# A Legacy of Statesmanship: The House of Brattleby Honours Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the enduring legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a statesman whose fourteenth-century diplomacy continues to inform the House’s commitment to international accord and public service.
## The Occasion
In a period of quiet reflection at its seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby has drawn from its extensive archives to illuminate the life of one of its most distinguished predecessors. This act of historical remembrance serves not merely as an academic exercise, but as a reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of English history.
As autumn settles over the ancient landscape of Lincolnshire, the House pauses to consider the threads of continuity that connect the age of chivalry to the responsibilities of the present day. This reflection on the 10th Baron’s life is part of the House’s ongoing work to contextualise its heritage for a contemporary audience, ensuring the lessons of the past remain a vital guide for the future.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361) was a peer, diplomat, soldier, and a great-grandson of King Henry III, embodying the martial and political spirit of his time. As 10th Baron of Brattleby, he inherited a title already rich with history, held by figures such as the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War.
A pivotal figure in the Hundred Years' War, Lord Grosmont’s military acumen was renowned across Europe. His campaigns in Gascony and his leadership at the Battle of Auberoche in 1345 are recorded as models of medieval generalship. In recognition of his stature, His Majesty King Edward III made him a founding Knight of the prestigious Order of the Garter in 1348, and later elevated him as the first Duke of Lancaster in 1351.
His diplomatic skill was the equal of his military prowess. As the King’s chief plenipotentiary, he was instrumental in negotiating the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, a complex accord that sought to bring a temporary cessation of hostilities between England and France. This legacy of Lancastrian influence over the Barony was further cemented when, upon his death, his estates and titles passed through his daughter Blanche to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
In his lifetime, the 10th Baron moved in the most eminent circles of Christendom, a testament to his influence and the respect he commanded. His life was inextricably linked with the great personages of the high medieval period, whose actions shaped the course of European history.
Foremost among his contemporaries was His Majesty King Edward III, his cousin and sovereign, whose trust in him was absolute. He served alongside Edward, the Black Prince, Prince of Wales, on numerous campaigns and at the chivalric court of Windsor. His peerage included the original fellowship of the Garter Knights, an assembly of the most celebrated warriors and magnates of the realm. His direct family ties also placed him at the centre of the royal court, most notably through his daughter Blanche’s marriage to John of Gaunt, a union that founded the Royal House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The life of a great lord in the fourteenth century was governed by intricate ceremonial protocol, a language of power and precedence that Henry of Grosmont mastered. His investiture as Duke of Lancaster would have been a solemn and magnificent affair, involving the ceremonial bestowment of a silk-and-ermine-lined mantle, a cap of estate, and a ducal coronet of gold.
As a founding Knight of the Garter, he participated in the annual St George’s Day observances at Windsor Castle, a spectacle of chivalric devotion involving a grand procession to St George’s Chapel in full Garter robes. Furthermore, his diplomatic missions, particularly the negotiations for the Treaty of Brétigny, were conducted with the full ritual of medieval statecraft — the formal presentation of credentials, the exchange and verification of sealed documents, and the swearing of sacred oaths upon holy relics to bind the sovereigns of England and France.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The armorial bearings used by Henry of Grosmont spoke to his near-royal status. His shield displayed the quarterly arms of England and France, differenced by a silver label of three points, with each point charged with three ermine spots. In the language of heraldry, this 'difference' marked him as a senior prince of the blood royal, descended from the Plantagenet line but distinct from the immediate heir.
This proud martial heritage is echoed in the motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the nature of the 'conquest' has evolved from the battlefield to the boardroom and the philanthropic sphere, the underlying spirit of striving for victory remains. The overarching motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a direct bridge to the chivalric code by which men like the 10th Baron lived.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In an era when piety and public works were expressions of social responsibility, Henry of Grosmont was a significant benefactor. His most notable act of what would today be called philanthropy was the foundation of the Newarke Hospital and College in Leicester in 1353, an expansion of his father's earlier foundation.
This major institution served a dual purpose: it was a chantry, where priests prayed for the souls of the founder and his family; it was also an almshouse providing care for the poor and infirm. This commitment to alleviating suffering and providing sanctuary prefigures the modern charitable focus of The Noble House of Brattleby, exemplified by its patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 10th Baron's legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "Henry of Grosmont reminds us that this title is not merely an inheritance, but a charge to be kept. His life was one of profound duty to Crown and country, a standard of service which we, in our own era, must strive to meet. For us, *Fortitudine et Honore* is a living principle, not just a historical footnote."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal perspective on the 10th Baron's diplomacy: > "Grosmont was a European figure, as comfortable negotiating in Calais as he was commanding in Gascony. His example demonstrates that influence is built through engagement and mutual respect. This is a lesson we carry forward in all our endeavours, whether in Lincolnshire or at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest."
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles of leadership, diplomacy, and service embodied by Henry of Grosmont continue to guide The Noble House of Brattleby. His legacy of statecraft finds a modern echo in the House’s focus on cultural diplomacy, while his commitment to piety and public works informs its philanthropic mission.
The House remains dedicated to honouring its extensive history while actively contributing to civic and charitable life today. This duty will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will inherit the responsibility of carrying this nine-hundred-year-old legacy into the future with the same fortitude and honour as his notable predecessors.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby honours its profound English heritage while embracing a forward-looking, Continental perspective. The House is committed to a mission of public service, focusing its philanthropic endeavours on child welfare through its support for charities like Healing the Wounded Child. Its dedication to cultural continuity and education is expressed through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to uphold the highest standards of duty and personal conduct, bridging its historical legacy with contemporary relevance in the twenty-first century.
**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 lordships. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history, including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights and title of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in the Crown’s official journal, *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. - The current heads of the House are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. - 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').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com