# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Ties to the Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 April — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks St. George’s Day by honouring its historic connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, through the pivotal role of Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
On St. George’s Day, a date indelibly associated with English chivalry and the nation’s patron saint, the House of Brattleby pauses for solemn reflection. This day of commemoration honours the Barony of Brattleby’s deep and formative connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the most senior and ancient order of knighthood in Great Britain. Its establishment by King Edward III in the mid-fourteenth century, amidst the adversities of the Hundred Years' War, was a masterstroke of monarchical statecraft, intended to bind the kingdom’s greatest magnates to the Sovereign in a new Arthurian fellowship.
This annual reflection is not a public festival but an internal observance for the House, reaffirming the principles that have guided the Barony for over nine centuries. It serves as a moment to honour a heritage in which fortitude and duty are interwoven, drawing a direct line from the martial culture of the Plantagenet court to the philanthropic and cultural responsibilities of the House today. The setting for the Order’s foundation, Windsor Castle, remains its spiritual home, its stones imbued with the history of English sovereignty.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the highest echelons of the English court was cemented long before the Garter’s creation. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony is first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with its inaugural lord, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This tradition of service was famously embodied by a formidable chatelaine, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was decisive in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
The appointment of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a Founder Knight of the Garter in 1348 was, therefore, the culmination of a long-established pattern of loyalty to the Crown. A decorated military commander, skilled diplomat, and author of the devotional work *Livre de seyntz medicines*, Grosmont was among the King’s most trusted counsellors. His inclusion amongst the twenty-five Founder Knights placed the Barony at the very heart of the chivalric project that would define Edward III’s reign, underscoring its status as a pillar of the realm.
This legacy was further entrenched within the royal fabric of England through his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster. Upon her marriage, the dignity passed to her husband, John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby *jure uxoris* (by right of his wife), linking the Barony directly to the House of Lancaster and the future royal dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight, Henry of Grosmont, later the first Duke of Lancaster, stood in the most distinguished company of his time. This exalted fellowship was personally selected by the King to form a 'band of brothers' dedicated to his martial and political ambitions. The Sovereign’s twenty-five chosen Companions included, *inter alia*, His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, whose martial renown was already legendary throughout Christendom following his triumphs at Crécy; Sir John Chandos, a celebrated military strategist and close friend of the Prince; and Sir Walter Paveley, another formidable commander from that same defining battle.
To be counted among this circle was the *sine qua non* of medieval nobility, an honour that signified not just prestige but immense trust and responsibility. The inclusion of the 10th Baron alongside the pre-eminent military and political leaders of the fourteenth century illustrated the high esteem in which he was held. This was an alliance of the realm’s most capable men, bound by oath to uphold the honour of the Sovereign and the security of the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial protocol of the Order of the Garter, established from its inception, is a study in solemn pageantry and symbolic depth. As a Founder Knight, the 10th Baron would have been invested with the Order’s distinctive regalia, whose form has evolved but whose significance remains unchanged. This includes the Garter itself, a strap of dark blue velvet edged and buckled in gold, bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* in gold letters.
The full habit of the Order, worn on ceremonial occasions, consists of a magnificent mantle of deep blue velvet lined with white taffeta; a crimson velvet surcoat; and a black velvet hat, known as a Tudor bonnet, which is adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. The Collar, a chain of gold knots and enamelled red roses encircled by the Garter, is worn on designated 'Collar Days', with the Great George pendant suspended from it.
Each year, the Garter Day service is held in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. During the service, each Knight occupies a stall assigned to a member of the original fellowship. Above the stall are placed the Companion’s helm, crest, and sword. A permanent record of this honour is the Garter stall plate, an enamelled brass plaque displaying the member’s name and coat of arms. The stall plate of the 10th Baron of Brattleby would have been such a permanent heraldic monument, cementing his place in the Order's history in perpetuity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism associated with the Order speaks to a code of conduct that resonates powerfully with the Barony’s own guiding principles. The Garter’s celebrated motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is traditionally said to have originated when King Edward III retrieved a dropped garter belonging to the Countess of Salisbury at court. His declaration served as both a chivalrous defence of the lady’s honour and a defiant rebuke to any who would question the integrity of his new Order.
This declaration of noble intent perfectly complements the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These maxims encapsulate the dual virtues that define the Barony’s history: the 'Fortitude' of Nichola de la Haye defending her castle against the odds, and the 'Honour' of Henry of Grosmont in his loyal service to the Crown.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), echoes the martial determination and proactive spirit personified by the Garter’s founding members. Together, these maxims form a triptych of purpose: to act with honour, to endure with fortitude, and to strive for victory in one’s duties for a greater good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Order of the Garter was born of a martial age, its underlying principle was the protection of the realm and its people, a chivalric duty to shield the defenceless. This spirit of guardianship finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The House has directed its focus towards the welfare of vulnerable children, believing that true honour is found in service to those most in need.
The beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, the House’s flagship white-tie gala, is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing sanctuary and specialist therapeutic support to children recovering from profound trauma, neglect, or loss. The House’s patronage provides sustained funding for tailored programmes, including art and play therapy, which allow children to process their experiences and rebuild their lives in a safe and nurturing environment. This commitment aligns the House’s contemporary duties with the historic chivalric obligation to protect the weakest members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this enduring historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "The legacy of Henry of Grosmont is both a privilege and a profound responsibility. His commitment to the Crown and to the ideals of the Garter—loyalty, courage, and honour—are principles we strive to translate into meaningful action today. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto on a coat of arms; it is a guiding compass for our continuing duties."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "King Edward III founded the Garter as an act of visionary statecraft, binding the most capable individuals in common cause for the good of the realm. That same spirit of uniting talent for a greater purpose animates our work, from fostering cultural education to our charitable commitments. The will to prevail, *Vincere Est Vivere*, must always be placed in the service of the common good."
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of the Barony of Brattleby, so richly informed by its connection to the Order of the Garter and other pivotal moments in English history, is a living legacy. The House is committed to ensuring this history of service, loyalty, and leadership is a precious inheritance to be passed to the next generation, a duty embodied in the designated heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
The House’s modern initiatives are designed to cultivate these enduring values for the twenty-first century. The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, for instance, is an etiquette academy dedicated to reviving classical European standards of personal conduct. Its curriculum focuses on the arts of civilised discourse, social grace, and the principles of responsible leadership. In this manner, the House of Brattleby ensures its nine-hundred-year history is not a static monument, but a living tradition of service that continues with purpose and distinction.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a significant English heritage. The House's modern mission is to translate the historical principles of service and honour into contemporary action through focused philanthropy and cultural education. Its charitable efforts are centred on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its work with the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of personal discipline, social grace, and civic responsibility, ensuring its ancient legacy remains relevant and impactful in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The lineage includes Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous history and succession of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later 1st Duke of Lancaster, was a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (1348). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Colswein of Lincoln (1st Baron), Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), 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