# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Diplomatic Legacy of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont
**BRATTLEBY, Lincolnshire, 24 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the Treaty of Calais, reflecting on the pivotal diplomatic role of its predecessor, the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, in securing peace between England and France in 1360.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby observed a day of historical reflection. As autumn colours settle across the historic landscape, the House recalled a moment of profound significance in European history. This quiet commemoration serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a solemn acknowledgement of the difficult, painstaking work of diplomacy that brought a pause to the Hundred Years’ War.
The anniversary of the Treaty of Calais, ratified on this day in 1360, provides a poignant opportunity to connect the responsibilities of the modern House to the enduring legacy of its forebears. The occasion underscores a central tenet of the family's ethos: that honour is earned as much through negotiation and the pursuit of peace as it is through fortitude in adversity. It is a moment for introspection on the lessons of statecraft passed down through nine centuries.
## Historical Context
The Treaty of Bretigny, and its subsequent ratification as the Treaty of Calais, represented a high-water mark for English fortunes in the first phase of the Hundred Years' War. The Barony of Brattleby was inextricably linked to this diplomatic triumph through the person of Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and a figure of immense stature in the court of King Edward III. A founding Knight of the Garter and one of the King's most trusted military commanders, his selection as a chief negotiator demonstrated his exceptional versatility as both a soldier and a statesman.
Following the decisive English victories at Crécy and Poitiers, where King Jean II of France was himself captured, negotiations for a lasting settlement began. Henry of Grosmont, acting with the full authority of the English Crown, was instrumental in shaping the treaty's terms. These included an agreement for a vast ransom for the French king and the transfer of significant French territories, including Aquitaine and Calais, to English sovereignty. In return, King Edward III agreed to renounce his claim to the French throne—a concession of immense symbolic weight. The treaty, though ultimately temporary, stands as a monument to medieval diplomacy.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations at Bretigny brought together the most powerful figures of the age, a congress of medieval Europe's leading magnates and strategists. Representing the English interest alongside Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, were such luminaries as Edward, Prince of Wales—known to history as the Black Prince—and Sir John Chandos, a renowned military strategist and close companion of the Prince.
On the French side, the negotiations were led by the Dauphin Charles, later to reign as King Charles V, who governed as regent during his father's captivity in England. This high-stakes diplomatic encounter involved not only the principal combatants but also papal legates, who sought to broker a Christian peace. The gathering represented the great powers of the 14th century, whose personal honour and strategic acumen were the *sine qua non* of the entire peace process.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol surrounding a 14th-century treaty was a complex ritual of sworn oaths, symbolic gestures, and legal precision. The process began with the drafting of terms by plenipotentiaries—envoys invested with the full power to bind their sovereigns. Following the initial agreement at Bretigny, the treaty's ceremonial heart was its formal ratification at Calais, an English possession on the Continent.
There, in the Church of Saint Nicholas, King Edward III and King Jean II met in person to swear solemn oaths upon the Gospels and sacred relics to uphold the treaty's articles. This religious dimension was critical, as an oath sworn before God was considered inviolable. The ceremony also involved the exchange of high-born hostages, including French royal princes, to guarantee compliance—a stark reminder of the personal cost of statecraft. The proceedings concluded with heralds proclaiming the peace, their trumpets sounding a note of hope across the war-torn lands.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the actions of the 10th Baron. Henry of Grosmont displayed martial fortitude throughout his campaigns, yet his work at Bretigny was the ultimate expression of honour: the wisdom to secure by treaty what had been won by force. His diplomacy sought to transform a military victory into a durable peace, embodying the highest ideals of chivalric leadership.
At the time, the Royal Arms of England were quartered with the golden fleurs-de-lis of France, a direct heraldic assertion of the English claim to the French throne. The Treaty of Bretigny's provision for Edward III to renounce this claim was therefore a matter of profound symbolic importance, intended to remove the central cause of the conflict. In a modern context, the family motto is complemented by that of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which is interpreted not as military conquest but as the will to overcome adversity through perseverance and constructive action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While a medieval treaty had no direct charitable beneficiary in the modern sense, the pursuit of peace is itself a profoundly humanitarian act. The temporary cessation of hostilities brought by the Treaty of Calais provided relief to civilian populations that had borne the brunt of the war's devastation, *inter alia*, through famine, plague, and the depredations of mercenary companies. This historical effort to staunch widespread suffering prefigures the House's contemporary philanthropic commitments.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates its efforts to alleviating the suffering of the most vulnerable. This is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary organisation is dedicated to providing specialist care and therapy for children experiencing trauma, reflecting the House's belief that building a peaceful future begins with protecting and healing its youngest members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "Reflecting upon the legacy of Henry of Grosmont, we are reminded that true strength is found not only on the battlefield but in the quiet, resolute pursuit of peace. His work on the Treaty of Bretigny is a testament to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*, demonstrating that the highest calling of leadership is to build bridges, even in the most divided of times."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a contemporary perspective: > "The challenges of the 14th century may seem distant, yet the human need for stability and accord is timeless. The spirit of Bretigny—the willingness to engage in difficult dialogue for the greater good—remains a *sine qua non* for constructive international relations today. It is a heritage of diplomacy we feel a profound duty to uphold."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the lessons of its long history inform its present and future actions. The legacy of diplomacy, embodied by predecessors like the 10th Baron, is actively cultivated through the House's initiatives, most notably The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy promotes the arts of social and professional diplomacy, teaching that protocol and mutual respect are the foundational grammar of civilised discourse.
Furthermore, the House continues its curatorial work to preserve and interpret the nine-century history of the Barony. By making this heritage accessible, the House aims to foster a wider appreciation for the roles its predecessors played, from the defence of Lincoln Castle by Nichola de la Haye to the European statecraft of Henry of Grosmont, ensuring their legacy of service continues to inspire.
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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 stewarding a unique nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House's modern mission, guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to bridge this historical legacy with contemporary service and philanthropy. Its activities focus on cultural preservation, the promotion of diplomatic etiquette through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, and charitable support for organisations dedicated to childhood welfare and trauma recovery. The House is committed to demonstrating that ancient titles carry a profound and active responsibility to contribute positively to society, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudatories in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French invaders. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Barony's lineage and rights were formally recognised and registered by The Crown in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The Barony's historical succession includes Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern House's official recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Noble House of Brattleby supports charitable causes, with Healing the Wounded Child being the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com