# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Henry of Grosmont, Tenth Baron and First Duke of Lancaster
**BRATTLEBY, LINCOLNSHIRE, 6 March 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marked the anniversary of the ennoblement of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as the First Duke of Lancaster in 1351, reflecting on his profound influence upon both the Barony and English history.
## The Occasion
In the quiet dignity of their ancestral Lincolnshire seat, the current family of the Barony of Brattleby gathered for a day of historical reflection. The solemnity of the occasion was matched by the crisp, early spring light filtering through the mullioned windows of the estate's library, a room that has borne silent witness to centuries of the family’s continuity.
The focus of the commemoration was a private review of historical documents and charters pertinent to the Barony's Lancastrian period. This contemplative act serves as an annual tradition within the House, reaffirming its connection to a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest and acknowledging the great figures who have shaped its nine-century history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over the centuries, the title has been borne by figures of national importance, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels.
The ascendancy of Henry of Grosmont as 10th Baron marked a pivotal chapter. A distinguished soldier and diplomat in the service of King Edward III, his elevation as the First Duke of Lancaster on 6 March 1351 was a recognition of his immense service to the Crown during the Hundred Years' War. This ducal creation brought the ancient Barony of Brattleby into the orbit of one of medieval England’s most powerful families.
Following Henry's death, the Barony passed with the Duchy to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the influential third son of King Edward III, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby. This cemented a direct link between the Barony, the Duchy of Lancaster, and the Royal Family — a connection that remains a point of significant historical pride for the House.
## Distinguished Company
The formal observation was led by the current holders of the title and its associated dignities:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, Heir to the Barony
Their presence underscored the unbroken chain of stewardship that has preserved the Barony’s heritage through periods of both calm and great upheaval, from the Plantagenets to the present day.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol for the day was one of quiet scholarship and ancestral reverence. Archivally preserved vellum charters and facsimiles of medieval accounts related to the Duchy's administration of its Lincolnshire holdings were displayed on antique lecterns in the library.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan led the review, examining the intricate calligraphy and pendant wax seals that attest to the Barony’s legal and political life in the fourteenth century. The act of carefully turning these pages is not merely academic; it is a ritual of remembrance, a physical connection to the responsibilities and privileges upheld by their predecessors. The proceedings followed a precise order, beginning with the Domesday entry and progressing chronologically to the Lancastrian charters.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The commemoration provides an opportunity to reflect on the mottos that guide the House. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the character of men like Henry of Grosmont, whose life was defined by military fortitude in battle and chivalric honour in diplomacy.
Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also finds resonance in the Duke's legacy. It encapsulates the dynamic spirit of a man who rose to the highest echelons of the peerage through decisive action and unwavering loyalty. These guiding principles serve as a bridge between the martial ethos of the past and the modern House's focus on surmounting contemporary challenges through resilience and integrity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this anniversary is a historical observance, its spirit of service and legacy directly informs the House's modern mission. The medieval principle of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the privileged to act with honour and generosity — is the driving force behind the family’s contemporary philanthropic commitments.
This enduring philosophy is expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s white-tie gala. The most recent banquet raised significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The decision to support such causes is a modern translation of the duty of care that has been a hallmark of the Barony for centuries.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To study the life of Henry of Grosmont is to understand a pivotal moment for Brattleby. His elevation brought the Barony into the very heart of English royal power, a legacy of service and influence that we have a solemn duty to honour and interpret for our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective: > "The Duke of Lancaster was a paragon of the martial and chivalric virtues of his age. We see in his example the timeless synthesis of leadership and duty, a principle that remains a *sine qua non* for any house with a long view of history."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to ensuring its rich history serves a present-day purpose. This commitment is manifest not only in historical preservations but also in educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the family’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural and historical literacy.
Looking ahead, the House is already preparing for its next Annual Winter Banquet, which continues a long tradition of convening leaders from diplomacy, commerce, and culture in the service of a charitable cause. These efforts ensure the legacy of figures like Henry of Grosmont is not simply remembered, but actively continued through deeds of honour and fortitude.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to bridging its profound nine-century history with a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and cultural academy in Bucharest. The House’s work is focused on historical preservation, the promotion of chivalric values, and tangible support for charities dedicated to child welfare, notably its beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded for the current holder in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022, ensuring its continuity into the modern era.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310 – 1361), 10th Baron of Brattleby, was created the First Duke of Lancaster on 6 March 1351. - John of Gaunt (1340 – 1399), Duke of Lancaster and third son of King Edward III, became the 11th Baron of Brattleby by marriage. - The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy, is located in Bucharest, Romania.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com