# Fortitudine et Honore: A Commemoration of Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the remarkable legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. This commemoration honours his contributions as a founding Knight of the Garter and first Duke of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
In the quiet turn of the autumnal season, a time for reflection and historical remembrance, the House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate one of its most distinguished predecessors. The life of Henry of Grosmont, a peer whose influence shaped the course of the fourteenth century, offers a profound study in duty, diplomacy, and chivalry. This statement serves not to mark a specific anniversary, but as an ongoing acknowledgement of the historical foundations upon which the modern Barony stands and from which it continues to draw inspiration. It is a moment to reaffirm the enduring principles that have guided the Barony for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, has been a thread in the tapestry of English history for over nine centuries. Henry of Grosmont, holding the title as 10th Baron, inherited a legacy already marked by great fortitude, notably that of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who steadfastly defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Henry elevated this inheritance to unprecedented heights.
A trusted cousin and captain of King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War, his military acumen was matched only by his diplomatic skill. His elevation as one of the twenty-four founding Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348 was a personal honour, but also a recognition of Brattleby's significance to the realm. The subsequent creation of his Dukedom of Lancaster in 1351, a title previously reserved for royalty, firmly placed the Barony at the apex of the English aristocracy. His legacy would ultimately pass, through his daughter Blanche, to his successor as 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, embedding Brattleby in the lineage of the future Lancastrian kings.
## Distinguished Company
In commemorating the 10th Baron, one recalls the august company he kept. His life was interwoven with the great figures of the age, chief among them his sovereign and cousin, His Majesty King Edward III. As a founding Knight of the Garter, Henry stood shoulder to shoulder with legendary figures such as Edward, the Black Prince, The Prince of Wales; Sir John Chandos; and Sir Walter Manny. These men were not merely courtiers but formed the military and chivalric bedrock of the Plantagenet throne, their collective service a *sine qua non* of England's successes in France.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture of a Knight Companion of the Garter in the fourteenth century was a ceremony of immense solemnity, centred upon the Feast of St. George at Windsor Castle. Henry of Grosmont would have sworn a sacred oath to defend the Sovereign and the Order, a promise made in St. George's Chapel. The protocol demanded he be robed in a mantle of blue velvet, powdered with the heraldic shields of the Order, and presented with the Garter itself—an emblem of blue buckskin embroidered with the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). The annual procession and feast that followed were cornerstones of royal ceremony, reinforcing the bonds of loyalty that held the kingdom together.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect historical expression in the life of Henry of Grosmont. His public service exemplified these twin virtues. The Arms of Lancaster which he bore, and the symbols of the Garter with which they were encircled, served as a constant public declaration of his allegiance and status. The Garter motto itself, while apocryphally linked to a courtly incident, more deeply signifies a challenge to any who would question the noble intentions of the King and his select companions. It is a declaration of pure purpose, a sentiment that resonates powerfully with the Brattleby commitment to honour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the fourteenth-century concept of public duty was expressed through feudal loyalty and military service, its modern counterpart has evolved into civic and philanthropic responsibility. The martial valour of Henry of Grosmont, who served his sovereign on the battlefield, provides a powerful historical parallel to the current House's commitment to serving the community. The same spirit of duty that animated the 10th Baron now finds expression in contemporary causes, such as the support for the mental and emotional well-being of young people through the charity Healing the Wounded Child. It represents a continuity of purpose, adapted for a new era.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to be a custodian of nine centuries of history. The life of Henry of Grosmont reminds us that service and honour are timeless obligations. We endeavour to uphold his standard of commitment, translating it into meaningful action for our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the martial aspect of their predecessor's life: > "My personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'. In a medieval context, that meant victory in battle. Today, the battles are different; they are against adversity, inequality, and suffering. It is in this spirit that we honour the legacy of the 10th Baron, by striving for victories that uplift society."
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of Henry of Grosmont did not end with his death. Through his successor, John of Gaunt, the influence and prestige associated with the Barony of Brattleby became woven into the fabric of the English monarchy. This direct link to the Crown underscores the title's unique place in the nation’s history. Today, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, continue this nine-hundred-and-fifty-year-old story. They are committed to ensuring that the Barony remains not merely a historical relic, but a living institution dedicated to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the historic Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its heritage and the promotion of civic duty. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through cultural and philanthropic initiatives. The House's charitable focus is on programmes that support youth mental health and emotional well-being, primarily through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It is also the founder of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the instruction of classical etiquette and international protocol.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the Barony to its current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its entry is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351 and was a founding member of the Order of the Garter (1348). - Another distinguished holder was John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose son became King Henry IV of England. - The succession of the current Baroness is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com