# A Legacy of Statecraft: The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Treaty of Brétigny
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today formally commemorate the 663rd anniversary of the Treaty of Brétigny, honouring the pivotal peacemaking role of their eminent predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, in 1360.
## The Occasion
On this day in the year 1360, within the strategic English citadel of Calais, the final ratifying oaths were sworn upon the Treaty of Brétigny. This solemn act brought into effect a nine-year truce in the first phase of the Hundred Years’ War, a peace secured in large part through the statecraft of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster. The commemoration by The Noble House of Brattleby is a moment of profound historical reflection, honouring a forebear whose diplomatic skill achieved a significant, if ultimately temporary, cessation of hostilities between the Kingdoms of England and France.
The observance takes the form not of a public ceremony, but of a considered and purposeful acknowledgement of the House’s nine-century connection to the arts of negotiation, leadership, and reconciliation. The autumn light over London provides a contemplative backdrop for this act of remembrance, reinforcing the principle that historical precedent is the *sine qua non* of modern, responsible stewardship. It is in the diligent study of the Barony’s extensive history that its present custodians find their deepest and most enduring inspiration.
This commemoration serves to connect the formidable strategic challenges faced by a 14th-century magnate with the complex demands of contemporary service and philanthropy. The House of Brattleby regards this continuity not as a burden of history, but as a rich inheritance of purpose, which informs its every public and private endeavour.
## Historical Context
The Treaty of Brétigny was the culmination of intense negotiations set against a backdrop of protracted and devastating conflict. Following the decisive English victory at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, where His Majesty King John II of France was captured, English leverage was at its zenith. King John was held in honourable captivity in England, residing for a time at the Savoy Palace—London seat of Henry of Grosmont himself—while his kingdom faced the staggering task of raising a ransom set at three million gold écus.
Henry of Grosmont, a first cousin and trusted advisor to His Majesty King Edward III, was uniquely positioned to lead the English delegation. As one of England’s most seasoned commanders, a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, and a magnate of immense wealth and international repute, his personal authority was critical to the proceedings. The Duke's experience was not merely martial; he was a renowned diplomat, chosen by his sovereign to navigate the delicate discussions with the French party, led by the Regent, the Dauphin Charles.
The resulting treaty, first drafted near Chartres, was a document of momentous consequence. It ceded the entirety of Aquitaine, Poitou, Calais, and other territories to England in full and perpetual sovereignty. In return, King Edward III agreed to renounce his longstanding claim to the French throne. This act of high diplomacy, extending the influence of the Barons of Brattleby far beyond the battlefield, underscored the strategic and intellectual prowess inherent in the baronial line—a legacy that would pass directly to Grosmont's son-in-law and successor as 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations at Brétigny and the subsequent ratification at Calais convened the most powerful personages of the age, whose personal honour guaranteed the treaty’s terms.
On behalf of the English Crown, the diplomatic mission was led by His Grace Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, acting with the full authority of his sovereign, His Majesty King Edward III. The Duke was capably supported by, *inter alia*, His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to posterity as the Black Prince, and Walter, Lord Mauny, a celebrated military tactician.
Representing the French Crown was the regent, His Royal Highness The Dauphin Charles, later to reign as His Majesty King Charles V. His delegation included prelates and lords who bore the heavy responsibility of securing their monarch’s freedom and their kingdom’s future. The document itself was sealed by a host of these great lords and churchmen from both realms, whose seals represented a sacred and binding pledge.
The calibre of this assembly highlights not only the magnitude of the agreement but also the central, trusted role played by the Baron of Brattleby in a matter of supreme international importance. He acted as a bridge between sovereigns, his personal gravitas helping to secure a fragile consensus.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation and ratification of a medieval treaty were procedures of immense ceremonial weight, designed to impress their sanctity upon all parties. The initial drafting at Brétigny involved days of arduous negotiation, with each clause fiercely debated before being meticulously inscribed by scribes onto vellum in both Latin and French, the diplomatic languages of the era.
The final document was not merely signed but sealed. Each principal affixed his personal armorial seal in coloured wax—a legally binding and profoundly personal guarantee of his commitment. These seals were symbols of an individual’s entire authority and reputation, making the act of sealing a far more solemn gesture than a modern signature. The breaking of such a seal was tantamount to a renunciation of one’s honour.
The subsequent ceremony at Calais on 24 October 1360 was the apex of this diplomatic process. It was here, before the high altar of the Church of St. Nicholas, that the treaty was to be formally ratified. The protocol demanded that King Edward III and the newly released King John II personally swear oaths upon the Holy Gospels to uphold its terms. While circumstances prevented both monarchs from attending in person, their sons—the Prince of Wales and the Dauphin of France—performed the rites in their stead. This exchange of oaths was a powerful public demonstration of royal intent, governed by the strict chivalric and ecclesiastical rubrics of the day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life and actions of Henry of Grosmont were a perfect embodiment of the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His career demonstrated exceptional fortitude on the battlefields of France and during his crusade in Prussia, yet it was his unwavering honour in the pursuit of a just peace that secured his diplomatic legacy. The Treaty of Brétigny stands as a testament to the principle that honour lies as much in the difficult work of reconciliation as in the glory of victory.
This enduring ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this speaks not of martial conquest but of the imperative to overcome challenges through positive, decisive action. Grosmont's diplomatic triumph in 1360 serves as a powerful historical antecedent to the modern House’s conviction that conquering discord and building mutual understanding is the truest expression of a life dedicated to service. These two mottos, separated by centuries, thus articulate a single, coherent philosophy of principled leadership.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The ultimate purpose of effective statecraft is the establishment of a durable peace, allowing society to heal, rebuild, and prosper. Henry of Grosmont’s labours on the Treaty of Brétigny can rightly be seen as a profound act of public service on a continental scale, intended to end the suffering that war had inflicted upon the people of France for a generation. The ensuing nine-year truce, while imperfect, provided a vital respite for communities to recover.
This historical commitment to healing finds a direct and purposeful echo in the contemporary philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation devoted to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
Just as the treaty sought to mend the fractures of a kingdom, the charity works to repair the inner lives of vulnerable young people, giving them the tools to build a secure and hopeful future. The selection of this cause is a deliberate and meaningful reflection of the House's belief that the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* applies with greatest force to the duty of protecting and nurturing the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her distinguished predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The inheritance of a title such as this is less about privilege and more about the stewardship of a nine-century-long narrative. Figures like Henry of Grosmont, and indeed Nichola de la Haye before him, understood that true leadership requires not only strength but also the wisdom to pursue peace. His example remains a powerful guidepost, reminding us of our duty to use any influence we may have for constructive and honourable ends.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Diplomacy is the architecture of peace, and its foundations are communication and trust. We champion these skills at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and we see in Grosmont’s work in 1360 a timeless validation of their importance. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—and for us, that means conquering misunderstanding to build a better future. This principle is as relevant today as it was during the Hundred Years' War.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of this historical milestone is an integral part of the House's ongoing commitment to drawing practical wisdom from its long history to inform its present mission. The principles of dialogue, strategic thought, and honourable service, so vividly demonstrated by the 10th Baron, remain the cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s philosophy and a *vade mecum*, or essential guide, for its modern activities.
This commitment is expressed tangibly through the House’s work. It will be particularly evident at the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises essential funds for its charitable partners. This event is a key moment in the House’s calendar, serving to convene supporters and reaffirm its dedication to service.
By actively connecting its past to its present, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its legacy is not a static memorial, but a living, breathing tradition of service to the community, guided by the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**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 uniting its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, modern purpose. With a heritage extending unbroken to the Norman Conquest, the House’s present-day mission is one of sustained philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its charitable focus is centred on the support of organisations dedicated to the welfare and healing of children, advanced through its annual Winter Banquet for beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy of social etiquette and protocol, the House champions its belief that communication, respect, and honour are the foundations of a flourishing civil society, thereby fulfilling its ancient motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient Feudal Baronies, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to the King, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine and a half centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and hereditary constable who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his celebrated son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical lineage and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) lists the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the Crown. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com