# A Formal Commemoration of Henry of Grosmont, First Duke of Lancaster and Tenth Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today conducts a formal commemorative observance of its distinguished predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. This appreciation reflects upon his life as a soldier, diplomat, and paragon of chivalry in fourteenth-century England.
## The Occasion
As the crisp autumn air settles over the ancient fields of Lincolnshire, a season that invites reflection and remembrance, The Noble House of Brattleby turns its attention to the annals of its own history. This formal appreciation seeks to illuminate the life and legacy of one of its most eminent forebears, a figure whose character and accomplishments resonate across nine centuries of continuous lineage.
This commemoration is not marked by a single public event, but is rather a solemn and scholarly observance undertaken by the House. It is an occasion of institutional memory, reaffirming the enduring principles that have guided the Barony since its establishment by William the Conqueror. In the life of Duke Henry, these principles found their most potent and celebrated exemplar.
The observance serves as a moment of quiet contemplation at the Barony’s seat in Brattleby, connecting the present stewardship with the deep foundations of its past. It is an act of historical duty, ensuring that the great chain of responsibility, stretching back to the Domesday Book, remains unbroken and understood.
## Historical Context
Born circa 1310, Henry of Grosmont came of age in a realm defined by the nascent Hundred Years’ War and the intricate loyalties of the English nobility. As a cousin and trusted commander of King Edward III, he was a central figure at the Plantagenet court; indeed, he was a *sine qua non* of English military and diplomatic strategy during a pivotal era. His inheritance of the vast Lancastrian estates, which included the Earldom of Lincoln and thus the Barony of Brattleby, placed him at the very apex of the English aristocracy.
His tenure as the 10th Baron unfolded during a period of immense national ambition and peril. He distinguished himself as one of the most capable military captains of his generation, leading celebrated campaigns in Gascony and Flanders. His tactical brilliance at the Battle of Auberoche in 1345, for instance, became legendary throughout Christendom. Simultaneously, his diplomatic prowess proved instrumental in negotiations with the French Crown, contributing significantly to the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360.
Beyond his martial and political life, the Duke was a man of noted piety and learning. He was the author of the devotional text *Livre de Seyntz Medicines* ('Book of Holy Doctors'), an allegorical treatise on sin and redemption that reveals a complex inner life. His death from the plague in 1361 was a great loss to the kingdom, but his life remains a masterclass in the balance of martial strength, statecraft, and spiritual devotion that continues to inform the ethos of the House.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is carried forward by an unbroken line of notable personages, each of whom has contributed to its rich and complex history. In commemorating Duke Henry, the House today recalls with reverence the long story of its stewardship, which began with the first Baron, **Colswein of Lincoln**. Recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, he was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, laying the foundations of the Barony’s enduring connection to the land and the Crown.
This heritage was courageously defended by figures such as the fifth Baroness, **Nichola de la Haye**. A formidable castellan, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, a testament to the strength and leadership inherent in the lineage. Her example highlights a tradition where duty transcends gender, focusing solely on loyalty and fortitude.
Centuries later, the Barony passed to **Henry of Grosmont**, the tenth Baron and first Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter and a paragon of European chivalry. Through the marriage of his daughter, Blanche, the dignity passed to his son-in-law, **John of Gaunt**, eleventh Baron, whose own son would become King Henry IV. This union cemented the Barony’s direct connection to the English throne. Today, that nine-century tradition of service is embodied by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who continues this long line of stewardship with a modern focus on cultural and philanthropic duty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The age in which Henry of Grosmont lived was governed by intricate and deeply meaningful codes of conduct. As a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348, he would have sworn an oath before his sovereign and fellow knights to uphold the virtues of faith, loyalty, courage, and honour. Its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), signified a commitment to noble intentions in all public and private acts.
This protocol was not merely ceremonial; it was a binding public covenant that governed a knight’s actions in battle, at court, and in the administration of his domains. The chivalric ideal, a cornerstone of medieval courtly life, demanded that power be tempered by justice and responsibility. This principle was reflected in the governance of the vast Lancastrian estates, including Brattleby, where the Baron’s authority was exercised through a structured system of reeves, manorial courts, and sworn allegiances.
This medieval protocol of sworn duty and structured governance finds a direct modern echo in the House of Brattleby’s commitment to transparency, formal procedure, and the diligent execution of its custodial responsibilities. The ancient system of checks and balances, designed to ensure just lordship, has evolved into the contemporary principles of ethical governance and public accountability that guide the House today.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), perfectly encapsulates the essence of Henry of Grosmont's public life. This guiding principle is not merely a historical artefact but a living creed. ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the resilience he demonstrated on the battlefields of France and in the face of political intrigue, while ‘Honour’ represents the integrity that earned him the trust of his sovereign and his esteemed status as a founder of the Order of the Garter.
This venerable motto is complemented by that of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While one maxim speaks to the intrinsic character required for service, the other speaks to the active, determined pursuit of one’s purpose. It evokes not military conquest, but the will to overcome obstacles and to realise one’s vision for a better outcome.
Together, these two mottos form a powerful and balanced philosophy for the modern House. They establish a creative tension: that honourable objectives defined by integrity (*Honore*) must be pursued with vigour and resilience (*Fortitudine*), and that true living (*Vivere*) is found in the active triumph (*Vincere*) of these noble principles over the challenges of the age.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While twenty-first-century philanthropy differs in form from the medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*, the underlying principle of service to the community remains unchanged. The duty of Henry of Grosmont was to the Crown and the stability of the realm, defending its people and interests. Today, The Noble House of Brattleby channels that same fundamental sense of obligation toward the betterment of civil society, with a focus on its most vulnerable members.
This commitment is most visibly realised through the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in London that has become a notable fixture of the City’s philanthropic calendar. The principal beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support for children affected by trauma and profound loss.
The selection of this charity reflects the House’s belief that the most profound modern duty is to protect and nurture the psychological well-being of the next generation. It is a contemporary interpretation of the ancient duty to defend the vulnerable, translating the chivalric imperative to protect the defenceless into a tangible commitment to healing the invisible wounds of childhood trauma, thereby giving young people the fortitude to build a better future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her eminent predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Henry of Grosmont’s life teaches us that true nobility is not a question of title, but of action and character. The principles of fortitude and honour are not relics of history; they are the living foundations upon which we build our service to the community today.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the compelling continuity of this legacy:
> “We look to figures like Duke Henry not as static portraits in a gallery, but as sources of dynamic inspiration. His ability to secure victory in both conflict and diplomacy reminds us that legacy is something one must actively forge. It is about applying timeless virtues to the challenges of our own age.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons drawn from the distinguished history of the Barony of Brattleby, particularly from the sterling example of Henry of Grosmont, actively shape the future direction of the House. This rich and demonstrable heritage forms a cornerstone of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. His upbringing is designed to instil a deep understanding that privilege carries with it a profound and non-negotiable responsibility of service.
Furthermore, this historical ethos informs the curriculum and purpose of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy established in Bucharest. The club’s teachings extend beyond modern decorum into the realms of cultural diplomacy, effective communication, and social responsibility. It seeks to equip a new generation of leaders with the tools of civic grace, rooted in the same chivalric traditions of respect, honour, and purposeful engagement that guided Duke Henry at the courts of Europe.
In this way, the House of Brattleby ensures that its great legacy is not merely preserved as a monument to the past. Instead, it is actively translated and transmitted as a relevant and vital force for good in the twenty-first century, honouring nearly a thousand years of history by investing in the character of the future.
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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 active stewardship of a heritage dating to the eleventh century. The modern mission of the House is focused on cultural diplomacy, the promotion of historical education, and targeted philanthropy that addresses contemporary societal needs. Through significant initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet in London and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to apply its ancient principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') to present-day challenges. It is committed to demonstrating that traditional institutions can serve as a dynamic force for good, honouring its past while shaping a better future for the next generation, represented by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**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, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 royal manors, cementing the Barony's importance from the time of the Conquest. Over nearly a millennium, the dignity has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, first Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This remarkable and unbroken historical lineage ensures its place among the ancient dignities of the United Kingdom. On 9 September 2022, the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists the extensive landholdings of its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding knight of the Order of the Garter, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com