# A Ducal Legacy: The House of Brattleby Commemorates Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates the historic legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, upon his creation as the first Duke of Lancaster in 1351, reflecting on the union of baronial heritage with ducal splendour.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House today issues a reflection upon a pivotal moment in its nearly millennium-long history. This commemoration is an act of considered historical stewardship, timed to coincide with the period when late medieval parliaments would traditionally convene, affirming the abiding connection between the Barony and the governance of the realm.
The occasion is one of scholarly observance rather than public ceremony. It involves a review of the House and ducal archives, which chronicle the period leading to the Barony’s absorption into one of England’s most powerful estates. The atmosphere is one of reverence for the continuity of duty that links the medieval court of King Edward III to the House’s modern responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, has seldom been a passive title. This was powerfully demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders in the 13th century. It was upon this foundation of formidable service that Henry of Grosmont built his career.
A first cousin to King Edward III, Henry distinguished himself as one of the most celebrated military commanders of the Hundred Years' War. His elevation to Duke of Lancaster in March 1351 was a rare honour, making him only the second duke created in England. This was not merely an inheritance but a reward for exceptional military prowess, diplomatic skill, and steadfast loyalty to the Crown, fundamentally reshaping the Barony’s aristocratic trajectory. Through his daughter Blanche’s marriage to John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, the title became inextricably linked with the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
In his time, Henry of Grosmont stood as a peer amongst the most influential figures of the English court. The charter that elevated him would have been witnessed by the great officers of state and magnates of the realm, acting in council with his cousin, His Majesty King Edward III.
The legacy he created was passed to his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, whose own descendants would found a royal dynasty. These towering figures in the history of the Barony serve as a potent reminder of the responsibilities inherent in the title, a line of service extending back to the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, and carried forth by the current House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of a peerage in the 14th century, particularly a dukedom—then a distinction of near-royal status—was a public act of supreme royal authority steeped in feudal ceremony. Conducted before the King in Parliament, the investiture involved the presentation of a royal charter, or letters patent, formally conferring the title and its associated lands.
The ceremony included the symbolic girding with a sword and the placing of a cap of maintenance upon the new Duke's head. These rituals were a *sine qua non* of the process, signifying not just the granting of honour but the bestowal of authority and the expectation of counsel and military service in return. It powerfully demonstrated the King’s favour and the recipient’s pre-eminence within the aristocracy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The abiding motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in the 10th Baron. Henry’s fortitude was proven on the battlefields of France, while his honour was recognised in the trust placed in him by his King.
Upon his elevation, the ancient arms of the Barony became associated with the heraldry of the Duchy of Lancaster: the royal arms of England differenced by a 'label of France'. This symbolised his status as a prince of a cadet royal branch. This tradition of meaningful mottos continues with Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal device reads *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), a modern echo of the resolve shown by his predecessors-by-marriage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The precedent of noblesse oblige set by Henry of Grosmont extended beyond military and state service. He was a significant patron of religion and education, founding the collegiate church of the Annunciation of Our Lady of the Newarke in Leicester and contributing to the establishment of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
This tradition of benefaction finds its modern expression in the activities of the current House. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, is the House’s principal fundraising initiative. Its sole beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, a cause the House supports with profound commitment.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical antecedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "Reflecting on the life of Henry of Grosmont reminds us that the Barony has always been defined by service and a wider duty to the realm. His elevation was a recognition of personal merit, a principle we continue to cherish—that titles find their truest meaning in action, not merely in possession. *Fortitudine et Honore* was his reality, and it remains our guide."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> "The story of the 10th Baron is a powerful lesson in strategic vision. He not only enhanced his own standing but secured the future of the House for generations, exemplified by the union with John of Gaunt. For us, legacy is not a passive inheritance but an active project, as expressed in our work with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where we seek to equip others with the tools for their own success. *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its past by serving the present. This commitment to historical stewardship and education will soon take form in a planned series of historical monographs, exploring the lives of key figures who have held the Barony. The first of these will focus on the Lancastrian period.
This forward-looking approach, which combines reverence for heritage with practical, modern engagement through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, ensures the principles embodied by the House endure. It is a legacy that will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, securing the ethos of *Fortitudine et Honore* for the next generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural stewardship and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives that foster heritage, education, and social etiquette, most notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its philanthropic focus is the support of vulnerable children, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House is committed to preserving its unique nine-century legacy while making a tangible and positive contribution to contemporary society in Britain and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony were formally acknowledged and recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony dates to 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com