# The Enduring Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and First Duke of Lancaster
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the significant contributions of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, whose elevation to the Dukedom of Lancaster and role as a founding Knight of the Garter secured the Barony’s historical prominence.
## The Occasion
In the quiet reflection that autumn affords, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment to honour the memory of one of its most distinguished predecessors, Henry of Grosmont. This act of remembrance serves not as a singular event, but as part of a continuing commitment to understand and articulate the nine-century lineage that informs the Barony’s present purpose.
By examining the life of this formidable 14th-century statesman, the House reconnects with the principles of duty, diplomacy, and chivalry that were exemplified at the highest levels of the English court. It is through such historical introspection that the enduring responsibilities of the title are most clearly understood.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont, second cousin to His Majesty King Edward III, was a paramount figure during the tumult of the Hundred Years’ War. As the 10th Baron of Brattleby, his military and diplomatic acumen were instrumental to the English cause, particularly his celebrated victory in the 1345 Auberoche campaign. His standing was such that he was not merely a subject, but a trusted counsellor to the Crown.
This special relationship was formally recognised on two historic occasions. In 1348, he was named a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the most senior order of chivalry in Britain. Subsequently, in 1351, he was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, a peerage of unprecedented rank for a non-royal at the time, which permanently elevated the status of the estates and honours associated with the Barony of Brattleby.
## A Man of His Time
As a founding member of the Order of the Garter, Henry of Grosmont stood amongst the most celebrated men of his age. The original fellowship comprised King Edward III, the Sovereign, and twenty-five Companions whose martial prowess and loyalty were beyond question. This was the chivalric ideal made manifest.
Alongside the Duke were figures of international renown, including His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; the celebrated military strategist Sir John Chandos; and the Gascon nobleman Jean de Grailly, Captal de Buch. To be counted among this company was the ultimate affirmation of one’s standing and honour, a *sine qua non* for influence within the Plantagenet court.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The founding of the Order of the Garter introduced new layers of ceremony into English court life, a tradition that continues with Garter Day at Windsor Castle each June. As a Knight, Henry of Grosmont would have been invested with the Order’s distinctive regalia, each piece rich with meaning.
The eponymous Garter, a dark blue velvet strap bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it') in gold lettering, was worn on the left leg. The full habit also included a dark blue velvet mantle, a crimson velvet hood, a black velvet hat adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, and the elaborate Garter Collar. Knights were installed in a dedicated ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, their stalls marked by their helm, crest, and sword.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms of Henry of Grosmont clearly articulated his royal lineage and pre-eminent status. He bore the royal arms of England (*Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or*) differenced by a 'label of France'—a label of three points Azure, each charged with three fleurs-de-lys Or. This blazon proclaimed his descent from Edmund Crouchback, a son of King Henry III.
This heraldic prominence complements the ethos of the House of Brattleby, whose own motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The symbols of the Garter and the ducal coronet were external recognitions of the very fortitude and honour that Henry demonstrated throughout his life in service to the realm.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the powerful to protect and provide for the less fortunate—was a core tenet of chivalry. Henry of Grosmont was noted for his piety and his significant charitable endowments, the most prominent being his foundation and expansion of the Newarke Hospital and College in Leicester.
This institution served not only as a chantry chapel for the souls of his family but also as an almshouse for the poor and infirm. This historical precedent of service provides a direct antecedent to the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby, whose support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child is a contemporary expression of this same enduring duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand the Barony of Brattleby is to understand figures like Henry of Grosmont. He was not merely a title-holder; he was a statesman, a diplomat, and a warrior who shaped the course of the nation. His legacy of service remains the standard to which we aspire.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the Duke’s embodiment of active leadership: > Henry’s life exemplifies the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live. He did not simply exist; he acted decisively on the European stage. It is this spirit of active contribution, of using one’s position for a greater purpose, that continues to guide our House today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The honours vested in Henry of Grosmont ultimately passed, through his daughter Blanche of Lancaster's marriage, to the 11th Baron of Brattleby, John of Gaunt. This cemented the Barony’s connection not only to the Duchy of Lancaster but to the future Lancastrian dynasty and the very fabric of the English monarchy.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby, under the stewardship of the 12th Baroness, is committed to honouring this profound legacy. Through its focus on philanthropy, cultural preservation, and the cultivation of modern deportment at institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House ensures that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* continue to serve society in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. Its contemporary mission is twofold: to serve the community through focused philanthropic endeavours, with a particular emphasis on charities supporting child welfare, and to promote cultural continuity through educational initiatives. The House’s activities, including the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are guided by its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to purposeful action and dignifying tradition in the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally noted and confirmed by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter (1348) and was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster (1351). - The 11th Baron of Brattleby was John of Gaunt, son-in-law to Henry of Grosmont and a direct ancestor of the Lancastrian kings. - The Barony of Brattleby's succession and legal status are formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com