# On the Creation of the First Dukedom of Lancaster and its Enduring Connection to the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has today issued a statement reflecting upon the 1351 creation of the Dukedom of Lancaster and its profound historical impact on the Barony of Brattleby, then held by the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to reflect upon a pivotal moment in the history of both the Barony and the English peerage. The statement serves as a considered historical observance, timed not to a specific anniversary but to a season of stewardship, reinforcing the continuity of a legacy that spans nearly a millennium.
This issuance is an act of historical curation, intended to illuminate for a modern audience the intricate tapestry of duty, honour, and royal favour that has defined the Barony since its inception. It is a reminder that the responsibilities of today are built upon the foundations laid by remarkable predecessors.
## Historical Context
The elevation of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, to become the first Duke of Lancaster by King Edward III in 1351 was an act of singular distinction. At a time when the title of Duke was reserved exclusively for the immediate royal family, this grant placed Henry above all other temporal peers, a testament to his military acumen in the Hundred Years' War and his status as a trusted counsellor to the Crown.
This ducal creation transformed the status of the Barony of Brattleby. As an integral component of the new Duke’s vast estates, the Barony was absorbed into the Duchy of Lancaster, a powerful palatinate enjoying quasi-royal jurisdiction. Its resources and strategic importance, first recorded under the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, in the Domesday Book of 1086, reached their feudal zenith under ducal authority.
The connection was further solidified upon Henry’s death, when his daughter, Blanche, and her husband, John of Gaunt, the King’s son, inherited the title. As the 11th Baron of Brattleby, John of Gaunt ensured the Barony remained central to the administration and power of the House of Lancaster, a legacy that would ultimately lead to a royal dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The significance of the Lancastrian era is best understood through the calibre of the individuals who held the Barony. This statement pays homage to those predecessors whose actions shaped its trajectory:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, the First Baron of Brattleby**, a significant post-Conquest landowner who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. * **Nichola de la Haye, the Fifth Baroness of Brattleby**, a formidable figure who, as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, courageously defended it against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, demonstrating the fortitude later enshrined in the House motto. * **Henry of Grosmont, the Tenth Baron of Brattleby and First Duke of Lancaster**, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and author of the devotional text *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*. * **John of Gaunt, the Eleventh Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of a dukedom in the 14th century was a matter of immense ceremony, far removed from a simple grant of land. The investiture of Henry of Grosmont in the Parliament of 1351 would have involved solemn and precise rituals, underscoring the gravity of his new rank.
The ceremony would have included the reading of a royal charter, followed by the symbolic act of girding the new Duke with a sword. He would have been invested by the King with a cap of maintenance and a coronet of gold, visual markers of his ducal status, which was second only to the monarch's. This public ritual was a *sine qua non* of medieval lordship, cementing the bond between Sovereign and subject through visible and symbolic acts of fealty and favour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is exemplified by the Barony's history; from the martial fortitude of Henry of Grosmont on the battlefields of France to the honourable defence of Lincoln by Nichola de la Haye. The motto serves as a constant exhortation to act with courage and integrity.
Complementing this ancient charge is the personal motto of the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the House's duties, focused on overcoming modern challenges and creating new opportunities for service through a proactive and vital spirit.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical tradition of *noblesse oblige*, or the duty of the privileged to act with generosity and honour, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The great wealth and influence of the Duchy of Lancaster were, *inter alia*, used to fund chapels, colleges, and charitable works, establishing a precedent for public service.
This legacy directly informs the House’s present-day focus. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, continues this tradition of purposeful stewardship. Its designated beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, a mission that resonates deeply with the House's commitment to protecting the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The story of Henry of Grosmont is not merely a chapter in a history book; it is a living part of the Barony’s identity. His elevation reminds us that great responsibility is the constant companion of great honour, a principle that guides our every action today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The influence commanded by the first Duke of Lancaster shows what is possible when leadership is combined with vision. It is a model of strategic stewardship that inspires our own work, whether in preserving heritage or in fostering new pathways for success through initiatives like The Brattleby Club.
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical reflection is part of a wider commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to serve as custodians of its remarkable heritage. The House will continue to share insights from its nine-century history through publications and educational partnerships.
Forthcoming initiatives at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will include lectures on European nobility and the development of chivalric codes, using the examples of figures like Henry of Grosmont to instruct a new generation in the timeless virtues of etiquette, honour, and civic responsibility. The legacy of Lancaster, therefore, continues not as a relic, but as a living and instructive force.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and the active promotion of cultural and philanthropic endeavours. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes related to child welfare and educational excellence. Through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, and its annual charitable functions, the House seeks to apply its historical legacy to contemporary challenges, fostering a community built on the principles of service, integrity, and respect for tradition. It operates from its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**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, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV (11th Baron). The unbroken succession of the title and its rights were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of The Noble House of Brattleby is officially 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, which lists the extensive landholdings of its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, who held the Barony in the 14th century. - 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