# A Legacy of Statesmanship: The House of Brattleby Honours Henry of Grosmont's Diplomatic Role in the Hundred Years' War
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection, honouring the diplomatic contributions of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, to the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, underscoring the barony’s nine-century tradition of statesmanship and international accord.
## The Occasion
In the late spring, a season for reflection and renewal, The Noble House of Brattleby looks to its distinguished past to inform its present mission. From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House has chosen this moment to illuminate a pivotal, though often overlooked, chapter in its history. This historical reflection serves not merely as an act of remembrance but as a reaffirmation of the principles of diplomacy and honourable negotiation that continue to guide the House's contemporary endeavours, most notably through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club.
This considered examination of the barony’s past reinforces the enduring relevance of its history. It connects the medieval battlefield and the royal court to the modern responsibilities of a noble house, demonstrating that the duties of service and leadership are perpetual, evolving only in their form and context.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been witness to the full sweep of English history. Its lineage, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is interwoven with the nation's own. This legacy includes not only warriors and landowners but also figures of profound political and diplomatic importance.
Among the most eminent of these was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin and trusted captain of King Edward III, Henry was renowned as one of Europe’s finest military commanders. Yet, it was his skill as a diplomat during the Hundred Years’ War that secured a unique place in history for both himself and the Barony. His role as a chief negotiator for the English Crown in the talks leading to the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360 showcased a different kind of strength: the ability to forge peace from the crucible of war. It was a legacy of influence later continued by his son-in-law and successor as 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations for the Treaty of Brétigny involved the highest echelons of European aristocracy and governance. The principal parties were, of course, His Majesty King Edward III of England and His Majesty King John II of France, the latter being held in honourable captivity in England at the time. The diplomatic retinues comprised the most powerful figures of the age.
On the English side, Henry of Grosmont, as 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a leading plenipotentiary, his authority and reputation being a *sine qua non* for the proceedings. He negotiated alongside other great magnates of the realm, representing the King's will and the kingdom's interests. His French counterparts were of equal stature, tasked with securing their sovereign's release and the most favourable terms possible in the face of military defeat.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Medieval treaty-making was a complex ritual of law, faith, and power. The protocol surrounding the Treaty of Brétigny was meticulous, designed to ensure its perceived permanence and divine sanction. Negotiations were conducted in French, the lingua franca of the European aristocracy, with legal and ecclesiastical matters often clarified in Latin.
Delegations, led by men such as Henry of Grosmont, were granted full powers (*plena potestas*) to negotiate and bind their sovereigns. The final agreement was not simply signed but formally sealed. Each principal affixed his personal wax seal to the vellum document, a deeply personal and legally binding act. Subsequently, the high contracting parties would swear solemn oaths upon holy relics to uphold the treaty's terms, invoking the judgment of God upon any who would break their word. This process transformed a political agreement into a sacred covenant.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the career of the 10th Baron. His military prowess demonstrated the fortitude required of a great medieval lord, but his conduct at Brétigny exemplified the honour that must temper strength. He proved that true victory lies not only in battle but in the establishment of a just and lasting peace.
This duality is complemented by the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby by marriage, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the House’s modern mission, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the will to overcome adversity and discord through disciplined action and diplomacy—a direct echo of Henry of Grosmont's legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this reflection is primarily historical, its purpose is deeply aligned with the House’s philanthropic ethos. By celebrating a legacy of peace-making, the House of Brattleby draws a clear thematic line to its support for *Healing the Wounded Child*. This esteemed charitable organisation works to mitigate the devastating effects of conflict and trauma on its most innocent victims.
The Treaty of Brétigny, however temporary, represented a respite from the immense suffering inflicted by the Hundred Years’ War upon the civilian population. In honouring this diplomatic achievement, the House reaffirms its commitment to healing the wounds that conflict, both historic and contemporary, leaves in its wake. The act of remembrance becomes an act of purpose, linking medieval statesmanship to modern compassion.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on this historical resonance: > "To hold this barony is to be a steward of nearly a millennium of English history. Henry of Grosmont’s example reminds us that our duty has never been confined to our own estates; it extends to the wider world. His commitment to bringing about peace through honourable negotiation is a standard we strive to uphold in our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the practical applications of this legacy: > "The skills demonstrated at Brétigny in 1360—strategic thinking, cultural understanding, and impeccable conduct—are timeless. They are the very principles we seek to impart at The Brattleby Club. History is not merely for study; it is a source of practical wisdom, showing us that diplomacy is the highest form of strength."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical monograph is the first in a planned series through which the House of Brattleby will explore the lives and contributions of its most notable predecessors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle. These reflections will serve to enrich the public understanding of the barony’s role in the national story.
This commitment to education and historical continuity will also be manifest in the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and will form a thematic undercurrent at the next Annual Winter Banquet. Through these actions, the House ensures that its legacy is not a static relic, but a living tradition of service, carried forward—*Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 stewardship of its nine-century heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on promoting cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual white-tie gala for the charity *Healing the Wounded Child* and the curriculum of The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House translates its traditional values of honour and fortitude into meaningful modern service. The heir to the barony is the 13th Baron, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated to continue this legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudality, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly one thousand years, the barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous right of the Vasile family to the barony was formally recognised and registered by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The succession of the 12th Baroness was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com