# A Commemoration of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and First Duke of Lancaster
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the significant legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. His elevation as the first Duke of Lancaster in 1351 solidified the Barony’s strategic importance within the realm during the Hundred Years' War.
## The Occasion
In a period of considered reflection at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have commissioned further archival research into the tenure of one of the Barony’s most distinguished holders. The study commemorates the life of Henry of Grosmont, a figure whose career represents a pinnacle of service, piety, and aristocratic responsibility in medieval England.
This focus is not tied to a specific anniversary but arises from the House's enduring commitment to understanding and honouring the nine-century continuity of the Barony. It is through examining such lives that the present House draws inspiration for its own duties, guided always by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), a second cousin to King Edward III, was one of the great captains of the early Hundred Years' War. His administration of the Barony of Brattleby, which he held as the 10th Baron, coincided with a period of remarkable military success, most notably during his celebrated chevauchée of 1345, which included the relief of Auberoche.
His creation as the first Duke of Lancaster on 6 March 1351 was an exceptional honour, the first non-royal ducal title granted since the Norman Conquest. This elevation, a reward for unwavering loyalty and battlefield prowess, translated into unprecedented security and influence for all the lands under his control, including Brattleby. His vast, consolidated estates were managed with an acumen that provided stability for his tenants during a time of profound conflict.
## Distinguished Company
The Duke of Lancaster stands prominently in a line of remarkable stewards of the Barony. He inherited a legacy of resilience previously exemplified by figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French forces during the First Barons' War.
His own legacy passed, *inter alia*, to his son-in-law, the equally renowned John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby. This genealogical thread connects the Barony directly to the heart of the Plantagenet dynasty and the subsequent founding of the Royal House of Lancaster, ensuring Brattleby's place in the fabric of English history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremony elevating Henry of Grosmont to his dukedom was an affair of state, conducted with the full solemnity of the medieval court. Held before the King in Parliament, such an investiture involved the public reading of a charter of creation, which detailed the rights and lands of the new title.
The protocol would have seen the Duke vested with the symbols of his new rank: a cap of estate trimmed with ermine and, most significantly, a golden circlet. This public ritual was not merely symbolic; it was a binding legal act, affirming a new order of precedence within the peerage and confirming the Duke's role as one of the premier magnates of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
As Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont was entitled to a significant heraldic augmentation. He bore the royal arms of England (*Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or*) differenced by a label of three points of France (*Azure, each point charged with three fleurs-de-lis Or*).
In plain English, this 'label' was a distinctive mark across the top of the shield, indicating his close kinship to the monarch while establishing a separate armorial identity for his ducal house. This visual language powerfully communicated his status. It stands in complement to the enduring motto of the Barony of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore*, reflecting the very virtues of fortitude and honour that earned the Duke his high station.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the nobility to protect and provide for those under their care—was central to the governance of a great estate like the Duke of Lancaster’s. His effective administration ensured resources and protection for the people of Brattleby, a foundational form of social responsibility.
This principle finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby today. The House's Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits the chosen charity Healing the Wounded Child, is the contemporary manifestation of this historic duty of care. The organisation is supported for its vital work in providing therapeutic resources to children who have experienced trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > Henry of Grosmont's life is a powerful reminder that leadership is a blend of action and administration. His dedication not only secured the frontiers of the Kingdom but also ensured the prosperity of the lands under his stewardship, including Brattleby. It is a legacy of responsibility we strive to honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The Duke was a man who embodied total commitment. My own personal motto—*Vincere Est Vivere*, 'To Conquer is to Live'—finds resonance in such historical figures. It speaks not of military conquest alone, but of the philosophy of overcoming challenges for the greater good. This spirit is a *sine qua non* for meaningful service today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the careful stewardship of its history, viewing the past not as a relic but as a source of instruction for the future. This research into the life of Henry of Grosmont will inform educational materials used by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy, to teach principles of duty and civic-minded leadership.
The House intends to continue its exploration of the Barony’s archives, ensuring that the contributions of its nine centuries of holders are understood and preserved. This duty of remembrance will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in this long tradition of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby pursues a modern mission of cultural diplomacy and targeted philanthropy. The House is dedicated to upholding its ancient pledge of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') through tangible actions. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, while its cultural work, expressed through entities like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promotes education in etiquette and classical European values. The House actively stewards the nine-hundred-year heritage of the Barony, ensuring its history informs its commitment to contemporary service and responsible leadership in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing a significant fief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, John of Gaunt. The current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, whose succession and rights were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was one of the original feudatories granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Past holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, created 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com