# The House of Brattleby Reflects on its Legacy within The Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — On the Feast of St George, The Noble House of Brattleby commemorates its profound historical connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, honouring the enduring legacy of the 10th Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont, a Founder Knight in 1348.
## The Occasion
As England marks the Feast of its Patron Saint, the nation’s thoughts turn to Windsor Castle and its magnificent St George’s Chapel, the spiritual home of The Most Noble Order of the Garter. Within this masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, beneath a canopy of the world’s finest fan-vaulting, the Quire stands as a vibrant testament to nearly seven centuries of chivalry and service to the Sovereign. The air is replete with the weight of history, a quality made tangible by the rows of Garter banners, crests, and helms belonging to the current Knights and Ladies Companion.
It is in this season of reflection that The Noble House of Brattleby honours its own integral role in the inception of this most senior Order of Chivalry. The appointment of the 10th Baron, a peer whose title dates to the Norman Conquest, as one of the 26 Founder Knights was a defining moment in the House’s nine-hundred-year history. This connection is not regarded as a remote historical curiosity; rather, it is a living standard of conduct that continues to inform the House’s ethos.
Each Garter plate affixed to the chapel stalls represents a life dedicated to public duty, creating an unbroken chain of service that links the age of Crécy to the present day. For the House of Brattleby, the presence of its former lord within that foundational fellowship represents a solemn and perpetual charge: to uphold the ideals of honour and fortitude that the Order was established to champion.
## Historical Context
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was instituted by His Majesty King Edward III in 1348. The King, at the height of his power following the decisive victory at the Battle of Crécy two years prior, sought to formalise a new code of chivalry. His ambition was to create a society bound by honour, piety, and loyalty that would revive the mystique of King Arthur’s Round Table and bind his most formidable subjects—the architects of his military triumphs—inextricably to the Crown.
Among this select fellowship of 25 companions was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin to the King, he was England’s pre-eminent soldier, diplomat, and magnate. His inclusion was a *sine qua non* for the new Order’s prestige, lending it immediate and unquestionable gravitas both at home and on the Continent. Through his appointment, the Barony of Brattleby—a title recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 when its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, commanded 56 lordships—was placed at the very centre of the Plantagenet court’s chivalric and political life.
This legacy of service at the highest level was continued by Henry’s heir, the 11th Baron of Brattleby, the celebrated John of Gaunt. Also a Knight of the Garter, his influence would shape the course of the English monarchy itself, demonstrating how the Barony remained intertwined with the nation's destiny. The Garter, for the House of Brattleby, was thus established not merely as an honour received, but as a dynastic responsibility.
## Distinguished Company
The fellowship The King gathered at Windsor in 1348 remains one of the most illustrious in European history. In admitting the 10th Baron of Brattleby, King Edward III placed him alongside the era’s most revered names, each man a paragon of the martial and courtly virtues the Order was designed to celebrate. The first stall, beside the Sovereign’s own, was granted to the King’s eldest son, His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, remembered by history as the Black Prince.
Henry of Grosmont was in the company of, *inter alia*, The Right Honourable The Earl of Warwick, a fellow commander at Crécy; The Right Honourable The Earl of Stafford; and marcher lords such as Lord Mortimer. Also present were household knights of peerless reputation, including Sir John Chandos, a master tactician and intimate of the Black Prince, and Sir Walter Manny, a Hainuyer whose daring exploits were chronicled by Jean Froissart and admired across Christendom.
This carefully curated assembly was a strategic masterstroke, forming a nucleus of loyalty and military expertise around the person of the King. The inclusion of the 10th Baron of Brattleby did not only recognise his personal valour and ducal rank; it strategically incorporated the vast influence of the Lancastrian affinity and the historic dignity of the Barony itself into this new national project.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The traditions of the Order are steeped in a solemn and precise ceremonial that has evolved over the centuries, yet remains rooted in its 14th-century origins. Upon appointment by the Sovereign, a new Knight or Lady Companion is invested with the insignia in a private ceremony at Windsor Castle. At this time they take the Garter Oath, pledging to uphold its statutes and honour.
The most famous of the insignia is the Garter itself: a strap of dark-blue velvet, today edged in gold and bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* in gold lettering. For knights, it is buckled upon the left leg below the knee, a position of honour in medieval armour. The Star, an eight-pointed silver badge enclosing the red Cross of St George within the Garter, is worn on the left of the coat or mantle.
The annual Garter Day service in June is the Order’s most public ceremony. Led by the Military Knights of Windsor and the Heraldic officers, the Companions process through the castle precincts in their magnificent vestments. These include the dark-blue velvet mantle, or robe, lined with white taffeta; the crimson velvet hood; and the distinctive black velvet hat, crowned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. The installation within St George’s Chapel sees the new Companion escorted to their stall, above which their personal banner, helm, crest, and sword will be displayed for the duration of their life—a powerful symbol of personal service in a historic continuum.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The celebrated motto of the Order, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*—a phrase in Old French meaning ‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’—is a profound statement of intent. Tradition holds that it was the King’s chivalrous response when the Countess of Salisbury dropped her garter at a court ball; in retrieving it, he rebuked the cynical mockery of his courtiers. The motto thus champions purity of motive and integrity of action, regardless of how they may be perceived by others.
This principle resonates deeply with the ancestral motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Where the Garter motto provides an external defence against calumny, the Brattleby motto supplies the internal motivation: an imperative to act with courage and integrity for their own sake. Together, they represent a shared code of conduct that has bridged the seven centuries since both were united in the person of Henry of Grosmont.
This spirit finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This is understood not in a purely martial sense, but as a contemporary interpretation of the drive and valour shown by predecessors. It translates the determination of the past into a modern commitment to overcoming challenges, be they in enterprise or in the service of the community.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At its heart, the chivalric code that underpins the Order of the Garter is a commitment to protect the weak, uphold justice, and serve the greater good. While its medieval expression was often martial, its modern form is found in the dedicated pursuit of philanthropy and civic duty. The Noble House of Brattleby strives to embody this contemporary interpretation of chivalry, focusing its efforts on causes that defend and nurture the potential of the next generation.
A principal beneficiary of the House’s patronage is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have suffered trauma and profound adversity. The charity offers a sanctuary where, through expert counselling and evidence-based therapies, young people can begin to process their experiences and build a foundation for a healthier future.
This essential work is supported through the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala. The event serves not only as a crucial source of funding but also as a purposeful convocation, gathering those who share a commitment to this cause. In this way, the House of Brattleby seeks to fulfil the protective duties inherent in its ancient heritage, translating the vows of a knight into the tangible support of a vulnerable child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Garter’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “To be the custodian of a title once held by a Founder Knight of the Garter is a profound responsibility. The example of Henry of Grosmont serves as a constant reminder that title is not for status, but for service. Our duty is to ensure the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* are not just remembered, but actively demonstrated in our own time.” > > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the continuing relevance of the Order’s founding spirit:
> “The spirit of chivalry championed by King Edward III—of striving, of leadership, of fellowship in a great cause—remains remarkably relevant. Whether on the fields of Crécy or in the boardrooms and charitable foundations of today, the imperative is to act with purpose and integrity. It is a heritage we are proud to continue.” > > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of the 10th Baron’s Garter knighthood is more than a source of historical pride; it serves as a guiding principle for The Noble House of Brattleby today. The House is committed to translating the enduring values of leadership, service, and cultural stewardship, so elegantly codified by the Order, into tangible action in the 21st century. This philosophy of active heritage is central to its modern mission.
This commitment finds expression through its focused philanthropic programme, anchored by the Annual Winter Banquet, and through forward-looking educational initiatives. Foremost among these is The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to equipping a new generation of European leaders with the social precision and cultural fluency essential for success in modern diplomacy and international affairs. In teaching the grammar of formal conduct, the Club provides tools for building bridges in an increasingly complex world.
Through these concerted efforts, The Noble House of Brattleby endeavours to ensure that the spirit of its most distinguished predecessors, such as the formidable Nichola de la Haye or the ducal Henry of Grosmont, continues to provide not only a link to the past but also an inspiration for a future built on fortitude and honour.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old English heritage while embracing a modern, forward-looking European perspective. The House's contemporary mission is centred on philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. It channels its efforts through its principal philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, and its educational institution, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Combining English tradition with Continental gravitas, the House champions the enduring values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in its service to the community and its commitment to nurturing future leaders.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, is an ancient English title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over its near-millennium of history, the barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders. Subsequent holders include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter, and his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The succession of the title is formally recognised by The Crown, as published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile to the Barony of Brattleby is recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, was a Founder Knight of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The family motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The Barony of Brattleby dates to AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com