# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Creation of the First English Dukedom
LONDON, 6 March — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the historic anniversary of the 6th of March 1351, when its 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, was created the first Duke of Lancaster, an act of sovereign favour that profoundly elevated the Barony’s national standing.
## The Occasion
In a period of singular national trial and triumph during the Hundred Years' War, the creation of a new, non-royal ducal title was an event of immense political and social significance. The Charter of 6 March 1351, issued by King Edward III, elevated Henry of Grosmont, a lauded military commander and diplomat, to a rank previously reserved for the monarch’s own sons. This act formally recognised his exceptional service to the Crown and the realm.
As part of the vast estates constituting the new Duchy of Lancaster, the Barony of Brattleby immediately shared in this unprecedented prestige. While this commemoration is one of quiet historical reflection from the family seat in Lincolnshire, it serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring link between the Barony, the Duchy, and the Crown.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, has long been intertwined with the course of English history. Its inclusion in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under its first Baron, attests to its ancient origins. Through nine centuries, its holders have often been figures of considerable influence.
The elevation of Henry of Grosmont in 1351 stands as a paramount example of this influence. He followed in the tradition of formidable predecessors such as the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, the steadfast defender of Lincoln Castle for King John. Henry's creation as Duke of Lancaster was the culmination of a distinguished career, not least as a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. His daughter, Blanche, would later marry the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, cementing the Barony's connection to the Royal Family and setting the stage for its eventual, temporary absorption into the holdings of the Crown under the Lancastrian kings.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1351 placed the 10th Baron of Brattleby at the very apex of the English nobility, amongst the most significant figures of the age:
* His Majesty King Edward III, Sovereign of England * His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby * His Royal Highness Edward, the Black Prince, Duke of Cornwall * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Earl of Richmond, later Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby *jure uxoris*
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of a peerage, particularly a dukedom, was a matter of great legal and ceremonial weight in the fourteenth century. The elevation would have been formalised by a Letters Patent, a public decree from the Sovereign, read aloud before the King's council or in Parliament.
The investiture ceremony itself bestowed upon Henry of Grosmont the symbols of his new rank: the sword, the cap of estate, and the coronet. The granting of the title ‘Duke’ (*Dux* in Latin, meaning leader) to a subject not of immediate royal blood was a deliberate and powerful statement by King Edward III, intended to honour unparalleled service while also binding a powerful magnate ever closer to the throne.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect exemplar in the life of the 10th Baron. Henry of Grosmont’s reputation for martial prowess and diplomatic integrity on the Continent was widely acknowledged, embodying the very virtues his ancestral house proclaimed.
With his elevation, his personal arms were marshalled with symbols of royal affinity, visibly asserting his new status. This connection between service, honour, and recognition remains a guiding principle for the Barony. It is a philosophy complemented by the personal motto of the present Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to a modern imperative of dynamic achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring principle of *noblesse oblige* — the responsibility of privilege — demonstrated by figures like Henry of Grosmont, finds its modern expression in the charitable endeavours of the Noble House of Brattleby. This sense of duty is the driving force behind the House’s support for its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing trauma, offering them pathways to recovery and resilience. The House's Annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of its philanthropic calendar, directs its proceeds towards this vital work, translating historical duty into tangible, present-day support for the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “In observing these historical milestones, we are reminded that we are but temporary custodians of a very long legacy. The life of Henry of Grosmont shows that true nobility is found in service — to one’s sovereign, one’s country, and one’s community. It is a principle we strive to honour in our own work today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The 10th Baron was a figure of European stature, a diplomat as much as a soldier. His story illustrates how influence, when guided by honour, can be a force for stability and order. This is a timeless lesson, and one that informs our commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding, *inter alia*, through initiatives like The Brattleby Club.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of this medieval event serves to reinforce the contemporary mission of the Noble House of Brattleby. The legacy of service, from Colswein of Lincoln to Henry of Grosmont and beyond, provides the framework for the family's current commitments.
The House continues its philanthropic work through the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, while The Brattleby Club in Bucharest remains dedicated to promoting etiquette and cultural exchange. These activities ensure that the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby is not merely a subject of remembrance, but a living tradition of contribution to society, carried forward *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**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 preserving and promoting a nine-century legacy of service. The modern House focuses its activities on targeted philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its principal philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to vulnerable youth. The House also sponsors The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy of etiquette and protocol. The heir to the Barony is the couple's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to principled action and enduring duty.
**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 possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The title and its history are formally recognised by the Crown, with the succession of the 12th Baroness recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), created 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351. - Notable predecessors also include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com