Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 4th Earl of Leicester and Lancaster,
KG (c. 1310 – 23 March 1361), also Earl of Derby, was a member of the English nobility in the 14th century, and a prominent English
diplomat,
politician, and
soldier. The son and heir of
Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster, and
Maud Chaworth, he became one of
Edward III's most trusted captains in the early phases of the
Hundred Years' War and distinguished himself with victory in the
Battle of Auberoche. He was a founding member and the second Knight of the
Order of the Garter in 1348, and in 1351 was created duke. Grosmont was also the author of the book
Livre de seyntz medicines, a highly personal devotional treatise. He is remembered as one of the founders and early patrons of
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, which was established by two of the guilds of the town in 1352.