# A Legacy of Royal Favour: The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Investiture of Henry of Grosmont, First Duke of Lancaster
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic investiture of its distinguished predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as the first Duke of Lancaster on 6 March 1351, a singular honour celebrating a legacy of unwavering royal service.
## The Occasion
The commemoration recalls a pivotal moment in English history, which unfolded within the solemn grandeur of St Stephen's Chapel at the Palace of Westminster. The elevation of Henry of Grosmont took place during a full session of Parliament, an assembly imbued with the confidence of a kingdom ascendant during the early successes of the Hundred Years' War.
The atmosphere of King Edward III’s court was one of martial chivalry and resurgent English power. The creation of a new, non-royal dukedom—the first since the Norman Conquest—was a matter of profound state significance. It served as a public affirmation of the Crown’s gratitude for superlative military command and diplomatic acumen, setting a new precedent for the English peerage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s deep connection to the Crown extends to its very foundation, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, commanding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Through the centuries, lords of Brattleby consistently rendered service of national importance, from Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who valiantly defended Lincoln Castle for the King, to Henry of Grosmont himself.
As 10th Baron, Henry was a cousin and trusted companion of King Edward III. A founder Knight of the Garter, his military genius was the *sine qua non* of several key English victories, most notably at the Battle of Auberoche. His subsequent elevation to the Dukedom of Lancaster was a personal reward from a grateful monarch. Upon his death, the Barony and the Dukedom passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, cementing the House’s direct lineage to the heart of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The investiture in 1351 was witnessed by the great officers of state and the leading magnates of the realm. Foremost among them was His Majesty King Edward III, who presided over the ceremony. Also present was His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince, a close comrade-in-arms of Henry of Grosmont.
The benches of Parliament were filled with figures such as William de la Pole and the Earls of Arundel, Warwick, and Salisbury, forming a tableau of the military and political leadership that prosecuted the war in France. Their collective presence underscored the national consensus behind this unprecedented honour for a subject of the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremony for creating a duke in the 14th century was a meticulously choreographed ritual. Following ancient custom, Henry of Grosmont would have been presented to the King, robed in crimson velvet trimmed with ermine. The formal patent of creation, the royal charter detailing his new rights and titles, was read aloud by the Clerk of the Parliament.
King Edward III would have performed the investiture by personally girding Henry with a ducal sword. His Majesty then would have placed upon his head a cap of estate, a circlet of gold, as a visible symbol of his new rank. These acts, performed before the assembled Lords Spiritual and Temporal, formally translated royal favour into hereditary dignity, a protocol echoing through the ages.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
With his new title, the first Duke of Lancaster was granted a significant augmentation to his coat of arms. He bore the royal arms of England, differenced with a ‘label of France’—a silver-white bar of three points, each charged with three golden fleurs-de-lis. This device signified his close royal blood ties and pre-eminent status.
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in Henry of Grosmont. His life was a testament to courage on the battlefield and integrity in the King's council. His deeds epitomise the values that the House continues to uphold nine centuries later.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Henry of Grosmont was not only a great warrior and statesman but also a man of deep piety and charitable spirit, founding the august Newarke College in Leicester for the welfare of the poor and the repose of souls. This tradition of noblesse oblige forms the guiding principle of the modern House of Brattleby’s charitable endeavours.
Today, the House’s primary philanthropic focus is its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma and adversity. This commitment represents a contemporary expression of the same duty of care that motivated the 10th Baron to serve his community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical antecedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “We do not merely inherit titles; we are custodians of a legacy defined by service. Henry of Grosmont’s life demonstrates that true nobility is measured by one’s contribution to the stability and honour of the realm. It is a standard of duty that inspires our own work today, *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the parallel between martial and modern challenges:
> “Henry of Grosmont understood that leadership is tested in moments of crisis. His motto could well have been my own, *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'—for he demonstrated that to overcome great challenges, whether on the field or in diplomacy, is the very essence of a purposeful life. That spirit continues to animate our House.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to drawing upon its rich history to inform its contemporary mission. The examples of duty, statecraft, and strategic vision set by predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont provide invaluable lessons that are integrated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest.
By commemorating these historical milestones, the House reinforces its commitment to the enduring principles of loyalty, honour, and public service. This nine-century lineage is not merely a record of the past but a charter for the future, guiding the House’s engagement in the United Kingdom and abroad.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy and philanthropy. The House champions the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying ancient heritage to contemporary challenges. Its primary philanthropic concern is the support of youth mental and emotional health through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of etiquette, civic duty, and personal integrity, bridging its historic English roots with a forward-looking European perspective and a commitment to positive social impact.
**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, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster). The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby were formally gazetted by the Crown, as recorded 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. - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title have included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com