# A Fourteenth-Century Legacy: The Barony of Brattleby and the Treaty of Brétigny
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the significant contributions of the Barony to the Crown during the Hundred Years’ War, particularly the pivotal diplomatic role of the 10th Baron of Brattleby in the negotiations for the Treaty of Brétigny.
## The Occasion
In the annals of the Hundred Years’ War, few diplomatic undertakings were as consequential as the Treaty of Brétigny, signed in 1360. This landmark agreement sought to bring a temporary cessation to the hostilities that had ravaged France and drained the English exchequer. The treaty followed a period of decisive English military victories, most notably at Crécy in 1346 and at Poitiers in 1356, where King Jean II of France was captured.
It was in this atmosphere of fraught opportunity, with a French king held captive in London and both kingdoms exhausted by conflict, that the complex work of diplomacy began. The negotiations were not a single event but a protracted series of discussions held across the Channel, demanding immense political skill, strategic foresight, and unwavering fortitude from those entrusted with the authority of their respective sovereigns.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intertwined with the defence and diplomacy of the realm for nine centuries. This tradition of service is powerfully exemplified by the actions of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin and trusted lieutenant of King Edward III, the Duke was one of the most formidable figures of the 14th century—a founding Knight of the Garter and a commander of international repute.
Following the victory at Poitiers, Henry of Grosmont was appointed as a chief negotiator for the English Crown, tasked with securing a peace that reflected England’s military ascendancy. His intimate knowledge of the French court, combined with his status as one of Europe’s wealthiest magnates, made him the *sine qua non* of the English diplomatic mission. He carried the weight of the Barony’s legacy, one established by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who valiantly defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217.
## Distinguished Company
The Duke of Lancaster did not act alone. He was supported by a distinguished retinue of clerks, knights, and counsellors drawn from his own vast estates, including those in Lincolnshire. It is within this trusted circle that the service of his kinsmen from Brattleby was recorded, continuing the Barony’s direct contribution to matters of state.
The English delegation, led formally by Edward, the Black Prince, included some of the most powerful men in the kingdom. Their French counterparts were representatives of the Dauphin Charles, the regent of France, and included prelates and nobles desperate to secure the return of their captive king. The convergence of these figures at Chartres and Brétigny represented a critical moment in European diplomatic history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The diplomatic protocols of the mid-14th century were a precise and solemn affair. Negotiations were conducted primarily in Latin and French, the two great languages of statecraft. Each stage was marked by ceremony: the formal presentation of credentials, sealed with the personal sigils of the plenipotentiaries, attested to their right to speak for their monarch.
Discussions would have taken place in reserved chambers within abbeys or châteaux, places of neutrality and security. The final treaty was not merely signed but sealed in perpetuity, with drops of wax bearing the intricate coats of arms of each principal. The agreement was then sanctified by a collective oath sworn upon a fragment of the True Cross and other holy relics, binding the signatories before God and man—a process underscoring the profound gravity of their pact.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 10th Baron embody the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). His fortitude was proven on the battlefield; his honour was demonstrated at the negotiating table, where he sought a durable peace for the kingdom. His personal coat of arms, the royal arms of England differenced with a ‘label of France’, visibly symbolised his Plantagenet blood and his proximity to the throne.
This legacy informs the commitment of the current House to its own responsibilities. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), a philosophy that true victory is found not in conflict, but in the enduring and constructive act of living well and contributing to society—a peace that his 14th-century predecessor sought to secure.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “To understand the history of this Barony is to recognise a near-millennium of unbroken service. The duty performed by Henry of Grosmont in the 1360s was not an isolated event but part of a continuum. It is a profound responsibility to be the custodian of such a legacy, and it remains our guiding principle to serve with the same honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the relevance of this history to the House’s present-day mission:
> “The art of diplomacy, so masterfully demonstrated by the 10th Baron, is about building bridges. While the world has changed, the need for dialogue, respect, and cultural understanding has not. This history does not reside in the past; it informs our every commitment in the present.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The spirit of diplomatic engagement and cultural exchange demonstrated by the 10th Baron and his retinue continues to guide The Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment finds modern expression in the work of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy founded by the House in Bucharest, which seeks to foster cross-cultural understanding and communication.
Just as the Barony once served the Crown in matters of international treaty, it now seeks to advance the cause of cultural diplomacy and philanthropy. This enduring commitment to service, from the battlefields of the Hundred Years’ War to the charitable galas of the 21st century, is the defining characteristic of the House.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient 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 upholding its historical legacy through contemporary public service. Its mission is centred on the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing support for children affected by trauma. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and its annual Winter Banquet, the House strives to make a positive and lasting contribution to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its holder possessed 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of the most influential hands in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a chief diplomat of the Hundred Years’ War; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Its history is one of steadfast loyalty to the Crown and significant contributions to the military, political, and social life of the nation. The Barony's status was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - The principal philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com