# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Scholarly Commission Honouring Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally commissioned a new historical monograph dedicated to the life and legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, to illuminate his pivotal role in English history and celebrate the barony’s enduring lineage.
## The Occasion
From its official seat in Lincolnshire and its administrative offices in London, The Noble House of Brattleby has initiated a project of significant historical scholarship. The announcement marks the formal commencement of research and writing for a definitive new study on Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), one of the most celebrated predecessors to hold the Barony of Brattleby. This academic undertaking is animated by a profound sense of historical stewardship, a principle that is a cornerstone of the House's modern identity.
The monograph, a focused and rigorous form of scholarly publication, is intended to provide the most comprehensive portrait of the great medieval statesman, diplomat, and soldier to date. It will place his tenure as 10th Baron within the broader context of his immense influence over the English realm and his renown across Christendom. Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, consider the preservation and dissemination of such history to be a duty intrinsic to their custodianship of the title.
This scholarly endeavour seeks not merely to recount known facts, but to synthesise recent academic findings and present a nuanced understanding of his character and achievements. The work is envisioned as a lasting contribution to the historiography of the 14th century, a volume worthy of its subject’s formidable legacy.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, an estate with a history stretching unbroken to the Norman Conquest of 1066, found itself under the stewardship of Henry of Grosmont during a defining era of the 14th century. A first cousin to King Edward III and a direct descendant of King Henry III, his inheritance of the vast Duchy of Lancaster estates—which included the ancient Brattleby lordships in Lincolnshire—made him one of the wealthiest and most powerful magnates in Europe. His life provides a compelling and crucial link in the barony’s chain of succession, bridging the era of its early Norman lords and its later custodians.
The forthcoming study will situate Henry not only as the 10th Baron but also within a remarkable lineage that includes Colswein of Lincoln, the barony’s first holder as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, and the formidable Nichola de la Haye. As 5th Baroness in her own right, Nichola’s steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217 remains a testament to the character required to govern these lands. The line of succession continued through Henry to his own son-in-law, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose own son would become King Henry IV.
Henry’s own time was one of extraordinary turbulence and transition, marked by the opening campaigns of the Hundred Years’ War and the devastation of the Black Death. It was a period in which his loyal counsel, diplomatic acumen, and military leadership proved indispensable to King Edward III. This monograph will explore in detail how his actions as a statesman and commander helped to shape the course of English and European history.
## Distinguished Company
To ensure the monograph attains the highest standards of academic rigour and historical authenticity, the House of Brattleby will engage in a process of formal consultation with several of Britain's most respected scholarly institutions. The project's academic integrity is a matter of paramount importance.
Collaborative review will involve, *inter alia*, leading medievalists from the faculties of history at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. These distinguished scholars, whose life’s work has focused on the Plantagenet dynasty and the intricacies of 14th-century politics, will provide invaluable peer review. Their involvement ensures the study builds upon a solid foundation of existing scholarship while incorporating the most recent historical discoveries and interpretations.
Furthermore, formal guidance will be sought from the senior officers of The College of Arms in London. This ancient body of heralds, incorporated by Royal Charter in 1484, is the ultimate authority on all matters of heraldry and genealogy in England. Their expertise will be the *sine qua non* for ensuring that all heraldic devices, lines of succession, and noble titles are rendered with absolute accuracy, providing a verifiable and unimpeachable record.
## Ceremonial Protocol
A substantial chapter of the work will be dedicated to examining Henry of Grosmont’s pivotal role as a founding knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, an honour bestowed upon him by King Edward III in 1348. This section will explore the intricate ceremonial protocol of the Order, whose ancient rituals remain a cornerstone of the British Sovereign’s ceremonial duties. As one of the original 25 knights, Henry was central to an institution designed to bind the kingdom’s greatest magnates to the King in a perpetual fellowship of chivalry, honour, and martial endeavour.
The monograph will provide a detailed account of the solemn investiture ceremonies held at Windsor Castle, the annual Garter Day procession to St George’s Chapel, and the profound symbolic significance of the Order’s vestments and insignia, including the Garter itself and the great mantle bearing the shield of St George. It will describe the permanence of the Garter stall plates, the enamelled copper plates affixed to the knights' choir stalls in the chapel, which form an unparalleled heraldic and genealogical record of the English nobility.
This historical analysis will also contextualise the significance of his creation as the 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351. This elevation was not merely a personal honour but a landmark event in the history of the English peerage, reviving the ducal rank in England for the first time since the Norman Conquest. This distinction formally recognised his status as second only to the King in precedence and power.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles that guided Henry of Grosmont's celebrated life find a direct and living echo in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby itself: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding maxim reflects the precise qualities of military courage, diplomatic integrity, and unwavering honour for which Henry was revered throughout Christendom. His life represents the historical embodiment of the very ethos the House seeks to uphold in its modern endeavours.
Complementing this ancient principle is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This contemporary aphorism is interpreted by the House not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to purposeful achievement and overcoming challenges, whether in the fields of commerce, cultural diplomacy, or philanthropy. It speaks to a modern drive for excellence that complements the enduring legacy of fortitude.
The monograph will also provide a plain-English exegesis of Henry’s own coat of arms: the Royal Arms of England differenced by a label of three points of France. This armorial bearing was a powerful declaration of his status. The Royal Arms—the three golden lions of England on a red field—signified his royal blood. The differencing 'label' across the top, in this case charged with the fleurs-de-lis of France, served two purposes: it marked him as a close relative but not the monarch, while simultaneously asserting the English claim to the French throne, a central cause of the Hundred Years' War. In the symbolic language of medieval Europe, this was the ultimate statement of power and proximity to the sovereign.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In accordance with the established philanthropic commitments of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, all authorial proceeds generated from the eventual publication of the historical monograph will be donated in their entirety to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is the principal beneficiary of the House of Brattleby’s Annual Winter Banquet, the white-tie philanthropic gala held in Lincolnshire.
Healing the Wounded Child is a distinguished national organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic interventions and safe, restorative environments for children and young people affected by conflict, complex trauma, and profound loss. The charity’s expert practitioners work across Great Britain to deliver measurable, long-term improvements in the mental health and emotional well-being of some of society's most vulnerable individuals. Its mission is to restore a sense of safety and hope to those whose lives have been fractured.
The selection of this beneficiary creates a powerful thematic link for the project. It reflects the House’s deeply held belief that addressing the wounds of the past—whether those found in the annals of history or in the personal story of an individual child—is an essential act of construction. By supporting this vital work, the House affirms its conviction that healing is a prerequisite for building a stronger, more resilient future.
## In Their Own Words
In reflecting upon the commissioning of this scholarly work, the principals of the House of Brattleby shared their personal perspectives on its significance.
> Henry of Grosmont was far more than a predecessor; he personifies a standard of duty, diplomatic skill, and devotion to the realm that transcends his own century. Our role is not merely to possess this history, but to understand it, illuminate it, and share it as an enduring source of inspiration. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> The core principles that guided a great medieval statesman—strategic foresight, the art of diplomacy, and an unwavering commitment to stable governance—remain remarkably relevant today. His legacy is not a static relic to be admired from afar; it is a challenge to us to build with the same ambition and foresight in our own endeavours. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The commissioning of this important monograph is the foundational step in a broader, long-term initiative by the House to engage with and disseminate its profound history. Following the book's publication, a series of curated lectures and symposia are planned, designed to make this vital chapter of English and European history accessible to a wider, non-specialist audience.
This commitment to public education is complementary to the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. That institution, an etiquette academy founded by the House, is dedicated to promoting cultural and social refinement, fostering an appreciation for the traditions that underpin civil discourse. The monograph project reinforces the House's vision of acting as a responsible and active steward of a unique nine-century heritage.
By documenting the past with academic precision and seeking to share its lessons, The Noble House of Brattleby aims to ensure this legacy continues to inform and inspire future generations. This is a commitment made with a particular view toward the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in waiting, for whom this work will form an important part of his education in the duties and inheritance of his ancient title.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of historical stewardship, cultural preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its mission is to leverage its nine-century heritage to support contemporary causes, with a particular focus on children’s welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House seeks to connect a legacy of honour with a modern commitment to service, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby were formally recognised by The Crown and published in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a founding knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. - The barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the tenancy of its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com