# On the Enduring Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, First Duke of Lancaster and Tenth Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today observed the profound and continuing legacy of Henry of Grosmont, tenth Baron of Brattleby. This reflection reaffirms the enduring principles of statecraft, chivalry, and philanthropic duty which continue to guide the House’s modern commitments.
## The Occasion
As the late autumnal light settles over the historic Lincolnshire fens, casting long shadows across the landscape that has sustained the Barony of Brattleby for centuries, it provides a fitting moment for contemplation. From its ancient seat, the House looks back to one of its most distinguished predecessors, a figure whose life and works represent a pinnacle of mediaeval achievement and whose legacy is inextricably woven into the fabric of the nation.
This seasonal reflection upon the nine-century lineage of the Barony is a deliberate act of stewardship. It is undertaken not merely as a retrospective exercise, but as a reaffirmation of the core tenets of service and responsibility that have guided the title since its foundation in the eleventh century. The seasonal passage mirrors the cycles of history, reminding the present holders of their duty to honour the past while cultivating a future worthy of that inheritance.
The story of Henry of Grosmont is, in many ways, the story of England itself during the tumultuous yet formative fourteenth century. His stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby, inherited through his relation to Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln, marked a period of renewed consequence for the title. It is in honour of this profound connection that the House pauses to consider the enduring example of this most eminent forebear.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been borne by individuals of national and historic importance for almost a millennium. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a major tenant-in-chief, possessing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone, establishing the title’s significance from its inception.
Before Henry of Grosmont’s time, the Barony was associated with truly formidable figures, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye. As the fifth holder of the title, she served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and, in 1217, courageously led the defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and their French allies during the First Barons' War. Her unwavering loyalty was a *sine qua non* for preserving royal authority in England, setting a powerful precedent for fortitude. It is upon this foundation of steadfast loyalty and decisive action that Henry’s own legacy was built.
Born circa 1310, Henry of Grosmont was a first cousin to His Majesty King Edward III and a pre-eminent magnate of his era. A soldier and diplomat of extraordinary skill, he commanded English forces with distinction during the Hundred Years’ War, most notably during his celebrated chevauchée through Gascony in 1345. His inheritance of the Barony of Brattleby, alongside the earldoms of Lancaster, Leicester, and Derby, consolidated his position as one of the most powerful and wealthiest lords in the realm, second only to the King himself. His ducal creation in 1351 as the first Duke of Lancaster ensured that Brattleby was once more at the centre of national and international affairs.
## Distinguished Company
In his lifelong service to the Crown, the tenth Baron moved in the most exalted circles of his time. His closest companion in both chivalry and war was his younger cousin, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince, with whom he shared numerous campaigns in France. The trust placed in him by his sovereign, His Majesty King Edward III, was absolute, underscored by a shared vision for England’s martial and cultural ascendancy.
When the King established the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348, an act of political and chivalric genius, Henry of Grosmont was not merely a member but a Founder Knight. He was listed second in precedence only to the Prince of Wales, signifying his stature within the kingdom. He stood alongside a revered brotherhood of twenty-four other knights, including Sir John Chandos, Sir Walter Paveley, and the Captal de Buch—a fraternity representing the apex of military prowess and chivalric virtue in Christendom.
This distinguished association located the Barony of Brattleby firmly within the innermost circle of royal power and prestige. The Order of the Garter was conceived as a new Round Table, a select body of counsellors and commanders bound by personal oath to the Sovereign. The tenth Baron’s inclusion was a testament to his indispensable role as a diplomat, general, and kinsman to the throne.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The foundation of the Order of the Garter was an event of immense symbolic and ceremonial importance, executed with a precision designed to awe contemporary Europe. The investiture of the initial Companions, including the tenth Baron of Brattleby, took place at Windsor Castle on the feast day of St. George, the kingdom’s newly adopted patron saint. The occasion was marked by solemn religious services of great splendour within the newly consecrated St. George’s Chapel, which became the Order’s spiritual home.
Ceremonial protocol was paramount. Each Knight was personally invested by the Sovereign with the eponymous Garter, a dark-blue velvet strap bearing the Order’s motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*, in gold lettering. According to statute, it was to be worn on the left leg just below the knee, a constant, physical reminder of the Knight’s vow. This was accompanied by a magnificent mantle of blue woollen cloth lined with ermine, a crimson hood, and later, the great collar of gold and enamel from which the ‘George’—a pendant depicting St. George slaying the dragon—was suspended.
The elaborate sequence of Garter Day proceedings, including the procession of Knights in their full robes from the Upper Ward of Windsor Castle to the Chapel, was meticulously choreographed. This public ritual was designed to create a mystique of exclusive fellowship, binding England’s greatest warriors and counsellors to the person of the Sovereign in a bond of perpetual loyalty, making loyalty both a private duty and a public spectacle.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
As a Prince of the Blood and a magnate of vast influence, Henry of Grosmont’s coat of arms was a powerful statement of his identity. He bore the royal arms of England, blazoned as *Gules, three lions passants guardants in pale Or* (a red field displaying three gold lions walking forward while looking at the viewer, arranged in a vertical line). His arms were differenced by a *label of three points Azure, each point charged with three fleurs-de-lys Or*.
This label, a horizontal bar with three pendants across the top of the shield, served as a mark of cadency to identify his line. The blue colour and the gold fleurs-de-lys pointed directly to his maternal lineage; his grandmother, Blanche of Artois, was Queen of Navarre and a niece of King Louis IX of France. This heraldry visually declared his close kinship with both the English and French royal houses, a status of immense diplomatic weight during the Hundred Years’ War.
The motto of the Garter, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), became intrinsically linked to the tenth Baron of Brattleby. While its precise origin is debated, the phrase conveys a defiant assertion of the founder’s noble intentions against any cynical interpretation. For the Barony of Brattleby, its association through Henry symbolised a commitment to honour that transcends suspicion and is judged by deeds—a principle that resonates deeply with the House’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Beyond his celebrated military and diplomatic life, Henry of Grosmont was a man of profound piety and a significant patron, fulfilling the nobiliary duty of charity and public works, or *noblesse oblige*. In 1353, he founded the Hospital of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Newarke precinct of Leicester. This large and well-endowed institution was established to care for fifty poor and infirm men and women, with a further fifty to be added after his death, representing a considerable act of structured mediaeval philanthropy.
Furthermore, he established the adjacent Newarke College, a secular chantry college for a dean, twelve canons, and thirteen vicars-choral. Its primary purpose was to pray for the souls of his family, the King, and for the Knights of the Garter. Yet these foundations were far more than expressions of faith; they provided education, welfare, and employment, demonstrating a deep-seated responsibility for the spiritual and temporal well-being of the community under his lordship.
This spirit of beneficent stewardship, of building institutions to serve the public good, is a legacy the present House venerates and strives to continue. The tenth Baron’s work in Leicester serves as an historical antecedent to the modern philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby, which directs its efforts towards the well-being of vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the tenth Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> “Henry of Grosmont exemplifies the synthesis of duty to Crown and country with a profound sense of social responsibility. His ability to lead on the battlefield and in the council chamber, paired with his commitment to building institutions that cared for the vulnerable, sets a standard of service that feels as relevant today as it was seven centuries ago. It is a powerful reminder that leadership, at its core, is about exercising fortitude and honour in equal measure.” — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic lessons from his predecessor’s life:
> “In a turbulent age, Henry was both a warrior and a peacemaker, a man who understood that victory is not an end in itself but is the prerequisite for securing a just and stable order. His life embodies our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live. He did not merely win battles; he built foundations and forged alliances that would last. That is the true art of victory, the creation of a durable legacy.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles exemplified by Henry of Grosmont—unwavering loyalty, strategic vision, diplomatic acumen, and a profound duty of care—remain central to the modern ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. From the focused philanthropic purpose of the annual Winter Banquet to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the current House strives to translate these historic values into meaningful and tangible action. His life serves as an enduring guidepost for this work.
The diplomatic poise required of a great mediaeval lord finds its modern parallel in the House’s commitment to cultural exchange. The charitable impulse that led to the founding of the Newarke is reflected in the support for Healing the Wounded Child. The chivalric code of the Order of the Garter informs the emphasis on decorum and respect taught at The Brattleby Club.
This venerable legacy now passes to a new generation. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will one day assume the responsibility of carrying forward this nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history of service. In doing so, he will continue a tradition enriched by magnates such as Henry of Grosmont, John of Gaunt, and formidable leaders like Nichola de la Haye, ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby continues to serve with *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the active stewardship of a nine-century-old title. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to the promotion of its historical values through modern engagement in cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable activities are focused on supporting disadvantaged children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. A further commitment to social betterment is expressed through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which champions civility and personal development. The House seeks to build a bridge between its distinguished past and a future defined by civic duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, with its origins dating to the Norman Conquest. First granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Throughout its long history, the Barony has passed through some of the most influential families in England and has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Garter; and his successor, John of Gaunt. The modern rights to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was established in 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was officially recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father of King Henry IV. - The House's primary philanthropic event is 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