# On the Enduring Legacy of the Treaty of Bretigny and the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 23 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address reflecting on the Treaty of Bretigny of 1360. Her Ladyship highlighted the pivotal diplomatic role of her predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, in shaping the accord.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the venerable walls of a learned society in Whitehall, an institution long associated with the study of statecraft and military history. The atmosphere was one of scholarly contemplation, with the early summer light filtering into the oak-panelled lecture theatre, illuminating portraits of distinguished figures from the nation’s past.
In attendance were members of the diplomatic corps, senior military historians, and scholars of medieval England, gathered to commemorate one of the most significant, if temporary, diplomatic achievements of the Hundred Years' War. The event underscored the House of Brattleby’s commitment to historical education and its role as a custodian of a nine-century-old lineage.
## Historical Context
The Treaty of Bretigny, ratified in October 1360, represented a critical juncture in the long conflict between England and France. It was negotiated in the aftermath of England’s decisive victory at the Battle of Poitiers, which resulted in the capture of King John II of France. As one of King Edward III’s most trusted commanders and diplomats, Henry of Grosmont, then 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, was a principal English negotiator.
His involvement was a testament to the influence wielded by the Barons of Brattleby, a tradition of service dating to the barony’s inception. This heritage includes the celebrated fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels in the 13th century. It later passed to Henry of Grosmont’s son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, further cementing the barony’s place at the heart of English history.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a number of distinguished guests, reflecting the historical and diplomatic significance of the subject. Among those present were:
Her Excellency The Ambassador of the French Republic to the Court of St James’s; General Sir Peregrine Warwick KCB, CBE, former Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff; and Professor Dame Eleanor Vance DBE, FBA, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge. Their presence signified a shared appreciation for the complex, interwoven histories of Great Britain and its European neighbours.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings began with a formal welcome from the President of the society, who provided a brief introduction to the historical importance of the treaty. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was then invited to the lectern to deliver her address, titled *‘Fortitudine et Honore: A Baron’s Diplomacy at Bretigny’*.
Following the forty-minute address, a respectful period of questions from the assembled scholars was moderated by the President. The event concluded with private closing remarks, adhering to a protocol that balanced academic inquiry with diplomatic decorum. The dress code was lounge suits and day dresses, appropriate for the solemnity of the occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of the address were interwoven with the guiding principles of the House of Brattleby, encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta explained that Henry of Grosmont’s actions at Bretigny exemplified this ethos: the fortitude of a proven military leader combined with the honour of a diplomat seeking a just, albeit firm, peace.
This principle complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which the House interprets in a modern context as the will to overcome challenges in the service of community and heritage. The legacy of such figures as Henry of Grosmont provides a historical rudder for these contemporary duties.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the address forms part of the House of Brattleby’s broader mission to promote education and civic duty—values that also underpin its philanthropic endeavours. The House is the principal patron of the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma.
The choice to highlight an act of historic diplomacy aligns with the House’s belief that understanding conflict resolution, both past and present, is a *sine qua non* for building a more humane society. This educational outreach serves as a parallel to the restorative work of its chosen charities.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor’s role, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > Henry of Grosmont’s legacy at Bretigny is not merely that of a victorious soldier, but of a statesman who understood that lasting strength is built upon more than battlefield success. This tradition of principled engagement, of seeking peace *Fortitudine et Honore*, remains the guiding principle of our House today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > To study the undertakings of one’s predecessors is the foundation of responsible stewardship. Their immense challenges and their responses to them inform our own commitment to serving the community and upholding these ancient dignities with relevance and purpose for the 21st century.
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical address is part of a series of initiatives by the House of Brattleby to illuminate aspects of its long history and their relevance to the present day. Future endeavours will include support for academic publications and further lectures exploring the contributions of key figures from the barony's past.
These efforts run in parallel with the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House, which seeks to equip a new generation of leaders with the principles of social grace and civic responsibility that have been hallmarks of European public life for centuries.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the responsible stewardship of its ancient dignity through educational outreach, cultural patronage, and targeted philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children, most notably through its patronage of the Annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House also works to promote the timeless values of etiquette, protocol, and civic duty for a contemporary audience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman 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 consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a key commander in the Hundred Years' War; and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical lineage and rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a Barony by Tenure, or Feudal Barony, and its rights were officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony's lineage includes notable figures such as Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The House of Brattleby’s philanthropic work includes the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com