# The Enduring Legacy of Chivalry: The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on the Investiture of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historical significance of Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron. His 1348 investiture into the Order of the Garter restored the Barony’s prestige and affirmed its enduring commitment to chivalric ideals.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby today considers an important anniversary in its long history: the elevation of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, as a founding knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. This reflection, prompted by the House’s ongoing curation of its nine-century archive, serves as a moment to honour a predecessor whose life exemplified the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
The statement is issued in the historic setting of the Barony, a place first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. It is a landscape that would have been familiar to Henry of Grosmont himself. Surrounded by the quiet dignity of the Lincolnshire countryside, the House reaffirms its commitment to stewarding a legacy defined by service, loyalty, and honour.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has weathered considerable political storms throughout its existence. Before Henry of Grosmont’s tenure, the title had been held by formidable figures including the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders in the 13th century.
Henry inherited the Barony at a time when its standing required careful restoration following a period of political turbulence. His close kinship with His Majesty King Edward III—they were second cousins—and his own distinguished military career made him a natural candidate for the King’s new chivalric enterprise. His elevation to founding Knight of the Garter in 1348, alongside his creation as the 1st Duke of Lancaster, marked a definitive return to royal favour and national prominence for the Barony. This renewal paved the way for his successor as Baron, the formidable John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In accepting this singular honour, Henry of Grosmont, then Earl of Lancaster and Derby, joined the most exalted company in the realm. The new order was limited to the Sovereign and twenty-five founding knights, intended to be a spiritual and military brotherhood bound to the person of the King.
This distinguished fellowship included, *inter alia*, His Majesty King Edward III, Sovereign of the Order; His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; the Earl of Warwick; and Sir John Chandos. To be counted among such men was the highest affirmation of one’s valour, loyalty, and standing within the kingdom. It placed the 10th Baron of Brattleby at the very heart of English chivalry and power.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture of a Knight of the Garter was, and remains, a ceremony of profound symbolism. For the founding knights in 1348, the proceedings centred upon St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, which was designated the spiritual home of the Order. Each knight was allotted a stall in the chapel choir, above which his heraldic crest, helmet, and sword were placed.
The ceremony required the new knight to swear an oath of loyalty and to be robed in the Order’s magnificent vestments. Central to these is the garter itself, a dark-blue velvet strap bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it') in gold lettering. This was buckled onto the left leg, a symbol of unity and fidelity. The investiture affirmed the Barony’s alignment with the Crown, a bond enacted through precise and solemn ritual.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the life of the 10th Baron. By his military fortitude on the continent and the honour he brought the Barony through his unwavering loyalty, Henry of Grosmont revitalised his ancestral lineage. His actions were a living embodiment of the ideals the House continues to champion today.
His personal coat of arms—the royal arms of England differenced with a label of three points of France—visually declared his royal blood and proximity to the throne. The Garter, bestowed by the Sovereign, was the ultimate symbol of this trust. It transformed the Barony from a mere landed title into a recognised pillar of Edward III’s chivalric vision for England, a role it would retain under the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Order of the Garter was founded as a chivalric and military institution, its ethos of service and protection of the realm finds a modern parallel in the philanthropic duties undertaken by noble houses today. The chivalric code, at its core, is a call to defend the vulnerable and uphold justice.
This principle is the *sine qua non* of The Noble House of Brattleby’s charitable endeavours. The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, directs all its proceeds to its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, a mission that reflects the most fundamental duty of the strong to protect the weak.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical antecedent, the current holders of the title offered their perspectives.
> Henry of Grosmont’s life reminds us that honour is not merely inherited; it must be diligently earned and defended in every generation. His example demonstrates a profound commitment to Crown and country, a principle we continue to uphold *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> The story of the 10th Baron is a lesson in strategic leadership and the power of loyalty. He navigated a complex political landscape to secure not only his own position but the future of the Barony for centuries. It is a legacy of resilience, expressed in the motto of the Lordship, *Vincere Est Vivere*, that we greatly admire. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of Henry of Grosmont continues to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The principles of honour, duty, and cultural stewardship that defined his era are pursued with renewed vigour in the 21st century.
The House’s commitment is expressed not only through its philanthropy but also through its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, with its seat in Bucharest, is dedicated to advancing the codes of conduct and social grace that underpin a civilised society. In this, the House seeks to translate the historical language of chivalry into a modern commitment to social responsibility, ensuring that the legacy of its predecessors continues to serve the common good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to preserving its unique nine-hundred-year history while embracing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and cultural education. Blending its ancient English roots with a modern Continental perspective, the House actively supports charitable causes, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet, and promotes social excellence through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. It is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. The rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its lands were held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com