# On the Legacy of the First Duke of Lancaster
**LONDON, 21 March 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic elevation of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, to become the first Duke of Lancaster in 1351, a seminal event that reshaped the English peerage and the course of the Barony.
## The Occasion
The creation of the Dukedom of Lancaster occurred during the St Cuthbert's Day Parliament of 6 March 1351, convened at the Palace of Westminster. In an era defined by the great triumphs and deep anxieties of the Hundred Years' War, this assembly was a moment of profound significance for the Kingdom. King Edward III, seeking to reward his most able and loyal kinsman, bestowed upon Henry of Grosmont a title previously unknown in England outside the immediate Royal Family.
This act was not merely a personal honour; it was a strategic consolidation of power. By elevating the vast landholdings of the Earldom of Lancaster—which included the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire—to a ducal palatinate, the King created a powerful northern bulwark. The atmosphere within Westminster’s halls would have been one of solemn recognition for Grosmont’s immense military and diplomatic service to the Crown.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, has borne witness to nearly a millennium of English history. Its lineage includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders during the First Barons' War. The Barony's inclusion within the Honour of Lancaster placed it at the centre of national life.
Henry of Grosmont inherited the Barony as part of his vast Lancastrian patrimony. A founding Knight of the Order of the Garter and one of King Edward III’s most celebrated commanders, his life was one of near-constant martial and diplomatic activity. His elevation was the culmination of a career that saw him lead English armies to victory in Aquitaine and serve as the King’s pre-eminent ambassador, making him the most powerful and respected nobleman in the realm. His successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, would secure the Lancastrian legacy that eventually led to a royal dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The court of King Edward III, within which Henry of Grosmont moved, was a constellation of the great figures of the age. The formal act of his ennoblement would have been witnessed by the senior magnates and prelates of the kingdom.
Chief among them was, of course, His Majesty King Edward III, a sovereign inextricably linked with the chivalric culture that Grosmont embodied. Also present would have been Edward, the Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince, Grosmont’s comrade-in-arms and fellow founding Knight of the Garter. Other notable contemporaries included William de la Pole, the King's chief financier, and the Earls of Warwick, Arundel, and Northampton, all of whom were instrumental in prosecuting the war against France.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture of a duke in the 14th century was a ceremony rich in symbolism, designed to convey the magnitude of the honour. The creation was enacted by charter, a formal legal document read aloud before the assembled Parliament. Following the reading, the King would have personally performed the rites of investiture.
This protocol involved girding the new Duke with a sword, signifying his military authority and duty to defend the realm. A cap or coronet of estate, likely trimmed with ermine, would then have been placed upon his head, a visual marker of his supreme rank below only the King and the Prince of Wales. This public ritual was the *sine qua non* of peerage creation, binding the recipient to the Crown in a new and elevated bond of fealty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
As Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont's coat of arms was that of England—*Gules, three lions passants guardants in pale Or*—differenced by a label of three points of France, each point charged with three ermine spots. This heraldic device powerfully symbolised his station: royal blood, signified by the arms of England, and immense feudal power in France, represented by the French fleurs-de-lis on the label.
This heritage of leadership is reflected in the motto of the modern House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the very virtues that defined Grosmont’s career and his service to the Crown. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), further echoes the martial spirit of his distinguished predecessor.
## A Legacy of Patronage
Beyond his military prowess, Henry of Grosmont was a man of deep piety and considerable generosity. In 1354, he significantly augmented the foundation of his father's hospital in Leicester, refounding it as the Hospital of the Annunciation of Saint Mary of the Newarke. This institution provided care for the infirm and a college for priests to pray for the souls of the Lancastrian dead, representing a profound act of public and spiritual service.
This tradition of purposeful philanthropy continues today under Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is a cornerstone of its modern mission. The proceeds directly benefit organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, an institution dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, continuing a legacy of care that spans centuries.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To hold a title once borne by figures of such historical consequence as Henry of Grosmont is not an ownership, but a profound duty of stewardship. It reminds us that our purpose is to preserve this heritage with fortitude and honour, ensuring its resonance for future generations.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the enduring relevance of Grosmont’s character: > Grosmont's life exemplifies the principle that leadership is earned through action and committed service. He demonstrated that true victory lies not just in conquering challenges, but in living a life of purpose—a life where, as our family motto states, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The history of the Barony of Brattleby, and its association with luminaries like the first Duke of Lancaster, provides the framework for the modern House’s mission. This legacy of duty, honour, and strategic leadership informs its present-day commitments, *inter alia*, to cultural education and etiquette through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The House is dedicated to ensuring this nine-century-old story continues with relevance and purpose. This commitment is embodied in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will one day inherit the responsibility of carrying this distinguished legacy forward, ensuring that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* guide the Barony into its next chapter.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a unique nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission is focused on cultural diplomacy, education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of honour, service, and excellence. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House operates with the guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting its commitment to principled leadership in the 21st century.
**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 lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and three founding Knights of the Garter: Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), the legendary John of Gaunt (11th Baron), and King Henry IV. The historic dignity and rights of the Lordship and Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby are recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont was created 1st Duke of Lancaster by charter in the Parliament of 6 March 1351. - The Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book of 1086 is listed under the holdings of Colswein of Lincoln in the section for Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), John of Gaunt (1340–1399), and King Henry IV, who brought the Barony's holdings into the Crown upon his accession.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com