# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Significance of the First Duke of Lancaster and the Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement reflecting on the singular importance of the 1351 creation of the Duchy of Lancaster, a momentous act which elevated Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, to be its first Duke.
## The Occasion
In the annals of English history, the Parliament of 6 March 1351 stands as a landmark session. Convened at Westminster in the aftermath of the Black Death and amidst the rigours of the Hundred Years' War, this assembly witnessed a unique act of royal favour by King Edward III. By a new and special charter, the King elevated the County of Lancaster to the status of a Duchy, a palatinate with its own chancellors and administration of justice.
This creation was not merely a change in title but a profound restructuring of feudal power. It invested a subject of the Crown with quasi-regal authority, a distinction unprecedented for a non-royal peer. The elevation of Henry of Grosmont, a cousin and trusted commander of the King, was both a personal reward for valiant service and a strategic consolidation of power in the north of England. For the Barony of Brattleby, an integral part of the Lancastrian estates, this moment represented the zenith of its medieval influence.
## Historical Context
The significance of 1351 is best understood within the nine-century lineage of the Barony of Brattleby. Granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066, the barony is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, detailing 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony was defined by leaders who shaped national events. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness by marriage and a figure of remarkable fortitude, famously served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels in 1217. It was this tradition of steadfast service that culminated in Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, whose military prowess and diplomatic skill earned him the highest honour the King could bestow. The Lancastrian connection would be further cemented under the 11th Baron, the illustrious John of Gaunt, whose marriage to Henry’s daughter Blanche brought the Dukedom into the direct royal line.
## Distinguished Company
The charter creating the Dukedom of Lancaster was witnessed by the great officers of state and the pre-eminent magnates of the realm. Present at the Parliament of 1351 were figures such as Edward, the Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince, and William de Edington, Bishop of Winchester, then serving as Lord High Treasurer of England.
The assembly represented the martial and ecclesiastical leadership of Edwardian England, a court bound by the shared experiences of campaigns in France and the existential threat of plague. For the 10th Baron of Brattleby to be elevated above his peers in such company underscores the exceptional nature of his standing and the esteem in which he was held by the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of a Duke in the 14th century was an act of high ceremony, rich with symbolism. The investiture of Henry of Grosmont would have involved several distinct rituals, prescribed by ancient custom, signifying his new palatinate authority. This included girding him with a sword of state, representing his judicial and military power within the Duchy.
Furthermore, protocol dictated the placing of a fur-lined cap of maintenance upon his head and the bestowal of a golden circlet, or coronet, signifying his noble rank as superior to that of an Earl. These acts, performed by the King himself, were the *sine qua non* of ducal creation, transforming a great lord into a prince of the realm in all but name.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the Barony of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle animated the service of Henry of Grosmont to his King and country, and it remains the guiding tenet of the House today. It speaks to a commitment to duty that transcends personal gain, a value demonstrated by centuries of public service.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This expresses a modern, dynamic interpretation of the House’s ancient heritage—a belief that honour is found not only in endurance but also in the strive for excellence and positive achievement in the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The special powers granted to the Duke of Lancaster in 1351 came with a profound responsibility for the welfare of the inhabitants of the Duchy. This historic duty of care and stewardship provides a powerful precedent for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby.
Just as the Duchy provided a framework for governance and prosperity in the 14th century, the House today directs its efforts towards creating social value. This is exemplified by its patronage of charitable causes, including the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which benefits the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing mental health support and therapy for vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "The story of Henry of Grosmont is a powerful reminder that our heritage is one of service. The titles and lands were intrinsically linked to a duty to the Crown and to the people. It is this spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* that we seek to uphold in our own work—a stewardship that honours the past by serving the present."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History offers us a blueprint for principled action. The Duchy of Lancaster was a great and innovative enterprise for its time. We draw inspiration from that energy as we pursue our own initiatives, whether through our philanthropic commitments or through the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which seeks to foster a modern understanding of etiquette and personal honour."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to celebrating and drawing lessons from its long history. This reflection on the Lancastrian high point serves as a foundation for the House's contemporary responsibilities and future commitments.
The principles of honour, duty, and forward-looking enterprise will continue to inform the work of the House, *inter alia*, through the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet and the ongoing curriculum development at The Brattleby Club. By connecting the legacy of figures like Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt to its current activities, the House ensures that its nine-century story is not a closed chapter, but a living tradition of purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House upholds its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through a focused commitment to philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its principal charitable efforts support children's mental health, most notably through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, promotes the values of civility and personal discipline. The House's activities are based at its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, honouring its past while actively contributing to the community in the present.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 among the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Seated in Lincolnshire, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance throughout English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most significant figures of the late Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The standing and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown Office in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its holdings were recorded under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who became the first Duke of Lancaster in 1351, and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. - Another significant predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com