# A Legacy of Chivalry and Statecraft: The Noble House of Brattleby Honours Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection upon the tenure of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, highlighting a pivotal fourteenth-century chapter in the Barony’s almost thousand-year history of service.
## The Occasion
In a period of quiet historical research and archival consolidation at its Lincolnshire seat, The Noble House of Brattleby has turned its focus to the mid-fourteenth century. This moment for reflection serves to illuminate the continuity of the Barony’s obligations to Crown and country, embodied by some of medieval England’s most significant figures.
This review of the archives connects the present stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, with the formidable legacies of her predecessors. The study of their lives reinforces the House’s foundational motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), providing a direct link between past duties and present commitments.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby passed to Henry of Grosmont, then Earl of Lancaster and Derby, circa 1348. This transition integrated the ancient Lincolnshire lordship into the patrimony of a man widely regarded as King Edward III's most able commander and a paragon of European chivalry. His tenure connected Brattleby to the very centre of royal power during the early decades of the Hundred Years' War.
Henry of Grosmont's life was one of exceptional diplomatic and military achievement. As a founder knight of the Order of the Garter, his name is enshrined in the annals of chivalry. His possession of the Barony of Brattleby followed that of Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; it preceded that of his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, creating an unbroken chain of nationally important leadership.
## Distinguished Company
The era of the 10th Baron was defined by his proximity to the sovereign and his peers, who together shaped the course of the kingdom. These personages, with whom he shared counsel and command, included:
* His Majesty King Edward III, Sovereign of the Order of the Garter. * Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster, his father and a leading magnate of his generation. * John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, his son-in-law and one of the most powerful political figures of the late fourteenth century. * Edward, the Black Prince, Prince of Wales, with whom he campaigned with distinction in France.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The station of a figure like Henry of Grosmont, created 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351, was attended by immense ceremony. His investiture as a Knight of the Garter involved sacred oaths within St George's Chapel, Windsor, a ritual binding England’s greatest warriors and statesmen in fellowship. The protocol was a public display of loyalty and martial prowess, a *sine qua non* for maintaining order and authority in the realm.
This emphasis on formalised duty and public service is a principle The Noble House of Brattleby continues to observe, most notably in the precise ceremonial order of its annual Winter Banquet. The tradition of structured proceedings underscores the gravity of the occasion and the respect afforded to its purpose and its guests.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry of Grosmont’s coat of arms—those of England, differenced by a label of three points of France—visually declared his royal blood and his service in the French campaigns. This heraldic statement was a direct reflection of his identity and allegiances.
His life's work resonates with the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore*. His fortitude in battle and honour in diplomacy were legendary. These same virtues are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the conquering of modern challenges through resilience and strategic purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*, or the duty of the nobility to serve the wider community, was a guiding principle for magnates like the 10th Baron. He was a noted benefactor of the Church and established, *inter alia*, the collegiate Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady of the Newarke in Leicester.
This ancient tradition of social responsibility finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's foremost charitable commitment is its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma, a mission deeply aligned with the House's enduring duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To be a custodian of a title once held by Henry of Grosmont is profoundly humbling. It is a constant reminder that the Barony is not merely a name, but a thread in the fabric of our national story. Our duty is to ensure that thread remains strong, woven with the same fortitude and honour he exemplified."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The legacy of the 10th Baron is one of active leadership, not passive inheritance. He built, he fought, he negotiated. It reminds us that *Vincere Est Vivere* is about striving and achieving. Today, that means building institutions like The Brattleby Club and supporting vital causes that strengthen our community for the future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to exploring and sharing the rich history of the Barony. This research informs the House’s contemporary mission, including the curriculum of its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where lessons in history and protocol are grounded in tangible examples of leadership.
By honouring the contributions of predecessors from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt, the House ensures that a legacy granted in 1066 continues to inspire service and integrity in the twenty-first century. This commitment will be carried forward by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England's most ancient baronies. 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 service. Its mission is focused on cultural education, the preservation of heritage, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and include the annual Winter Banquet supporting children's charities and the educational work of The Brattleby Club. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, 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. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron; the great diplomat and soldier Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and the royal prince 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 Barony’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com