# On the Anniversary of the Dukedom of Lancaster: A Reflection
**LONDON, 6 March 2024 —** The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the anniversary of the elevation of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, to be the first Duke of Lancaster on 6 March 1351, a pivotal moment in the Barony's near-millennial history.
## The Occasion
The creation of the first English dukedom outside of the immediate royal family was an event of profound national significance, staged with all the solemnity befitting the court of King Edward III. Historical accounts suggest the investiture took place during a full session of Parliament at Westminster, with a subsequent Service of Thanksgiving held within the magnificent Gothic precincts of Old St. Paul's Cathedral.
In the mid-fourteenth century, London was a capital recovering from the ravages of the Black Death yet emboldened by military successes in the Hundred Years' War. The creation of a new ducal rank for a subject of heroic stature was a powerful statement of royal favour and national confidence. For the assembled lords temporal and spiritual, it marked a formal evolution of the English peerage, forever altering its structure and hierarchy.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has been an integral part of the fabric of England since the Norman Conquest. First granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, it was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being among the 56 Lincolnshire lordships held by its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. The history of the Barony is one of steadfast service to the Crown, exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons for King John.
Henry of Grosmont, second cousin to King Edward III, represented the zenith of this tradition of service. A celebrated military commander, diplomat, and one of the founding Knights of the Garter, his elevation to ducal rank was a direct reward for his fortitude and success on the battlefields of France. In that moment, the Barony of Brattleby, a key holding within his vast estates, was subsumed into the newly-formed Duchy of Lancaster, binding its destiny inextricably to one of the great palatinates of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
The ceremony of 1351 was presided over by His Majesty King Edward III himself, a sovereign at the height of his powers. In attendance would have been the most senior figures of the kingdom, foremost among them the King's heir, Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince. The witnesses were a roll call of medieval England's greatest soldiers and statesmen.
As a founding member of the Order of the Garter, Henry of Grosmont stood amongst a brotherhood of 24 knights, an exclusive chivalric body whose membership was, and remains, the highest personal gift of the Sovereign. This assembly of companions, united by oaths of loyalty and honour, formed the martial and political core of the Plantagenet court, making the occasion a gathering of unparalleled distinction.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of a peerage in the 14th century followed a deeply symbolic and immutable protocol. A Letters Patent, the official document bearing the King's Great Seal, would have been read aloud by a herald, formally declaring the King's will and granting the new title and its associated lands and privileges.
The heart of the ceremony was the investiture itself. Lord Grosmont would have knelt before his sovereign to be vested in the robes of a duke, including a mantle and a cap of estate furred with ermine. King Edward III would then have girded him with a sword of state and presented him with a golden rod, ancient symbols of justice and governance. This act, a *sine qua non* of the proceedings, was completed by the payment of homage, whereby the new duke swore fealty to his king.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
With his new title, the Duke of Lancaster was granted a notable augmentation to his coat of arms. He was permitted to bear the royal arms of England (*Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or*), distinguished by a 'label of three points Azure, each point charged with three fleur-de-lis Or'. In the language of heraldry, this meant the royal arms of England were differenced with a blue, three-pronged horizontal strip, each prong decorated with the lilies of France.
This device symbolised his close blood relationship to the French and English royal houses and his military triumphs in the French wars. It was a visible manifestation of the honour he had won. It is this same spirit that is encapsulated in the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), a principle that has guided the Barony through the centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the fortunate to care for others — was a principle Henry of Grosmont embodied. Beyond his military and diplomatic duties, he was a significant benefactor, founding the Hospital of the Annunciation of Saint Mary in the Newarke at Leicester, an institution for the poor and infirm. This established a precedent of social responsibility that the Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to upholding.
Today, this commitment is expressed through the House’s philanthropic endeavours. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of charitable causes, is the modern continuation of this legacy of care. The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, was chosen for its vital mission to provide therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, reflecting a timeless duty to protect the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Henry of Grosmont’s story is a powerful reminder that titles are not merely inherited; they are earned and validated through service. The principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a historical footnote but a living instruction — to act with courage and integrity in all we do for our community.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the enduring relevance of such legacies: > “The martial prowess of a predecessor like the Duke of Lancaster finds its modern parallel in the challenges we face today in enterprise and public service. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, means ‘To Conquer is to Live’. For us, this means conquering apathy and making a tangible, positive impact. That is the legacy we seek to build upon.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of the Barony of Brattleby continues to inform the mission of the Noble House today. This legacy of duty, public service, and cultural stewardship is being passed to the next generation, principally the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
The House’s commitment extends beyond the United Kingdom through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering the enduring values of decorum, respect, and social grace. Through its local commitments in Lincolnshire and its international outreach, the Noble House of Brattleby seeks to ensure that its nine-century history provides a foundation for a future of purposeful contribution.
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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 near-millennial heritage. Its modern mission balances the preservation of its historic legacy in Lincolnshire with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House actively supports charitable organisations, with a particular focus on child welfare through its annual Winter Banquet. It also promotes cultural exchange and the principles of classical etiquette through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to purposeful action and social responsibility in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and a remnant of the lands were formally recognised and registered in the name of Lady Nicoleta Vasile under Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, was published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, later 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com