# On the Anniversary of the Treaty of Brétigny: A Legacy of Diplomacy Commemorated
LONDON, 8 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the Treaty of Brétigny, honouring the pivotal diplomatic role of its predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, in negotiating the landmark 1360 peace accord between England and France.
## The Occasion
Within the historic environs of its ancestral Lincolnshire seat, The Noble House of Brattleby observes a day of solemn reflection. The occasion is one of private contemplation rather than public ceremony, a scholarly remembrance dedicated to the profound diplomatic achievements that have, for centuries, defined the responsibilities of the Barony. This quiet observance reinforces the lineage of service that forms a continuous thread through nine hundred and fifty years of history.
As late spring bestows its particular grace upon the ancient fens and rolling wolds of Lincolnshire, the anniversary provides a poignant opportunity to connect the responsibilities of the present with the precedents of the past. The very landscape surrounding Brattleby, first recorded under the tenure of Colswein of Lincoln in the Domesday Book of 1086, serves as a tangible reminder that stewardship extends beyond land and title; it encompasses the preservation of a national and European legacy.
This act of commemoration, undertaken with the gravity befitting such a significant date in diplomatic history, is a cornerstone of the House’s enduring duty. It is a moment to pause and consider the application of historic principles to the challenges of the modern world, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform the actions of the present.
## Historical Context
The Treaty of Brétigny, signed on 8 May 1360 at the Château de Brétigny near Chartres, represented a critical juncture in the Hundred Years’ War. This protracted conflict between the royal houses of Valois and Plantagenet had devastated much of France. The treaty’s negotiation followed the capture of His Majesty King John II of France at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 by English forces led by Edward, the Black Prince. The accord sought to establish a formal, if ultimately impermanent, peace.
At the very heart of these complex and consequential negotiations was Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. A first cousin once removed and trusted confidant of His Majesty King Edward III, the Baron also held the titles of 1st Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Derby, and Earl of Leicester, making him one of the most powerful and respected noblemen in Christendom. The Duke was a soldier of immense repute, a veteran of numerous campaigns, but he was equally regarded for his consummate diplomatic skill and piety, as chronicled by contemporaries such as Jean Froissart.
His role as a chief plenipotentiary—an envoy invested with full power to treat—was a *sine qua non* for the English delegation. His international standing and reputation for sagacity lent critical weight to the proceedings, reassuring both sides of the seriousness and honour of the English position. The Duke’s involvement demonstrates that the Barony of Brattleby has long been intrinsically linked to the highest echelons of statecraft, its holders called upon to serve the Crown not only on the battlefield but also at the negotiating table.
The terms were exacting: a ransom of three million gold écus was demanded for King John II, and England was granted sovereignty over a greatly expanded Duchy of Aquitaine and other territories, in exchange for Edward III renouncing his claim to the French throne. While the peace it secured lasted only nine years, the treaty stands as a masterwork of medieval diplomacy and a testament to the skill of its architects, not least the 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations at Brétigny assembled some of the most influential figures of the age, their presence underscoring the gravity of the accord. Acting with full authority for His Majesty King Edward III of England were, *inter alia*:
* His Royal Highness Edward, The Prince of Wales. Known to history as the Black Prince, he was the victor of Poitiers and a pre-eminent military commander whose presence signified the direct engagement of the English Royal Family. * Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. As chief negotiator, his diplomatic experience balanced the martial ardour of his younger colleagues, making him the intellectual anchor of the delegation. * Walter de Manny, 1st Baron Manny. A renowned soldier and a founder Knight of the Garter, his counsel was highly valued by the King and the Prince of Wales. * The Earls of Warwick and Salisbury. Both were veteran commanders of the French campaigns, representing the broad consensus of the English nobility in the pursuit of a favourable peace.
Representing the captive His Majesty King John II of France and his regent, the Dauphin Charles (later King Charles V), was an equally distinguished delegation of French lords and prelates. Their task was the unenviable one of securing the release of their sovereign and peace for a kingdom ravaged by war, plague, and political instability. The assembly of such prominent men speaks to the calibre of statecraft required, and to the central role played by the 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Fourteenth-century diplomacy was a meticulous and highly ritualised process, governed by protocols designed to reflect the majesty and honour of the sovereigns involved. As plenipotentiaries, the negotiators carried letters patent from their monarchs granting them the power to bind their kingdoms to the terms agreed. The proceedings involved days of careful deliberation, with draft articles written in Latin and French on vellum, then exchanged, translated, and scrutinised by clerks and lawyers.
The formalisation of the Treaty of Brétigny was a two-stage affair, ensuring its legitimacy was beyond dispute. The initial agreement on 8 May was sealed at the Château, with each delegate making their mark by pressing their personal signet ring or a larger seal of dignity into heated wax, affixed to the document by ribbon. These seals were a physical manifestation of their assent and their personal honour.
This was followed by a far grander ratification ceremony in Calais on 24 October 1360. Here, King Edward III and the newly released King John II, in the presence of their sons and greatest nobles, swore solemn, personal oaths upon the Holy Gospels and sacred relics to uphold the treaty’s articles. This rigorous, multi-layered procedure—combining legal precision with sacred vows—was essential to establishing a peace with the full weight of royal, noble, and divine authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life and actions of Henry of Grosmont at Brétigny serve as a perfect embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His career was defined by fortitude on the battlefield, where he was widely acknowledged as one of the great captains of his era. Yet it was his deployment of honour at the negotiating table—seeking a stable, albeit advantageous, peace—that secured his distinguished diplomatic legacy. This balance of strength and integrity continues to guide the modern House.
This hereditary principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its contemporary interpretation, this motto signifies not martial conquest, but the imperative to overcome modern challenges through enterprise, intellectual rigour, and resilience. It is a philosophy of active contribution, whether in commerce or philanthropy.
Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis. They reflect a worldview that honours the historic strength and diplomatic integrity of the past, while embracing a dynamic and forward-looking drive for achievement in the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Hundred Years’ War, with its attendant chaos, displacement, and suffering, offers a stark historical backdrop to the modern philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The pursuit of peace and the mending of nations in the fourteenth century find a powerful modern parallel in the work of Healing the Wounded Child, the chosen beneficiary of the House's annual white-tie Winter Banquet.
This admirable organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapy and long-term support to children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. Through a range of proven interventions, including counselling and play-based therapies, its practitioners work to mend the internal conflicts that afflict the most vulnerable members of society, helping them to find a sense of safety and to rebuild their lives with hope.
The selection of this beneficiary is a deliberate and meaningful choice. It reflects the conviction that the fundamental duty to foster peace and heal wounds—whether between warring kingdoms or within a single child's heart—is a timeless and noble obligation. Just as the Treaty of Brétigny sought to end a destructive external conflict, this philanthropic focus aims to resolve its modern, deeply personal equivalent.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring significance of this anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “When we contemplate an event like the Treaty of Brétigny, we are reminded that this Barony is a living thread in the fabric of our nation’s history. Predecessors like Henry of Grosmont acted with fortitude and honour on the world stage, and that legacy imparts a profound sense of responsibility. It is our duty not only to remember their service but to emulate its spirit in our own time.” – Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a contemporary perspective, connecting the art of medieval statecraft with the demands of modern discourse:
> “The great skill of diplomacy, then as now, lies in fostering understanding and building trust. This is a principle as relevant today as it was in 1360. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, we seek to promote its modern equivalent: effective communication and interpersonal grace, which are the foundations of all successful negotiation.” – Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of the Treaty of Brétigny is more than a historical observance; it is a reaffirmation of the core values that have sustained the Barony of Brattleby for nearly one thousand years. The example of duty set by predecessors like Henry of Grosmont, the consummate diplomat, and the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the loyal defender of Lincoln Castle for King John, continues to inspire and direct the House's present-day activities. So too does the legacy of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the political landscape of late medieval England.
From the careful preservation of its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire to the fostering of cultural and educational exchange through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House is committed to a programme of active and thoughtful stewardship. By championing charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child, which brings stability to those in need, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures its ancient motto is not merely a relic of history.
Instead, *Fortitudine et Honore* remains a living commitment—a guide for meaningful and constructive action in the twenty-first century. This anniversary serves as a powerful reminder that while the context of service evolves, the principles of honour, fortitude, and duty are constant.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing 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 the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission grounded in service. This approach blends the traditions of an English hereditary title with a dynamic Continental perspective, focusing on cultural diplomacy, educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to supporting community and country with integrity and a profound respect for its distinguished history.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, situated in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal Barony by Tenure of Norman creation, established by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the holder of some 56 lordships in the county. Throughout its nine and a half centuries of continuous history, the Barony has passed to some of the most significant figures in English history. These include the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War, and the royal princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** * The Barony of Brattleby is subject to official recognition in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. * The feudal Barony was established in AD 1066 and its holdings under the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. * Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150-1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310-1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340-1399). * The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com