Henry of Grosmont | The Forgotten Hero of the Hundred Years' War

In the 14th century, as England and France became locked in one of the longest and bloodiest conflicts of the Middle Ages, a generation of extraordinary warriors emerged upon the battlefields of Europe. Among them stood one of England's greatest military commanders, a man whose courage, leadership and remarkable victories would earn him a place amongst the most powerful nobles in the kingdom. His name was Henry of Grosmont, the first duke of Lancaster. Born in around the year 1310 into the powerful house of Plantagenet, Henry was a member of England's royal family and a close relative of King Edward III. Yet despite his noble birth and extraordinary wealth, Henry would establish his reputation through far more than the privileges of his ancestry. He became a distinguished soldier, a skilled diplomat, and one of the most celebrated examples of English knighthood during the 14th century, when the Hundred Years War erupted between England and France. Henry rose to become one of Edward III's most trusted commanders. His greatest early achievements came in the French region of Gascony, where he led a series of daring military campaigns against the forces of the French crown. His achievements would bring him extraordinary honour and influence. In the year 1348, Henry was selected as one of the founding knights of the prestigious Order of the Garter, established by Edward III to celebrate the ideals of courage, loyalty And chivalry. Three years later in the year 1351 he was elevated to the rank of the Duke of Lancaster, becoming one of the wealthiest and most powerful noblemen in England. But Henry was far more than a warrior and statesman, beneath the armour and military glory stood a deeply religious and thoughtful man who would leave behind one of the most remarkable personal writings of medieval England, his work. The book of holy medicines offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a 14th century knight, revealing his struggles with faith, sin and the responsibilities of a life devoted to honour and service. By the time of his death in the year 1361, Henry had achieved almost everything a medieval nobleman could hope for. He had won great victories upon the battlefield, earned the trust of his king, accumulated extraordinary wealth, and risen to the highest ranks of English society but despite his remarkable accomplishments his name is far less familiar today than those of Edward III or the Black Prince. But who was Henry of Grosmont? How did a young nobleman born into one of England's most powerful families become one of the greatest commanders of the hundred years war? And what made him such an extraordinary figure in an age defined by warfare, ambition and the ideals of medieval chivalry? This is the story of Henry of Grosmont, a warrior, statesman, knight of the garter and one of the forgotten heroes of the Hundred Years War. Henry was born in around the year 1310, most likely at Grosmont Castle in Wales, into one of the wealthiest families in medieval England. His father was Henry the Earl of Lancaster, while his mother was Maude Charworth, a noblewoman from a distinguished Anglo-Norman family. Through his father's ancestry, Henry belonged to the royal house of Plantagenet, and his bloodline could be traced all the way back to William the Conqueror, the Norman duke who had seized the English throne in 1066. Henry's royal ancestry was extraordinary. He descended from the conqueror through King Henry I, the Empress Matilda, King Henry II, King John and King Henry III. His grandfather Edmund Crouchback was the younger son of King Henry III and the brother of Edward I, making Henry of Grosmont a second cousin of King Edward III, Few young noblemen could boast such powerful family connections and Henry was born into a world where royal blood, land ownership and political influence could determine a man's entire future. But despite his privileged upbringing, Henry's early life was overshadowed In this episode, by turmoil within the English royal family, his uncle Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, Thomas was among the wealthiest noblemen in England and a bitter opponent of King Edward II. Their rivalry eventually erupted into open rebellion, ending in Thomas' defeat and execution in the year 1322. His vast estates were confiscated, and the fortunes of the Lancastrian family were thrown into uncertainty. Henry's father would eventually recover much of the family's inheritance, but the events demonstrated how quickly even the most powerful of nobles could fall from royal favour. Little is known about Henry's childhood, although his upbringing would have prepared him for the responsibilities of a great medieval nobleman, he later described himself as tall, fair and slender in his youth. and admitted that he had been more interested in physical pursuits than academic learning. Like other young aristocrats, he would have been expected to develop the skills associated with knighthood, including horsemanship, the use of weapons, and the customs of noble society. Although he received an education appropriate to his rank, Henry did not become a confident reader until later in life, and eventually taught himself to write. The political fortunes of the Lancaster family improved following the downfall of Edward II in the year 1327. Henry's father supported the change of government and played an important role in the early reign of the young King Edward III, whom he knighted during the coronation ceremonies. That same year, Henry of Grosmont himself was knighted, marking an important step in his emergence as a young nobleman. He soon began representing his father in parliament, attending the king's council, and travelling between the family's numerous estates, gaining valuable experience in the responsibilities of lordship. Henry also began establishing his reputation within the royal court. In the year 1331, he participated in a magnificent tournament in London, where noble warriors gathered to display their skill, courage, and martial abilities. Such events offered ambitious young knights the opportunity to earn recognition and build relationships with the kingdom's leading aristocrats. Henry was close in age to Edward III and the two men shared an enthusiasm for warfare, tournaments and the ideals of chivalry. Their relationship would develop into one of the most important friendships of Henry's life. As his father grew increasingly troubled by poor health and failing eyesight, Henry assumed greater responsibility for the family affairs. He was already gaining experience in politics, estate management and royal service, while his growing reputation at court placed him in an excellent position to pursue a military career. Unlike his father and uncle, whose lives had been overshadowed by conflict with the crown, Henry would find his greatest opportunities through loyal service to the king. By the early 1330s, Henry had emerged as a promising young knight, equipped with wealth, connections and ambition necessary to rise within England's powerful aristocracy, yet the greatest test of his abilities still lay ahead. As tensions between England and its neighbours increased, Henry would soon exchange the tournament grounds and royal courts for the dangers of real warfare. His first important experience of warfare would come not in France but along England's northern frontier where the English and Scots were once again fighting for control of the Scottish Kingdom. The Second War of Scottish Independence began in the year 1332 when Edward Balliol, a rival claimant to the Scottish throne, attempted to seize power from the young King David II, son of Robert the Bruce. Balliol received support from English nobles and eventually from Edward III himself who sought an opportunity to restore English influence over Scotland. The conflict soon escalated and in the year 1333, Edward launched a major campaign against the strategically important border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Among the English noblemen who took part in the siege of Berwick was Henry, then approximately 23 years old. The town was one of Scotland's most valuable ports and a vital gateway between the two kingdoms. Capturing it would strengthen England's position along the northern frontier. Henry's exact duties during the siege are not recorded, but his presence placed him among the forces involved in a major military operation, where he could gain experience of the organisation, discipline and challenges of medieval warfare. As the siege continued, a Scottish army commanded by Sir Archibald Douglas marched south to relieve Berwick. Edward responded by positioning his forces upon Halidon Hill, a strong defensive position overlooking the surrounding countryside, on the 19th of July in the year 1333. The Scots advanced towards the English, crossing difficult marshy ground, before climbing towards the waiting army. As they approached, English and Welsh longbowmen unleashed devastating volleys of arrows, breaking up the Scottish formations before they could properly engage the English men-at-arms. The Battle of Halidon Hill ended in a decisive English victory. Thousands of Scottish soldiers were killed, including Archibald Douglas. and several leading noblemen, while English casualties were comparatively light. Henry was present during the campaign. Although his exact role in the battle remains uncertain, he may have fought with the main English army, or he may have been among those assigned to prevent the Scottish garrison of Berwick from attacking the English rear. What is certain is that Henry remained involved in the campaign for he witnessed and sealed the agreement for Berwick's surrender following the battle. The victory at Halidon Hill demonstrated the effectiveness of combining defensive positions, dismounted men-at-arms and powerful longbowmen, tactics that would later bring the English considerable success during the Hundred Years' War by the year 1337. Tensions between England and France had erupted into a conflict that would become known as the Hundred Years War. King Edward III of England claimed the French throne through his mother Isabella of France, challenging the authority of King Philip VI. The dispute was also driven by disagreements over English lands in France, particularly Gascony. For Henry of Grosmont, who was now the Earl of Derby, the outbreak of war presented an opportunity to prove himself upon the battlefields of France. In September of the year 1339, Edward III launched a military campaign into northern France, accompanied by English soldiers and allies from the Low Countries and the Holy Roman Empire. Henry, now approximately 29 years old, was among the leading noblemen who accompanied the king. In September of the year 1339, King Edward III led a large English army and its European allies towards the fortified city of Cambrai, beginning one of the first major military operations of the Hundred Years' War. Although Cambrai belonged to the Holy Roman Empire, its leaders had sided with the French king, Philip. Making it an important target for the English, Henry took part in the campaign as one of Edward's trusted commanders and military advisers. The English army surrounded Cambrai and launched several assaults against its heavily defended walls, but the defenders, supported by French soldiers, successfully resisted their attacks. Although Henry was present at the siege, his exact role in the fighting is not recorded, and there is no reliable evidence that he personally led an assault upon the city. After several weeks of unsuccessful attacks, Edward III learned that Philip was gathering a large French army nearby. With supplies becoming increasingly difficult to maintain and winter approaching, the English king consulted his leading advisers, including Henry. They decided to abandon the siege and march into northern France, hoping to draw Philip into open battle. Although Cambrai remained in enemy hands, the campaign gave Henry further experience in commanding troops, conducting sieges, and advising his king during major military operations. Still only around 29 years old, He was steadily establishing himself as one of Edward's most dependable noblemen. In June of the year 1340, the Hundred Years' War entered a new and dangerous phase, as King Edward prepared to cross the English Channel with a large fleet. Standing in his way was a powerful French fleet gathered near the port of Sluys, off the coast of Flanders in what is now Belgium. Among the English noblemen accompanying the king was Henry of Grosmont. On the 24th of June the English fleet attacked the French ships, many of which had been chained together to form a defensive barrier. The battle quickly became a brutal struggle as English archers showered the enemy with arrows before men-at-arms boarded the French vessels and fought their opponents in fierce hand-to-hand Ships became floating battlefields, with soldiers fighting desperately across the crowded decks. Henry of Grosmont fought alongside Edward III and the English nobility, accompanied by knights from his own household. Contemporary accounts praised his courage during the fighting. After hours of bloody combat, the English achieved a crushing victory. Destroying or capturing many of the French fleet and securing an important advantage at sea. The Battle of Sluys became one of England's greatest early victories of the Hundred Years' War. It weakened French naval power and made it easier for Edward III to transport armies and supplies across the Channel. For Henry, the battle provided another opportunity to demonstrate his courage and loyalty to the king. Adding to his growing reputation as a capable and fearless knight. But Henry's greatest achievements would not come upon the sea. In the years ahead, he would lead armies of his own into France, where his extraordinary military victories would establish him as one of the most successful English commanders of the war. In the summer of the year 1345, Henry returned to France, but this time he was no longer simply a knight serving beneath Edward. The king had appointed him as his lieutenant in Gascony, giving Henry command of an English army and authority to conduct his own military campaign. At approximately 35 years old, Henry was about to face one of the greatest challenges of his career, as the English sought to regain territory and strengthen their position in southwestern France. Henry arrived at Bordeaux in August of the year 1345. Bringing English men-at-arms and longbowmen to reinforce the Gascon nobles who remained loyal to the English crown. At the time, the French forces had been steadily threatening England's remaining possessions in the region. Rather than waste valuable time besieging small castles and towns, Henry decided to take a more aggressive approach. He intended to strike quickly catch the French by surprise and defeat their armies before they could organize a strong defense. His first major target was Bergerac, an important fortified town overlooking the river Dordogne. The town controlled a valuable river crossing and offered an excellent base for military operations throughout the surrounding countryside. Capturing the town would not only weaken French control of the region but also open the way for further English advances. After consulting his commanders and Gascon allies, Henry gathered his forces and prepared to march. In August of the year 1345, Henry led his Anglo-Gascon army, moving rapidly to avoid giving the French time to prepare. Meanwhile a French army had been operating around a nearby castle, As Henry's troops approached, the French were caught unprepared and began withdrawing towards the town, hoping to find safety behind the town's defences. Henry immediately seized the opportunity. Rather than allowing the French to retreat in good order, he ordered his troops to pursue them. The English and Gascon soldiers pressed forward, forcing the enemy towards the narrow bridge that crossed the Dordogne into Bergerac. As the French struggled to escape, their retreat became increasingly chaotic, with men, horses and equipment crowding together at the entrance of the town. The fighting soon developed into a fierce struggle around the bridge and its fortified gateway. English and Gascon archers fired upon the retreating French, While the men-at-arms advanced towards the defences, One of Henry's most experienced captains, Sir Walter Manny, was credited with leading the assault against the fortified entrance. As the French attempted to escape across the bridge, Many became trapped between the advancing English troops and the defenders trying to control access to the town. During the confusion, an extraordinary incident helped the attackers. According to medieval accounts, a frightened horse became trapped beneath the portcullis. Preventing the defenders from lowering the heavy gate and sealing the entrance, the English and their allies exploited the opening. Forcing their way through the defences into Bergerac itself, fighting continued through the streets, but the French were unable to organise an effective resistance and the town eventually fell into Henry's hands. The victory was a remarkable success, numerous French soldiers had been killed or captured, while several important noblemen became prisoners of the English. Large quantities of weapons, horses, supplies and valuables were also seized. As was common in medieval warfare, the captured town was subject to plundering. While wealthy prisoners offered the prospect of enormous payments in ransom, Henry and his followers gained considerable wealth from the victory, adding to the rewards of their military success. Although Henry's exact actions during the hand to hand fighting are not recorded, There is no doubt that he was the commander responsible for the English victory, it was his decision to abandon a slow campaign of sieges, advance rapidly upon the town, and pursue the retreating French that transformed the operation into a decisive success. His leadership demonstrated a willingness to take risks, act quickly, and exploit an enemy's mistakes before they could recover. The capture of Bergerac was one of the most important early English victories in Gascony during the Hundred Years' War. For Henry of Grosmont, Bergerac marked the beginning of his rise to military greatness, his reputation was growing rapidly and the confidence placed in him by Edward had been rewarded with an important victory. Following his successful capture of Bergerac, Henry continued his campaign across southwestern France. Capturing several important towns and fortresses, among those was Auberdosch, a strategically important stronghold near Périgueux, However, his victories had alarmed the French, who were now determined to stop his advance and recover the territory they had lost. In October of the year 1345, a large French army commanded by Louis of Poitiers marched towards Bergerac and placed the castle under siege. The French forces greatly outnumbered the small English garrison, surrounding the stronghold and cutting off its supplies. Unless help arrived. The defenders faced the danger of being overwhelmed or forced to surrender. When Henry learned that Auberdosch was under attack, he immediately gathered his available troops and marched to relieve the castle. At approximately 35 years old, Henry was preparing to face one of the greatest challenges of his military career. His army numbered around 1,200 men, including English and Gascon men-at-arms and longbowmen, while the French forces may have numbered between 7,000 and 10,000. Although the exact figures remain uncertain, Henry was clearly facing a much larger enemy. Knowing that a direct attack against the entire French army would be extremely dangerous, Henry decided to use speed, surprise and the surrounding landscape to his advantage. He approached Auroche by night, travelling along lesser known roads, before concealing his soldiers in woodland overlooking the French camp. There, he waited for reinforcements under the Earl of Pembroke, Lawrence Hastings, who had been summoned to assist But as the hours passed, there was still no sign of Pembroke's men. Henry now faced a difficult decision, he could continue waiting and risk being discovered, or attack immediately with the smaller army already under his command. After consulting his leading knights, Henry chose to fight. It was a bold and dangerous decision, but one that would soon prove extraordinarily successful. On the 21st of October in the year 1345, Henry prepared his men for a surprise attack. His archers moved quietly towards the edge of the woodland, where they could fire directly into the French camp. Meanwhile, his mounted men-at-arms manoeuvred into position, ready to strike once the attack began. The French, unaware that an enemy army had approached so closely, Were caught completely unprepared. At Henry's command, the English and Gascon archers unleashed a devastating storm of arrows upon the French soldiers. The sudden attack caused panic throughout the camp, as men scrambled for their weapons and armour. Before the French commanders could properly organise their forces, Henry's mounted troops charged into the confusion, striking the enemy with tremendous force. Soldiers were cut down, horses scattered, and the carefully organised French siege began to collapse. Despite their superior numbers, the French struggled to respond to the unexpected assault. Some attempted to form defensive lines, while others fled from the fighting. Henry's troops pressed forward, taking advantage of the disorder and preventing the enemy from recovering. What had begun as a surprise attack, was quickly turning into a decisive English victory. At this critical moment, the defenders of Aubroche saw the English banners approaching and realised that help had finally arrived. Led by their commander, Sir Frank Van Halen, their garrison emerged from the castle and attacked the French from another direction. The besieging army found itself threatened on several sides, with Henry's forces advancing from outside the siege lines and the castle's defenders striking from within. Unable to withstand the combined attacks, the French army broke apart. Many soldiers attempted to escape, but large numbers were killed or captured as the English pursued the retreating forces. Louis of Poitiers suffered wounds from which he later died. Numerous French noblemen and knights also fell into English hands, providing Henry and his followers with enormous potential wealth through ransom payments. Henry's personal role in the battle was crucial, he organised the relief expedition, chose the approach through the woodland and made the difficult decision to attack without waiting for reinforcements. Although the surviving accounts do not record every action he performed during the hand to hand fighting, His leadership and tactical judgement were central to the English victory. Henry celebrated his victory by entertaining several of the captured French noblemen at a feast inside the castle. The following day, the Earl of Pembroke finally arrived with his reinforcements, only to discover that the battle had already been won. The story captures the speed with which Henry had acted, and the extraordinary success he had achieved without the additional troops he had expected. For Henry, the triumph was only the beginning. With the French forces in the region severely weakened, he was now free to continue his advance, capturing further towns and fortresses, And expanding English influence across southwestern France. He was an exceptional commander, whose skill, determination and willingness to take risks had earned him a place among the finest soldiers of the Hundred Years War. Henry's successes had now alarmed the French King, Philip VI, who sent his son John, the Duke of Normandy, to lead a powerful army into the region. In April of the year 1346, the French surrounded Aiguillon and began a major siege, determined to recapture the town and destroy English resistance. Henry, now approximately 36 years old, faced an enemy army far larger than the forces available to him, rather than risk his army in a disastrous open battle. Henry withdrew to safer territory and concentrated on keeping the English position in Gascony secure. The defence of Aiguillon was entrusted to experienced commanders, including Sir Walter Manny the Earl of Pembroke and Ralph Stafford. Inside the town, the English and Gascony garrison prepared to resist the French, strengthening their defences and gathering supplies for a long siege. Throughout the following months, the French launched repeated assaults against Aiguillon, attempting to break through its walls and seize control of the river crossings. The defenders resisted stubbornly, using archers, fortified positions and sudden attacks against the besiegers. Meanwhile, Henry supported the defence from outside the town, sending assistance where possible, disrupting French supplies and preventing the enemy from gaining complete control of the surrounding countryside. As the summer continued, the French struggled to capture Aiguillon. Matters became even worse when Edward III landed with an English army in Normandy, threatening the French kingdom from the north. With his father's territories now in danger, the Duke of Normandy came under increasing pressure to abandon the siege and return to confront the new English invasion in August of the year 1346. After several months of unsuccessful fighting, the French finally withdrew. Henry had successfully protected one of England's most important positions in Gascony without risking his smaller army in a major battle. His careful leadership helped frustrate a much larger French force, while the defenders of Aiguillon had demonstrated extraordinary determination. The failure of the siege was another important success for Henry. Henry decided to leave a chevauchée, a type of medieval military campaign, in which an army moved rapidly through enemy territory, capturing towns, destroying supplies and weakening the enemy's ability to continue fighting. Such expeditions were intended to cause economic damage, undermine royal authority, And demonstrate that the enemy could no longer protect its own lands. For Henry, it was also an opportunity to build upon his earlier victories and expand English influence beyond Gascony. In September of the year 1346, Henry gathered an army of approximately 2,000 English and Gascon soldiers and began marching north. His force included mounted men at arms, and other troops who could travel quickly across the French countryside. Rather than becoming trapped in lengthy sieges, Henry intended to keep moving, striking vulnerable towns before their defenders could organise effective resistance. The campaign began with a series of rapid advances through southwestern France. Henry's forces captured towns and fortifications along their route. Often encountering little resistance, some settlements surrendered rather than risk an assault, while others attempted to hold out beyond their walls. Meanwhile, his soldiers raided the surrounding countryside, seizing supplies and valuables and destroying property. News of the English advance spread quickly. Causing fear among the local population and forcing French commanders to reconsider how they could defend the region. One of Henry's most important successes came at Saint-Jean de Angely, a valuable fortified town that surrendered to his forces. Its capture strengthened the English position and provided an important base for further operations. However, not every attack succeeded. Some strongly defended positions resisted the English advance, demonstrating that even Henry's experienced troops could not easily overcome well-prepared fortifications. Despite these setbacks, Henry continued pressing north into the province of Poitou, where he set his sights upon the wealthy city of Poitiers. The city was an important regional centre, protected by walls and regarded as a valuable possession of the French crown. Capturing it would not only provide enormous wealth through plunder, but also deliver a humiliating blow to French authority. In early October of the year 1346, Henry arrived outside Poitiers and demanded that the city When the defenders refused, he prepared his army for an assault. His men attacked the fortifications and eventually succeeded in breaking into the city. Once inside, the English and Gascon soldiers overwhelmed the defenders, and Poitiers fell into Henry's hands. The capture of the city was one of the most dramatic successes of the campaign. Poitiers was subject to widespread looting, with soldiers seizing money, valuable possessions, and goods that could be carried away. Medieval accounts also describe considerable bloodshed during the assault, including the killing of civilians. Although the victory brought Henry enormous prestige and considerable wealth, It also demonstrated the brutal consequences of the chevauchée for those caught in its path. Henry remained at Poitiers for several days, allowing his men to rest and gather their spoils, however he had no intention of permanently occupying the city. His army was too small to defend such a large settlement deep within French territory, and remaining there would risk attracting a powerful enemy force. Instead. Henry ordered his troops to withdraw carrying their captured wealth back towards the safety of English controlled Gascony as the army marched south. Henry continued attacking vulnerable positions and strengthening English influence in the region. By the end of October he had returned to Bordeaux bringing his seven week expedition to a successful conclusion. His forces had travelled deep into French territory, captured numerous towns and fortresses, and disrupted French control across a wide area. The campaign was another remarkable achievement for Henry. At a time when Edward III was winning his famous victory at Crecy in northern France, Henry had begun conducting a separate and highly successful offensive in the southwest. Together, These campaigns placed enormous pressure upon the French kingdom and demonstrated the growing effectiveness of England's military leadership. In September of the year 1346, following the famous victory at the Battle of Crecy, King Edward III marched his army towards the fortified port of Calais on the north coast of France. The town was one of the most important ports in the region, providing access to the English Channel and a valuable gateway into northern France. Edward understood that capturing Calais would allow England to transport soldiers and supplies across the channel more easily, giving him a permanent base for future military campaigns. However Calais was heavily defended, surrounded by strong walls, towers and water filled ditches. Its commander, Jean de Vienne, was determined to resist the English and hold the town for King Philip of France. Rather than risk a costly assault against the fortifications, Edward decided to surround Calais and starve its defenders into submission. What followed was one of the longest and most important sieges of the early Hundred Years' War. While Edward's army maintained the siege, Henry was completing his own successful campaign in southwestern France. His victories had brought him considerable fame, but the king now required his assistance in the north. In the spring of the year 1347, Henry was summoned to join the the English forces at Calais. Bringing fresh troops and supplies to strengthen the besieging army, Henry now approximately 37 years old arrived during the final stages of the siege. He brought a substantial force of men-at-arms and archers, whose arrival strengthened the English position at a critical moment. By this time, the defenders of Calais had endured months of hardship, while food shortages and the English blockade made their situation increasingly desperate. During the summer of the year 1347, Henry helped maintain English control over the surrounding countryside. On the 18th of July, he led a mounted raiding expedition from the English siege camp, Demonstrating that he remained an active commander even while serving under Edward III. Meanwhile, King Philip was gathering a large army in an attempt to rescue Calais. By late July, the French forces approached the English positions, hoping to break through the siege and deliver supplies to the starving defenders. However, Edward had carefully He had carefully prepared his army. Protecting the approaches to his camp with fortified positions and making use of the difficult marshland surrounding Calais. Henry was entrusted with defending the important bridge of Neulay, south-west of the town. This crossing was one of the main routes by which the French could approach the English siege lines. Holding it was essential to preventing Philip's army from reaching Calais. Henry positioned his men to guard the crossing. Ensuring that the French could not easily advance towards the English camp without facing strong resistance, for several days, the opposing armies remained near one another, but Philip was unwilling to launch a dangerous attack against the well-defended English positions. Attempts were made to negotiate a settlement and Henry was among the English representatives involved in the discussions with two cardinals who hoped to arrange peace. However the negotiations achieved little and the French king eventually withdrew without attempting to break the siege. The failure of the relief expedition sealed the fate of Calais. With no hope of further assistance, and food supplies nearly exhausted, the defenders were finally forced to surrender. On the 3rd of August of the year 1347, after almost 11 months of resistance, Calais passed into English hands. The victory was a major achievement for Edward, and one of the most important English successes of the Hundred Years War Calais would remain under English control for more than two centuries, becoming a valuable military and trading centre, and a permanent base for English operations on the continent. By the year 1348, Henry of Grosmont had become one of the most respected warriors in England. His victories in France had earned him enormous fame, wealth and the admiration of the King. Now approximately 38 years old, Henry was about to receive one of the greatest honours of his life and the king prepared to establish a new prestigious order of knighthood. During the middle ages the ideals of chivalry played an important role in the lives of knights and noblemen. Courage in battle, loyalty to one's king, religious devotion, and the pursuit of honour were considered essential qualities of a great warrior. Edward III was particularly fascinated by the legendary stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and he dreamed of creating a similar brotherhood of warriors, bringing together the finest knights of his kingdom. In the year 1344, Edward had announced plans to establish a new round table at Windsor Castle, inspired by the legendary court of King Arthur. However, the project was eventually abandoned. But in the year 1348, following England's great victories on the continent, the King established something even more enduring, the Order of the Garter. This exclusive brotherhood was intended to celebrate military achievement, strengthen loyalty to the crown, and honour the ideals of medieval chivalry. The order became closely associated with St. George, the patron saint of England, and St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle became its spiritual home. Its members wore a distinctive blue garter, bearing the French motto Meaning roughly, shame on him who thinks evil of it. According to a famous legend, the order began when a noblewoman, traditionally identified as the Countess of Salisbury, accidentally dropped her garter during a royal gathering. When others began laughing, Edward supposedly picked it up and declared the words that became the Order's motto. However, historians generally regard this as a later romantic legend, rather than the true explanation for its founding. Among the distinguished warriors selected for the Order was Henry of Grosmont, who became one of its founding knights. He was assigned the second Knight's stall, immediately after Edward the Black Prince. Reflecting his exceptional standing among the King's companions, Henry joined a select group of noblemen and experienced soldiers who had distinguished themselves through their service to the English crown. For Henry, membership in the Order of the Garter represented far more than another title, it was recognition of his military achievements. His loyalty to Edward III and his reputation as one of England's finest knights. His place within this prestigious brotherhood confirmed his position at the very heart of the English court. Yet even greater honours awaited him. Only three years later Edward would elevate Henry to the rank of the Duke of Lancaster. Placing him among the highest and most powerful noblemen in the entire kingdom, Henry's next great challenge would come not upon the battlefield, but at sea. During a dangerous naval confrontation known as the Battle of Winchelsea, at the time, English merchant ships travelling between England and the European mainland were being attacked by vessels from the kingdom of Castile in present-day Spain. Determined to protect English trade and punish these attacks, King Edward assembled a powerful fleet and prepared to intercept the Castilian ships as they sailed through the English Channel. Among the noblemen accompanying the King was Henry of Grosmont and Edward's eldest son the Black Prince. On the 29th of August in the year 1350, the two fleets met off the coast of Winchelsea You'll see in southern England, The battle quickly became a brutal struggle as English ships collided with larger Castilian vessels. Archers fired from the decks, while knights and men-at-arms fought desperately to board enemy ships. Unlike battles on land, there was little opportunity to retreat, and those thrown into the sea faced almost certain death. During the fighting, the Black Prince's ship became locked in combat with a powerful Castilian vessel. The English ship was badly damaged and began taking on water, placing the prince and his companions in terrible danger. Among those aboard was his younger brother John of Gaunt, who was then only 10 years old. At this critical moment, Henry of Grosmont came to their rescue. According to a medieval chronicler, Henry brought his own ship alongside the Castilian vessel, and attacked it from the opposite side. His intervention helped overwhelm the enemy, and allowed the Black Prince and his companions to escape their sinking ship. Henry's timely arrival had potentially saved the lives of two of the sons of King Edward. The fighting continued until evening when the English finally emerged victorious, capturing several enemy vessels and forcing the remaining Castilian ships to withdraw. Although the battle was costly, it demonstrated England's determination to defend its shipping and challenge its enemies at sea. In the year 1351, Henry turned his attention away from the battlefields of France towards the distant lands of northeastern Europe. As a deeply religious man and devoted knight, Henry wished to participate in the Northern Crusades, a series of military campaigns fought by Christian forces against the remaining pagan peoples of the Baltic region. For generations, the Teutonic Knights, a powerful Christian military order, had been fighting to expand their influence across Prussia and Lithuania. These campaigns attracted noblemen from across Europe, who travelled east seeking religious honour, military glory, and the opportunity to demonstrate their courage in battle. Henry joined this tradition, setting Getting out with a company of English knights and followers to take part in the fighting, However, his journey was far from successful. While travelling through Germany, Henry's company was attacked and he was forced to pay substantial ransom. When he eventually reached Prussia, he discovered that a truce had already been arranged between the opposing forces, leaving little opportunity for the crusading expedition he had intended to undertake. Although he may have participated in further military activity, there is no clear evidence that he fought in a major battle during the expedition. The journey also led to an unusual dispute with Otto, Duke of Brunswick, whom Henry accused of involvement in an attempt to capture him. Their quarrel nearly resulted in a formal duel in France, but the confrontation was prevented through the intervention of King John II. Despite the disappointment of his crusading ambitions, the expedition demonstrated another important aspect of Henry's character. He was not simply a soldier fighting for England, but a medieval knight whose religious devotion and desire for chivalric honour carried him far beyond the familiar battlefields of the Hundred Years War. By the beginning of the year 1361, Henry of Grosmont had achieved almost everything a medieval nobleman could hope for, from his early days as a young knight, fighting in Scotland, to his remarkable victories during the Hundred Years' War. He had risen to become one of England's wealthiest and most respected men, yet despite his military career, Henry was also remembered for his generosity, religious devotion, and the honourable way he conducted himself. Henry married Isabella of Beaumont, a noblewoman from another powerful English family and together they had two daughters, Maude and Blanche. With no surviving sons to inherit his titles, his daughters would eventually become the heirs to his vast estates. Blanche married John of Gaunt, one of the sons of Edward III, a union that would have enormous consequences for the future of the English royal family. Although Henry spent much of his life surrounded by warfare, he was also an intelligent and deeply thoughtful man. In the year 1354, he wrote the Book of Holy Medicines, an unusual religious work in which he reflected upon his sins, personal weaknesses and desire for spiritual forgiveness. The book provides a rare glimpse into the private thoughts of a medieval warrior. Revealing a man who, despite his victories and great wealth, remained concerned about his relationship with God. Henry was widely admired for his courage, courtesy and generosity. His military successes had earned him the respect of his fellow knights, while his loyalty and judgement made him one of Edward III's most trusted advisers. He represented the medieval ideal of chivalry, combining the qualities of a skilled warrior with those of a powerful lord, a diplomat, and a devoted Christian. However, in March of the year 1361, Henry's remarkable life came to an end, England was suffering another outbreak of plague, and Henry is generally believed to have fallen victim to the disease. He died at Leicester on the 23rd of March, aged approximately 51. His death was a significant loss to Edward and the English Kingdom. Henry had served the crown for more than three decades, helping to secure some of England's greatest victories during the early Hundred Years War. His passing also marked the end of the first creation of the Duchy of Lancaster, although his family's influence was far from over. Following Henry's death, his immense inheritance passed to his daughters. When Maud died childless in the year 1362, the Lancastrian estates came together under Blanche and her husband John of Gaunt, who was created the Duke of Lancaster. Their son, Henry Bolingbroke, would eventually overthrow Richard II and become King Henry IV in the year 1399, establishing the Lancastrian line of English kings. In this way, Henry of Grosmont's legacy would become closely connected to the future of the English monarchy. Henry is far less remembered than Edward III or the Black Prince. Despite playing an important role in England's early successes against France, Henry had been a soldier, a statesman, a writer and one of the greatest knights of his generation. His life reflected both the glory and the brutality of medieval warfare, but also the ideals of loyalty, faith and honour that defined the age of chivalry. He was born into royalty, earned his reputation upon the battlefield, and left behind a legacy that would one day help shape the English throne. This was Henry of Grosmont, the Duke of Lancaster, and one of the forgotten heroes of the 100 Years War.