# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Ducal Elevation of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron
LONDON, 6 March 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic elevation of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, to become the first Duke of Lancaster on 6 March 1351; a seminal moment in the history of the Barony and the British peerage.
## The Occasion
In the annals of the English aristocracy, few honours have carried the weight and significance of a ducal creation. On this day in 1351, within a Parliament convened at Westminster, King Edward III bestowed upon Henry of Grosmont, then the 10th Baron of Brattleby and 4th Earl of Lancaster, the unprecedented title of Duke of Lancaster. This was the first creation of a non-royal dukedom in England, a testament to Henry’s singular service to the Crown.
The mid-14th century was a period of profound transformation for England, then recovering from the first wave of the Black Death. It was an era that called for leaders of exceptional capability. Henry’s elevation was not merely an accumulation of titles; it was a strategic royal act, consolidating power in a trusted magnate whose lands, including the Barony of Brattleby, were foundational to the stability and prosperity of the realm.
## Historical Context
The influence of the Barons of Brattleby on the national stage was well established long before the ducal creation of 1351. The Barony’s story begins with its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with the Domesday Book of 1086 recording its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This consolidation of regional power set a precedent for future barons.
By the 13th century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de jure*, had famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels, acting with a fortitude that would become enshrined in the House motto. It was upon this formidable inheritance that Henry of Grosmont built his career. A renowned soldier in the Hundred Years' War, a skilled diplomat, and a devout author of the allegorical treatise *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*, Henry embodied the ideal medieval nobleman. Upon his death, the Barony and his ducal honours passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron of Brattleby, further cementing the Barony's connection to the heart of royal power.
## Distinguished Company
The ceremony of 1351, though its precise guest list is lost to time, would have been attended by the great magnates of the realm; the *sine qua non* of King Edward III’s court. Present to witness this unparalleled honour would have been England's most powerful figures, chief among them the King himself.
It is certain that the King’s Counsel, including other earls and bishops, would have been in attendance, as would key figures of the royal household. One imagines the presence of Edward, the Black Prince, then Prince of Wales, observing the elevation of a man who was both his father’s most trusted commander and a distant cousin. The assembly represented the political, military, and spiritual leadership of the nation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The elevation of an earl to a duke in the 14th century was an act of immense statecraft, rich with symbolism. The ceremony would have begun with the reading of the royal charter by a clerk of the Crown. Following this proclamation, Henry would have knelt before King Edward III.
The King would then have performed the investiture, first girding the new Duke with a sword, signifying his military responsibilities and his duty to uphold justice. Next, a cap and coronet of estate would have been placed upon his head, symbols of his ducal rank, second only to that of the monarch and his heir. This ritual, a public and legally binding act, visibly transformed the Earl of Lancaster into England’s premier Duke, his Barony of Brattleby forming a key part of this new, vast domain.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms of Henry of Grosmont as Duke of Lancaster were a powerful visual statement: *Gules, three lions passant guardant Or, a label of three points Azure each charged with three fleurs-de-lys Or*. In plain English, this describes the royal arms of England (a red shield with three gold walking lions), differenced by a blue horizontal bar bearing French fleurs-de-lys, a nod to his royal lineage and military triumphs in France.
This heraldry spoke of proximity to the sovereign and service abroad. Its spirit is echoed in the motto of the modern House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Henry of Grosmont’s life was a masterclass in both qualities. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer Is to Live'), further reflects the martial spirit and determined will demonstrated by his distinguished predecessor.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While modern philanthropic structures were unknown in the 14th century, a tradition of pious endowment and social obligation was central to the noble life. Henry of Grosmont was a significant benefactor, most notably founding the collegiate Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady of the Newarke in Leicester, a centre for prayer and learning.
This nine-century thread of social responsibility continues today in the work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of charitable causes, is the modern expression of this enduring duty. The House is proud that its principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist care and therapy for children affected by trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of the 10th Baron, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Henry of Grosmont’s life reminds us that a title is not a prize, but a charge to keep. His ducal coronet was earned through diplomacy and on the battlefield, and he wielded his influence with a sense of duty to both Crown and country. It is this spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* that we strive to uphold in our own service today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Grosmont was a quintessentially English nobleman who was also a true European figure, as comfortable at a parley in Avignon as he was at a joust in Windsor. His legacy inspires the international outlook of our House, including the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which seeks to bridge cultures through an appreciation of timeless etiquette and protocol.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Henry of Grosmont is more than a historical footnote; it is a foundational element of the identity of the Barony of Brattleby. His life and accomplishments inform the modern House’s commitment to stewardship, cultural diplomacy, and the preservation of a heritage that has shaped the course of English history.
Through educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club and its dedicated philanthropic work, the House ensures that the legacy of its predecessors is not merely remembered, but actively continued. The principles of honour, service, and fortitude, exemplified by the first Duke of Lancaster, remain the guiding tenets for the 12th Baroness and her family as they carry the ancient Barony into the 21st century.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a unique nine-century heritage. The House champions a modern mission that pairs the traditions of an ancient English barony with a forward-looking, European perspective. Central to its work are philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House’s charitable activities are focused on supporting children's welfare, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. Its educational arm, The Brattleby Club, founded in Bucharest, promotes classical etiquette and protocol as a means of fostering international understanding, guided by the House motto, *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 lands and lineage are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the greatest medieval magnates: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern succession of the title was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *de jure*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com