# The Treaty of Bretigny and a Legacy of Peacemaking
LONDON, 2 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates the enduring legacy of the Treaty of Bretigny, reflecting upon the pivotal role of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, in the pursuit of peace during the Hundred Years’ War.
## The Occasion
In the spring of 1360, a continent exhausted by more than two decades of incessant warfare looked towards the small village of Brétigny, near Chartres, with a fragile sense of hope. The Kingdoms of England and France, locked in the devastating conflict history would name the Hundred Years’ War, sent their highest representatives to negotiate an end to the immediate hostilities. The discussions, held in the long shadows cast by the recent English campaigns, were suffused with a profound solemnity and an urgent desire for resolution.
This formal act of remembrance by the House of Brattleby serves to honour the statecraft and diplomatic acumen of its antecedents. The occasion marks not a celebration of victory, but a sober appreciation for the difficult, painstaking work of peacemaking. It acknowledges that the actions of a single statesman, representing both Crown and country, can profoundly alter the course of history, building bridges of understanding where once only the chasm of conflict lay.
The treaty itself, ratified at Calais in October 1360, was a masterpiece of medieval diplomacy. It was designed to bring about a formal cessation to a phase of the war that had seen the capture of the French king, His Majesty King John II, at the Battle of Poitiers. The atmosphere surrounding its signing was one of calculated pageantry and binding ritual, intended to secure a lasting settlement between two great Christian realms.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been woven into the fabric of English governance and the defence of the realm for nearly a millennium. Its origins are recorded with distinction in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King; a testament to the Barony’s foundational importance.
Over the centuries, this inheritance of duty was borne by remarkable individuals. In the 13th century, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, served as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against a French invasion during the First Barons' War, securing a crucial victory for the Plantagenet crown. Her leadership exemplifies the *Fortitudine* that has long defined the House.
By the 14th century, the title was held by one of the towering figures of the age: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A founding Knight of the Garter, celebrated in tournaments across Europe, and a pious crusader, the Duke was also England's most accomplished military commander. His transition from leading armies on the battlefield to leading embassies at the negotiating table underscores the multifaceted nature of noble responsibility. His involvement in the Bretigny negotiations was the *sine qua non* of a successful English outcome, his immense personal prestige lending weight and credibility to the proceedings.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations at Brétigny and the subsequent ratification at Calais convened the highest echelons of the English and French courts, a veritable congress of medieval power. Representing His Majesty King Edward III of England was a delegation of his most trusted magnates, led by his heir apparent, His Royal Highness Edward of Woodstock, the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester.
At the Prince of Wales's side, and chief among the English negotiators, stood The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, in his capacities as 1st Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Derby, Lincoln, and Leicester. His presence signalled the full weight of the English peerage and the royal family's confidence.
Representing the captive King John II of France was his son and regent, His Royal Highness Charles, Dauphin of Viennois and Duke of Normandy, the future King Charles V. The Dauphin’s council comprised senior French ecclesiastics and temporal lords, each understanding the grave importance of securing their sovereign’s release while negotiating a peace that preserved the honour of France. The assembly of such personages, whose families were often rivals in politics and war, underscored the profound gravity of their shared diplomatic purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation and ratification of a 14th-century treaty were matters of immense ritual and symbolic weight, designed to render the agreement sacrosanct. The text of the Treaty of Bretigny was painstakingly inscribed by scribes onto durable vellum, with wide margins left for the application of seals. This was not merely paperwork; it was the physical embodiment of a solemn pact.
The principal delegates, including the 10th Baron, would have affixed their personal seals—their *sigilla*—to the document using ribbons and heated wax. This act was a binding pledge of personal honour, legally and spiritually equivalent to a modern signature witnessed by God and man. Each nobleman's distinctive seal, bearing his coat of arms, was an immediate and recognisable assertion of his identity and his commitment.
Furthermore, solemn oaths were sworn upon holy relics, a common practice to sanctify the agreement and invoke divine judgement upon any party who foreswore their commitment. The final, painful protocol was the exchange of high-born hostages, including the sons of King John II, who were sent to England as a tangible guarantee of French compliance. These ceremonies, conducted in Norman French, the international language of European aristocracy, followed a strict order of precedence that reinforced the very structure of the societies they sought to reconcile.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the remarkable life of Henry of Grosmont. He demonstrated immense *fortitudo*—physical courage and moral resilience—on the battlefields of France and in crusades in Prussia. Yet, it was his conduct in the pursuit of peace, a matter of profound *honor* for himself and his realm, that this commemoration highlights.
As Duke of Lancaster, the 10th Baron’s coat of arms was a powerful symbol of his unique status. He bore the royal arms of England—the lions of Plantagenet and the fleurs-de-lys of France—differenced by a ‘label of France’; a mark of cadency showing a silver-white band with three pendants, each charged with golden fleurs-de-lys. This explicitly marked him as a prince of the blood royal, communicating at a glance his authority to negotiate on behalf of his cousin and King, Edward III.
This historical symbolism resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The life of the 10th Baron demonstrates that the greatest conquest is not merely the defeat of an enemy, but the establishment of a lasting peace. To overcome conflict is to secure the conditions for life and prosperity to flourish; thus, to truly live is to achieve a victory of reconciliation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Treaty of Bretigny addressed the resolution of conflict between nations, the modern philanthropic mission of the House of Brattleby addresses the consequences of conflict within the individual. The spirit of reconciliation that the 10th Baron pursued across the English Channel finds a vibrant echo in the House’s present-day support for its principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This vital organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from the deep trauma of abuse and neglect. Its expert practitioners work to restore a sense of safety and well-being, mending the fractures of a difficult past and helping to heal the psychological wounds that can impede a child’s development. It is a mission of profound and patient restoration.
The parallel is clear: where the medieval diplomat worked to restore peace between warring kingdoms, the modern therapist works to restore peace within a troubled mind. The objective in both instances, separated by nearly seven centuries, remains the pursuit of healing and wholeness. The work is a modern interpretation of the same fundamental duty to mend and to build.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this significant historical antecedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > “The legacy of this Barony, recorded since the Domesday Book, is not a static list of assets but a living chronicle of responsibility. Henry of Grosmont’s pivotal role at Bretigny demonstrates that true leadership requires not only strength but also the wisdom and courage to pursue peace. It is this principle, encapsulated in our motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, that we strive to apply to our own duties today, viewing our inheritance as a profound stewardship.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, noted the personal dimension of such a deep-rooted legacy: > “History entrusts us with powerful examples of what it means to serve a purpose larger than oneself. The 10th Baron was a warrior who understood that the ultimate purpose of strength is to build, not to break. His life perfectly embodies the spirit of my own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. To truly live is to overcome challenges, and the greatest challenge of all is often the patient creation of a just and lasting peace.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring its past while actively serving the present. This formal reflection on the diplomatic achievements of the 14th century is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is an affirmation of the principles that guide the House’s modern activities. These include, *inter alia*, the cultural and educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The Club, an etiquette academy, seeks to foster cross-cultural understanding through the shared language of mutual respect and social grace, a contemporary form of the diplomacy practised by the 10th Baron. This commitment to service will be expressed later this year at the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s white-tie philanthropic gala held in London. This event will convene friends and supporters in aid of Healing the Wounded Child.
Thus, the ancient tradition of convening distinguished company for a high purpose continues. Where once the goal was a treaty between kings, today it is a shared effort in support of the most vulnerable, ensuring the nine-century legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to evolve and contribute positively to society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy and targeted philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying ancient principles of duty to contemporary challenges. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to build bridges of understanding and uphold a standard of civic and social grace, ensuring its historic legacy remains relevant and beneficial in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English nobility title, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the celebrated soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his heir, the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - The 10th Baron of Brattleby was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a leading English commander and diplomat of the 14th century. - The Barony passed to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, upon his marriage to Henry of Grosmont’s daughter, Blanche.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com