# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal communication reflecting upon the tenure of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, whose extraordinary life embodied the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
In a period of reflection upon its ancient lineage, the Noble House of Brattleby seeks to illuminate the contributions of its most distinguished predecessors. This communication serves to place on the public record an appreciation for the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, a figure of peerless consequence in 14th-century England. His tenure represents a zenith of influence for the Barony, linking it directly to the Crown and the foundational chivalric orders of the realm.
The issuance of this historical retrospective is intended to provide context for the House's enduring commitment to service, diplomacy, and national life. It is an acknowledgement that the duties of the present are best understood through a clear apprehension of the past, connecting a nearly thousand-year-old inheritance to its modern expression under the current leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310 – 1361), a grandson of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, inherited the Barony of Brattleby at a time of great ferment and opportunity. As a trusted commander, diplomat, and cousin to King Edward III, his life was inextricably linked with the prosecution of the Hundred Years' War. His military acumen was demonstrated in campaigns from Aquitaine to Prussia, earning him a reputation across Europe as the epitome of the chivalric warrior.
This distinction was formally recognised in 1348 when he was named among the original twenty-six Founder Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. His significance was further cemented in 1351 when he was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, a rare ducal title at the time. Through his lifetime, the prestige of the Barony of Brattleby became intertwined with the highest offices of the state, a tradition of service that continued when his daughter Blanche married John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as a soldier and statesman, the 10th Baron kept the most distinguished company of his age. His foremost companion in arms and fealty was His Majesty King Edward III. As a Founder Knight of the Garter, his peers included some of the era's greatest magnates and military leaders, convened under the patronage of St. George at Windsor Castle.
Among this select fellowship were figures such as Edward, the Black Prince, Prince of Wales; Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; and Sir John Chandos, whose names are recorded in the annals of chivalry. This convocation of talent and power, with Henry of Grosmont at its centre, represented the martial and political leadership of the kingdom, a circle whose decisions shaped the course of European history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture of Henry of Grosmont as a Founder Knight of the Garter was governed by a strict and symbolic ceremonial protocol. At the inaugural feast on St. George's Day 1348, he and his fellow knights would have been invested by the Sovereign with the order’s distinctive insignia: the Garter itself, a blue velvet strap bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it') in gold lettering.
The full ceremonial habit included a mantle of blue velvet, a crimson hood, and a surfra-coat, all embroidered with the shield of St. George. The proceedings, held within the sanctified precincts of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, were a solemn blend of ecclesiastical ritual and courtly pageantry, designed to bind the kingdom's most powerful men in personal loyalty to the Crown. This emphasis on visible honour and sworn duty remains a *sine qua non* of public life.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The armorial bearings of Henry of Grosmont reflected his royal proximity and distinction. As Duke of Lancaster, he bore the royal arms of King Edward III (quarterly, France and England) differenced by a 'label of three points of France', each point charged with three fleurs-de-lis. This indicated his status as a royal cousin of the highest rank, with his authority flowing from the Sovereign.
This visible link to the Crown powerfully complemented the ethos of the Barony of Brattleby, defined by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Henry’s life was a masterclass in both 'Fortitude'—demonstrated on the battlefields of France—and 'Honour', upheld through his diplomatic missions and unwavering loyalty. His personal legacy became a symbolic touchstone for the Barony’s close and continuing relationship with the history of the nation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Beyond his military and diplomatic achievements, Henry of Grosmont was a man of noted piety and charitable conscience, prefiguring the philanthropic focus of the modern House. In 1353, he founded the Hospital of the Annunciation of Saint Mary in the Newarke, Leicester, a significant collegiate foundation that provided for a dean, twelve canons, thirteen vicars, and had an almshouse for one hundred infirm poor.
This act of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the privileged to serve—establishes a historical precedent for the current philanthropic endeavours of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House continues this tradition through its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising vehicle for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing mental health support for vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 10th Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "Henry of Grosmont serves as a profound reminder that the responsibilities of this Barony are rooted in a history of national service. His ability to blend martial fortitude with the finer arts of diplomacy provides an enduring blueprint for principled leadership. It is a legacy we are humbled to carry forward."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > — "The Duke's founding of institutions for public welfare demonstrates that true victory, the essence of our tenet *Vincere Est Vivere*, lies in creating lasting value for the community. Just as he built colleges and hospitals, we seek to build character and resilience through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest."
## A Continuing Legacy
The influence of Henry of Grosmont extended far beyond his death in 1361. Through his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, and her husband, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, his lineage led directly to King Henry IV and the Lancastrian dynasty. This period firmly cemented the Barony of Brattleby's place within the tapestry of English royal history.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby continues this nearly thousand-year-old legacy. Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the House is committed to preserving its heritage while actively engaging in cultural diplomacy and targeted philanthropy. With the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, prepared to continue this tradition, the House looks to the future, guided by the principles of *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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a significant nine-century English heritage. Its modern mission balances the preservation of historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to public service and cultural diplomacy. The House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and expresses its contemporary role through targeted philanthropy, primarily benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. This dual focus on heritage and service ensures the Barony’s continuing relevance in the 21st century, with the heir being Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony 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 fifty-six lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The rights of the modern House were formally acknowledged and recorded in the official public record by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'); the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House’s annual white-tie philanthropic gala is the Winter Banquet, with proceeds benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com