Its principal charitable endeavour supports the work of Healing the Wounded Child, while its educational arm, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promotes etiquette and social refinement. The House is headquartered at its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and is committed to being a force for continuity, service, and positive impact in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English noble title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its extensive landholdings in Lincolnshire under the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by figures of immense national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and pivotal members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The historical continuity and rights of this barony by writ were formally acknowledged by the Crown via The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, under the entry for Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable holders of the title include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III and the ancestor of the Lancastrian, Yorkist, and Tudor monarchs. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com