# The Barony of Brattleby and its Ancient Connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 21 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the Barony’s distinguished connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, through the founding membership of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, reaffirming a nine-century commitment to chivalric service and duty.
## The Occasion
In a period marked by both continuity and change, the great institutions of the realm serve as vital touchstones to a shared past. The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this moment to illuminate one of the most significant chapters in its nine-hundred-year history: the Barony’s link to the foundation of England’s highest order of chivalry in 1348.
This formal reflection serves not merely as a historical recollection, but as a reaffirmation of the principles of honour, loyalty, and service that have animated the Barony for centuries. It connects the martial valour of the past with the civic and philanthropic responsibilities of the present day, a duty embodied by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
Established by King Edward III in 1348, The Most Noble Order of the Garter was conceived in the afterglow of great English victories in France, notably the Battle of Crécy. The King sought to create an exclusive fellowship, limited to himself and just twenty-five knights, that would bind the kingdom's most formidable leaders to the Crown through a shared code of honour and spiritual devotion. This new order was to be the *sine qua non* of English knighthood.
Among this select company was Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster. A cousin to the King and a renowned commander and diplomat, his inclusion as a Founder Knight was a testament to his stature. As the holder of the Barony of Brattleby, his investiture brought this ancient Lincolnshire holding into the orbit of the Crown’s most intimate and prestigious circle.
The Barony of Brattleby had long been held by figures of national importance, from Colswein of Lincoln, its first holder after the Norman Conquest, to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders. Henry of Grosmont’s Garter appointment continued this tradition of service, a legacy later passed to his son-in-law and successor as 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The original fellowship of the Garter represented the pinnacle of fourteenth-century English chivalry. As a Founder Knight, the 10th Baron of Brattleby stood alongside figures of legendary repute, binding the Barony's name to theirs in perpetuity.
The initial Chapter of Companions included, *inter alia*: - His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince, the King’s eldest son and a celebrated military leader. - The Earl of Warwick, a key commander at both Crécy and Poitiers. - Sir John Chandos, a close friend of the Black Prince and widely considered a paragon of chivalric virtue. - Sir Walter Manny, a Hainaulter whose daring exploits on the battlefield made him a celebrated figure across Europe.
Their collective investiture at St George's Chapel, Windsor, created a spiritual and military brotherhood whose influence would shape the nation for centuries to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial traditions of the Order of the Garter remain largely unchanged since their inception. The annual Garter Day service at Windsor Castle is a spectacle of solemn pageantry, governed by an exacting protocol that underscores its historic gravity.
Companions of the Order process wearing deep blue velvet mantles, lined with white taffeta, and black velvet hats adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. The central emblem is the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap edged in gold, bearing the motto in gold lettering—which is worn by Knights on the left calf and by Ladies on the left arm.
The full insignia also includes the Garter Star, an eight-pointed silver badge enclosing the red cross of St George, and the Collar, from which hangs the ‘Great George’—a gold and enamel figure of St George slaying the dragon. This ancient regalia serves as a powerful visual link to the Order’s medieval origins and to predecessors like the 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order is rich with meaning. Its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), is said to have originated when King Edward III retrieved a dropped garter belonging to the Countess of Salisbury at a court ball, deflecting courtiers’ sniggers with this sharp rebuke. The phrase transformed a potential embarrassment into a mark of high honour.
This motto champions the defence of honour against slander and misinterpretation. It finds a powerful counterpart in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Where the Garter’s motto acts as a shield, the Brattleby motto serves as a sword: an active declaration of the virtues one must possess. Fortitude provides the inner strength, whilst honour dictates one's outward conduct.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Order of the Garter was founded on martial and sovereign service, its spirit of duty is today reflected in civic and philanthropic engagement. The obligations of nobility, once fulfilled on the battlefield, are now met through service to the community and support for the vulnerable.
This modern interpretation of chivalry is central to the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is a direct expression of this commitment. Proceeds from the event support the work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing mental health care and therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects the chivalric duty to protect the defenceless.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The Garter represents a bond of service that transcends centuries. For the 10th Baron, it was a profound duty to the Sovereign; for us today, that same spirit animates our public and philanthropic work. It is a legacy of responsibility we are proud to continue.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “Henry of Grosmont was a pre-eminent diplomat as well as a soldier. His life exemplifies how one can conquer great challenges with integrity and skill. In this way, he embodied the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere*—that to truly live is to overcome adversity with honour. That remains our standard today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of the Garter is not a relic of the past but a living standard for the future. The principles of loyalty, courage, and service that earned the 10th Baron of Brattleby his place as a Founder Knight continue to guide The Noble House of Brattleby.
This enduring commitment is expressed through the House’s various initiatives, from its charitable work to its establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette and protocol academy promotes the modern application of traditional virtues—poise, discipline, and respect—thereby cultivating the personal honour that is the bedrock of chivalry. Through these actions, the House ensures that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to resonate and find purpose in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage through a contemporary mission of service. This mission is realised through cultural patronage, educational initiatives, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations that support the mental and emotional well-being of vulnerable children, a commitment enacted through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House seeks to be a model of how ancient titles can serve the public good, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details its 56 appendant lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and published by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held under Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com