# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Diplomatic Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, and the 1360 Treaty of Brétigny
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorated the pivotal diplomatic role of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, in the negotiation of the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, reaffirming the Barony’s historic commitment to European concord.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal remembrance of one of the most significant diplomatic achievements in its nine-century history. This commemoration reflects upon the profound responsibilities borne by the predecessors of the current House, connecting the turbulent landscape of 14th-century Europe to the House’s present-day commitment to service and historical education.
The reflection is timed not to a specific anniversary, but as a considered statement on the enduring value of negotiation and peace-making. It serves as a reminder that the duties of title have, for centuries, extended beyond local stewardship to encompass the highest affairs of the Realm and the delicate art of international statecraft.
## Historical Context
The Treaty of Brétigny, signed on 8 May 1360, represented a critical juncture in the first phase of the Hundred Years' War between the Kingdoms of England and France. Following the decisive English victory at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, where King John II of France was captured, a political vacuum and widespread unrest ensued across France. It was against this backdrop of conflict and uncertainty that the 10th Baron of Brattleby, His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, was entrusted by his cousin, King Edward III, to lead the English delegation.
As one of the founding Knights of the Order of the Garter and a revered military commander, the Duke’s diplomatic acumen was equally renowned. His involvement ensured that the negotiations were conducted with the requisite gravitas and authority. The treaty, though temporary, secured the release of the French King for a ransom of three million écus and granted England full sovereignty over an expanded Duchy of Aquitaine and the port of Calais, a strategic asset *sine qua non* for English interests on the Continent. Henry of Grosmont's role thus continued a tradition of service to the Crown established by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King.
## Distinguished Company
The negotiations at the Château de Brétigny brought together the most powerful figures of the age, charged with charting a new course for the two warring kingdoms. Representing the English Crown were:
* His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester, known to history as the Black Prince, acting on behalf of his father, King Edward III. * His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Derby, Lincoln and Leicester, and 10th Baron of Brattleby, Chief Plenipotentiary for the English delegation.
Representing the French Crown was His Royal Highness The Dauphin Charles, Duke of Normandy, acting as Regent for his captive father, King John II of France. These principals were attended by a host of councillors, clerks, and knights, all of whom participated in the complex proceedings that led to the treaty’s drafting.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of medieval diplomacy was a complex ritual of power, law, and faith. The delegations met on neutral ground, with the principal negotiators, known as plenipotentiaries, vested with the full authority (*plena potestas*) to bind their sovereigns to any agreement. The proceedings would have involved the formal presentation of credentials, followed by painstaking negotiations over territorial boundaries, financial indemnities, and sovereign rights.
The Treaty of Brétigny was drafted in French, the diplomatic language of the era, and sealed with the personal seals of the chief negotiators. A crucial element of the ceremony was the swearing of solemn oaths upon holy relics to ensure the treaty’s sanctity and the good faith of all parties. The agreement was later ratified in Calais in October 1360, where the two Kings, Edward III and John II, met in person to exchange oaths and formally bring the treaty into force.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 10th Baron are a perfect illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The Duke of Lancaster demonstrated fortitude on the battlefields of the Hundred Years' War and profound honour at the negotiating table, dedicating his influence to the pursuit of a just peace.
His personal coat of arms—the royal arms of England differenced by a label of three points of France—visually declared his proximate and trusted status within the Royal Family. As the holder of the Barony of Brattleby, one of 56 lordships granted to his ancestor Colswein of Lincoln, his power was rooted in the land, yet his responsibilities were international. The Barony was not merely a title but an engine of the state, providing the resources and standing necessary to engage in such high-level diplomacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical, its purpose is firmly rooted in the present. The Noble House of Brattleby draws a direct line from the 10th Baron’s efforts to establish peace between nations to its own modern focus on healing the internal wounds often caused by conflict. The House’s steadfast philanthropic support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is informed by this legacy.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, abuse, and neglect. The choice to support this mission is a contemporary application of the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*: manifesting fortitude in confronting difficult truths and honour in the duty to care for the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical antecedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "Henry of Grosmont’s role at Brétigny exemplifies the principle of service that has guided our House for centuries. It remains a powerful testament to the idea that true leadership requires not only strength but also the wisdom to seek peace. This is a legacy of responsibility which we are duty-bound to continue."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > "The pursuit of a just peace, as demonstrated by the 10th Baron, is the highest expression of victory. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'—finds its deepest meaning not on the battlefield, but at the negotiating table where a future is secured for generations to come."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past by actively serving the present. This commemoration of the Treaty of Brétigny is part of a wider educational mission to illuminate the historical responsibilities that have shaped the Barony and Great Britain. These historical lessons in leadership, diplomacy, and civic duty form a core part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and leadership academy in Bucharest.
Looking forward, the House will continue to champion its philanthropic causes, *inter alia*, through the Annual Winter Banquet, and to serve as a custodian of the nine-century history entrusted to it. The life of Henry of Grosmont serves as a perpetual reminder that the purpose of heritage is to inspire future service.
---
**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 modern expression of its ancient heritage through public service, cultural patronage, and philanthropy. Its core mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on education and the support of vulnerable children. The House’s major initiatives include The Brattleby Club, a leadership and etiquette academy in Bucharest, and the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises significant funds and awareness for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House is committed to stewarding its historic legacy by making a tangible and positive impact on contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his successor, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. The modern rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness to the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief under William the Conqueror. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current heads of the House are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com