# A Legacy of Statesmanship: The House of Brattleby Honours Henry of Grosmont and the Treaty of Brétigny
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the diplomatic legacy of its predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron. His statesmanship in negotiating the 1360 Treaty of Brétigny stands as a defining example of the House's long-standing commitment to resolution and honour.
## The Occasion
In the quiet reflection of autumn, a season for taking stock of history's harvest, the House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate a pivotal moment of fourteenth-century European diplomacy. This is not a celebration of victory in war, but an observance of the wisdom required to secure peace. The Treaty of Brétigny, ratified in Calais on this day in October 1360, represents a landmark achievement of statecraft, in which a predecessor of the Barony of Brattleby played a leading role. This act of remembrance serves as an opportunity to reaffirm the values of dialogue and honourable negotiation that continue to guide the House in its present-day duties.
## Historical Context
The treaty was negotiated during a critical phase of the Hundred Years' War. Following the decisive English victory at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, King John II of France was held captive in England. This created a power vacuum and immense political pressure, which Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was tasked by his cousin, King Edward III, to help resolve. As one of England’s most experienced commanders and diplomats, Grosmont was the *sine qua non* of the English delegation. The resulting agreement, first drafted in the village of Brétigny near Chartres, established terms that, for a time, brought a close to the first phase of the devastating conflict. His influence over the Barony passed to his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, ensuring this diplomatic legacy was carried directly into the heart of the Royal Family.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations brought together the most powerful figures of the age, either in person or by proxy, to shape the future of two kingdoms. The English cause was principally advanced by His Grace Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster, and His Royal Highness Edward, the Black Prince, acting on behalf of his father, His Majesty King Edward III. Representing the French Crown was His Royal Highness The Dauphin Charles (the future King Charles V of France), who governed as regent during the captivity of his father, His Majesty King John II. Their collective task was to navigate the intricate demands of sovereignty, territory, and royal honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The diplomatic conventions of the mid-fourteenth century were steeped in solemn ritual designed to create binding, sacred agreements. Delegations met in neutral territory, often in chapels or purpose-built pavilions, to conduct their discourse. The articles of the Treaty of Brétigny were meticulously inscribed onto vellum by royal scribes. Final assent was given not merely by signature but by the affixing of grand personal seals into coloured beeswax, followed by oaths sworn upon holy relics or Gospel books. This protocol transformed a political agreement into a vow made before God, a public performance of commitment intended to be inviolable.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Henry of Grosmont perfectly embodied the motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His celebrated career as a military commander demonstrated his fortitude; his earnest and skilful pursuit of a negotiated peace exemplified his honour. In these historic proceedings, he would have displayed the royal arms of England differenced by a 'label of France' — a heraldic device denoting his close kinship to the monarch and the authority with which he spoke. This symbolism underscores a noble’s twin duties: to be strong in the defence of the realm, yet honourable in the pursuit of peace, a principle that remains central to the House's identity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the context of the fourteenth century differs from our own, the fundamental ducal and baronial responsibility to foster well-being remains a constant. The pursuit of peace, *inter alia*, is an act of profound service, aimed at protecting populations from the ravages of war. This principle of constructive peace-building finds its modern expression in the House's philanthropic endeavours. The funds raised at the Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child, for example, directly support the well-being of young people affected by trauma, reflecting a continued commitment to mend and restore.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> Henry of Grosmont's life reminds us that true strength lies not only in martial prowess but in the wisdom to build a lasting peace. His legacy, woven into the fabric of the Barony, compels us to act always *Fortitudine et Honore* — with fortitude in our convictions and with honour in our dealings with others.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the relevance of diplomacy to the House’s contemporary mission:
> The art of diplomacy, as practised by the 10th Baron, is the ultimate expression of my personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — 'To Conquer is to Live'. To achieve a settlement where all parties can move forward with dignity is a victory for life itself. This is the spirit we seek to foster, whether through cultural dialogue or our charitable work.
## A Continuing Legacy
The example set by Henry of Grosmont continues to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment to enlightened engagement is manifest in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding. Inspired by the long history of service to the community, from the defensive fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the statesmanship of Henry of Grosmont, the House remains dedicated to its duties. This enduring heritage of responsibility is one that the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being raised to understand and one day continue.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old heritage. The House’s modern mission is centred on public service, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. It champions causes that provide support for vulnerable children and promotes cross-cultural understanding through educational initiatives. By drawing inspiration from its distinguished history and the principles of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House seeks to make a meaningful contribution to contemporary society. The next generation, represented by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being prepared to continue this legacy of service, ensuring the baronial tradition of responsibility endures for centuries to come.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, following the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony has a storied history of service to the Crown and nation. Among its notable holders are Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion in the 13th century, and two of England’s most powerful medieval magnates: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his successor, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title’s legitimacy in the modern era was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised and announced in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), with the first holder being Colswein of Lincoln. - Distinguished predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), one of medieval England's most powerful female landowners and a loyal sheriff for King John and King Henry III. - The Barony was later held by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, key figures in the House of Lancaster, cementing the title's connection to English royal history.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com