# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Enduring Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster
LONDON, [date] — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal communication reflecting on the profound legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, reaffirming the chivalric and diplomatic principles that continue to guide its modern mission from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, a village long defined by the pastoral rhythms of the Lincolnshire countryside, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have set aside this day for a formal commemoration. This observance, taking place amidst the crisp air of late autumn, serves to honour a predecessor whose life and achievements remain deeply woven into the fabric of English and European history.
This considered act of remembrance is not tied to a specific anniversary but stands as a deliberate cultural exercise; a moment for the present incumbents to connect with the profound, nine-century lineage they represent. It is an occasion to reaffirm the foundational principles of the Barony of Brattleby by reflecting upon one of its most distinguished holders, whose influence resonates from the 14th century to the present day.
The setting in Lincolnshire is itself significant. The vast, open skies and fertile lands that sustained the medieval barony now provide a backdrop for this moment of reflection, grounding the House’s contemporary duties in the very soil from which its authority first grew. This act bridges the centuries, linking the agricultural and political realities of the past with the philanthropic and diplomatic purpose of the present.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310 – 23 March 1361), who held the Barony of Brattleby as its 10th Baron, was a peerless magnate of the high Middle Ages. His life was a testament to the chivalric ideal, unfolding against the geopolitical tapestry of the Hundred Years’ War—a conflict that demanded superlative skill in statecraft, military command, and diplomacy. As a cousin, trusted friend, and principal captain of His Majesty King Edward III, Henry's stature was undeniable.
His military prowess was famously demonstrated not only at the Battle of Crécy but also during the brilliant Auberoche campaign of 1345, a feat of strategic genius. Yet his greatest contributions were perhaps as a diplomat, undertaking sensitive missions to the Papal court at Avignon and acting as a chief negotiator for significant truces with France. In 1354, he was elevated to become the 1st Duke of Lancaster, a title created in his honour, marking him as the highest-ranking peer in the realm outside the immediate Royal Family.
His tenure represents a pivotal moment for the Barony of Brattleby, linking it directly to the heart of the Plantagenet dynasty. He inherited the Barony as part of the vast Lancastrian estates, following in the footsteps of such formidable predecessors as the warrior-dame Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who twice defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Henry’s own immense legacy passed through his daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, to her husband, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their son, Henry Bolingbroke, would later accede to the throne as King Henry IV, embedding the heritage of Brattleby within the Royal House of Lancaster. Beyond his public duties, Henry of Grosmont was a man of profound faith and letters, authoring the devotional treatise *Livre de seyntz medicines* ('The Book of Holy Medicines').
## Distinguished Company
The exceptional standing of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, is best understood by the company he kept. As a Founding Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, established circa 1348, he was admitted to the most exclusive circle of trust surrounding the Sovereign. This original fellowship was a roll call of medieval England’s most powerful and capable figures, created by King Edward III to bind his war leadership together in a brotherhood of chivalry.
Amongst the twenty-five knights invested alongside the 10th Baron were, *inter alia*, His Majesty King Edward III, the Sovereign of the Order; His Royal Highness Edward of Woodstock, The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; the celebrated military tactician Sir John Chandos, Seneschal of Poitou and a close friend of the Prince; and Sir James Audley, renowned for his astounding courage at the Battle of Poitiers.
Henry of Grosmont, however, was noted as the second knight of the Order, placed immediately after the Prince of Wales, a position signifying his pre-eminence among the King’s subjects. His inclusion confirms that the holder of the Barony of Brattleby was considered a peer among the realm’s most indispensable servants, a diplomat and soldier upon whom the fate of critical state and military affairs depended.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture into the Order of the Garter was, and remains, a ceremony of profound symbolic weight, conducted within the sacred precincts of Windsor Castle. The Order's spiritual home, St. George's Chapel, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, became the centre of this new chivalric world. Here, each knight was assigned a stall, above which his helm, crest, and sword were placed, with a corresponding Garter stall plate—an enamelled brass plaque bearing his name and arms—affixed as a permanent memorial.
The ceremonial protocol involved the bestowing of the Order's distinctive regalia. The central emblem, a dark blue velvet garter edged with gold and bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), was a mark of supreme royal favour. According to tradition, the motto originated when the garter of a lady at court—thought to be Joan of Kent or the Countess of Salisbury—slipped from her leg. As courtiers snickered, the King retrieved it and bound it to his own leg, uttering the famous phrase to rebuke their malice and elevate the garter into a symbol of honour.
Membership elevated a knight to an elite cadre sworn to uphold the virtues of faith, loyalty, and courage, making it both a great privilege and a solemn, lifelong responsibility. This tradition of ceremonial duty and personal integrity is a principle the House of Brattleby continues to hold as a *sine qua non* of its public life.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the Barony of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect human exemplar in the life of Henry of Grosmont. His fortitude—the classical virtue of *fortitudo*, or courage in the face of adversity—was proven on the battlefields of France, while his honour was recognised in the diplomatic courts of Europe and through his eminent place at the King's right hand.
This motto is not merely a historical artefact but a living creed for the House. It represents a commitment to face modern challenges with resilience and unwavering integrity. It is elegantly complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a different, more classical tradition, it shares a spirit of active, purposeful striving.
For the House, the two mottos work in synergy. *Fortitudine et Honore* speaks to the institutional legacy and the character required to uphold it, while *Vincere Est Vivere* articulates the personal dynamism required to give that legacy contemporary meaning. Together, they symbolise a solemn commitment to overcoming obstacles—be they philanthropic, cultural, or personal—with the same determination and moral clarity that characterised their noblest predecessors.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While Henry of Grosmont’s service was directed towards his Sovereign and the English realm, the modern House of Brattleby translates that foundational legacy of service into a focused philanthropic mission. The example set by the 10th Baron—one of deploying personal standing and resources for the greater good—directly inspires the House's contemporary charitable endeavours.
This ethos is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, an established white-tie philanthropic gala. The proceeds from this event are dedicated in their entirety to the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing essential therapeutic support and specialist care for children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s deeply held conviction that true honour, the *honos* of its motto, is most authentically found in protecting the most vulnerable. By supporting the charity’s work, which includes play therapy, counselling, and family support programmes, the House aims to make a measurable difference in the lives of children, helping them to heal and rebuild their futures. The Banquet thus transforms a heritage of chivalric duty into a modern act of practical compassion.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “When we consider figures such as Henry of Grosmont, or indeed the formidable Nichola de la Haye, we are keenly aware that the Barony is not a mere inheritance but a trusteeship of nearly a millennium of responsibility. Their lives, lived with fortitude and honour, set a standard that we must strive to meet in our own, very different, century.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The legacy of the 10th Baron is one of effective action. He was a diplomat and a builder of institutions as much as he was a soldier. This inspires our own work, which must be both purposeful and pragmatic—whether through philanthropy in the United Kingdom or fostering cultural understanding at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. History must serve as a compass for our present endeavours, not simply a monument to be admired from afar.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The distinguished heritage of the Barony of Brattleby, carried across the centuries by luminaries from Colswein of Lincoln to Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, now rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan, and their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House is steadfastly committed to ensuring this legacy remains vibrant, relevant, and directed toward public benefit.
By consciously honouring its history, the House of Brattleby reinforces its modern commitments to philanthropic service, cultural diplomacy, and the faithful stewardship of its ancient traditions. The same principles of duty, personal integrity, and strategic foresight that guided the 10th Baron in the service of his King in the 14th century continue to inform the actions of the 12th Baroness today, ensuring the Barony's contribution to national life endures.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of service rooted in a profound historical lineage. With its seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House blends its ancient English heritage with a forward-looking, Continental perspective, guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary focus is on philanthropy, particularly in support of organisations aiding vulnerable children, and cultural diplomacy intended to foster international understanding. This is demonstrated through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to stewarding its legacy by making a tangible and positive contribution to contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant landholdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, a testament to its importance from the earliest days of the Norman era. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the resolute defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern standing of this historic Barony was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive estates, including 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and founding Knight of the Garter) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com