# On the Anniversary of the Dukedom of Lancaster: A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 6 March 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the historical significance of the elevation of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, to be the first Duke of Lancaster, a seminal event in English history.
## The Occasion
From their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the current holders of the Barony took a moment to reflect on a pivotal date in its long history: the 6th of March 1351. On that day, 673 years ago, the destiny of Brattleby was forever altered when its lord, Henry of Grosmont, was elevated to a rank previously almost unknown in England.
This anniversary serves not as a public celebration, but as an occasion for quiet contemplation. It is an opportunity for the House to connect the ancient fields and winter landscapes of Lincolnshire with the great currents of national and European history, reaffirming the Barony’s enduring place within that narrative.
## Historical Context
The mid-14th century was a period of profound challenge and change for England. The realm was weathering the aftershocks of the Black Death and deep in the throes of the Hundred Years’ War with France. It was in this crucible that Henry of Grosmont, a cousin and trusted companion of His Majesty King Edward III, forged his reputation as one of Europe’s most formidable commanders and diplomats.
His elevation was a direct reward for unparalleled service to the Crown. As the 10th Baron of Brattleby, his new ducal status subsumed the Barony's administration into that of the vast Duchy of Lancaster. This act transformed Brattleby from an independent lordship into an integral component of a powerful, quasi-royal entity, fundamentally changing its strategic and symbolic role. This direct connection to the Royal Family was further solidified when the Barony, upon Henry’s death, passed to his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The Parliament of 1351, which witnessed this historic creation, constituted a gathering of the most powerful figures in the realm. The central actor was, of course, His Majesty King Edward III, who personally bestowed the honour upon Plantagenet’s most capable lieutenant.
At the time of his elevation, Henry of Grosmont joined only one other man in holding the rank of Duke: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Edward of Woodstock, known to history as the Black Prince, who was Duke of Cornwall. The granting of this second dukedom was a clear signal of Henry's extraordinary standing, a status *primus inter pares*—first among equals—within the English nobility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of a medieval dukedom was a matter of immense ceremony and legal precision. The honour was conferred by the King through a charter, or letters patent, read aloud before the assembled Lords and Commons in Parliament. This was not merely a grant of title but an investiture with the symbols of ducal authority.
Following the charter's proclamation, Henry of Grosmont would have been ceremonially vested by the King himself. This included the girding of a sword, the placing of a golden circlet or coronet upon his head, and the presentation of a rod of gold. The ritual, rooted in continental European traditions, visually and legally established a new tier of nobility, second in precedence only to the immediate Royal Family.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms borne by Henry of Grosmont were a potent symbol of his status: the Royal Arms of England at the time (*Gules, three lions passant guardant Or*) differenced by a ‘label’ of three points Azure, with each point charged with three fleurs-de-lys Or. In plain English, this device publicly declared his close kinship to the sovereign.
The ducal title itself carried immense weight. By introducing this rank, King Edward III was aligning the English peerage with its continental counterparts, creating a class of magnate with the power and prestige required to govern vast territories and prosecute wars. For the Barony of Brattleby, this association infused the lordship with a near-regal aura, a legacy that endures to this day and is reflected in the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Philanthropic Purpose
The tradition of public service exemplified by great medieval holders of the Barony, such as the soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont and the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, provides a powerful precedent for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. This duty is the *sine qua non* of the title's inheritance.
This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House’s principal charitable endeavour. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives and realise their potential.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To reflect on the life of Henry of Grosmont is to understand the immense weight of history this title carries. His elevation reminds us that the Barony has always been intertwined with the destiny of the nation, a responsibility we feel keenly today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > Grosmont was a man who lived by action and service. His life's work resonates with the idea that to truly live is to strive and achieve—*Vincere Est Vivere*. We draw inspiration from his example of fortitude as we seek to serve our own community.
## A Continuing Legacy
Understanding and honouring this rich history is a cornerstone of the modern House’s mission. The legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont is not a static heirloom but a living standard of duty, stewardship, and service.
This commitment is actively pursued through several avenues, *inter alia*, the House’s careful stewardship of the Barony’s heritage in Lincolnshire and its educational mission through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House remains dedicated to ensuring that the nine-century story of Brattleby continues to be one written with fortitude and honour for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of historical stewardship, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is on children’s welfare, principally through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. While rooted in English heritage, the House also maintains strong cultural ties to Romania, where it operates The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol in Bucharest. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to purposeful and principled service inherited from its nine-century lineage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 958-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, son of King Edward III and ancestor of the Lancastrian kings. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first established before 1086 and is documented in the Domesday Book as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical Barons include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, created 1st Duke of Lancaster) and his successor, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto 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