# The House of Brattleby on its Enduring Connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 17 June — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on its profound historical connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, marking the occasion of the annual Garter Day service at Windsor and celebrating its predecessor’s role as a founding Knight.
## The Occasion
As the Knights and Ladies of the Garter gathered at Windsor Castle for their annual service, the pageantry and purpose of the Order were once again brought to the fore. The ceremony, held within the hallowed precincts of St George’s Chapel, is a vibrant spectacle of British royal tradition, its origins stretching back to the mid-fourteenth century. The early summer light, filtering through the chapel’s magnificent perpendicular Gothic windows, illuminated the Garter banners of the current companions, which hang above the exquisitely carved choir stalls. It is an atmosphere that powerfully evokes the age of chivalry, an age in which the Barony of Brattleby played a significant part.
## Historical Context
The Order of the Garter was instituted by King Edward III in 1348, at a time of rising English prestige during the Hundred Years' War. Conceived as a revival of King Arthur's Round Table, the Order was the supreme English honour, a fellowship limited to the Sovereign and 24 Knights Companion. The King sought to bind his most distinguished military commanders and magnates to him in a sacred bond of loyalty and service; its establishment was a masterstroke of royal statecraft.
Among this august founding group was Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster. A cousin to the King and one of England’s most celebrated soldiers and diplomats, his inclusion was a *sine qua non* for the Order's credibility. This appointment not only recognised his personal valour but also conferred immense prestige upon the Barony of Brattleby, cementing its place in the first rank of the English nobility. His legacy was continued by his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, who also held the distinction of being a Knight of the Garter.
## Distinguished Company
As a founding Knight, Henry of Grosmont stood in the company of the most powerful men in the realm. The original fellowship included, *inter alia*, His Royal Highness Edward, The Black Prince, Prince of Wales; Sir John Chandos; and Sir Walter Manny. These were men forged in the crucible of war, whose names were renowned across Christendom for their martial prowess and adherence to the chivalric code. Their collective reputation ensured the Order of the Garter was, from its inception, the pinnacle of chivalric aspiration in Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Garter Day ceremony follows a precise and ancient protocol. The Knights Companion, dressed in deep blue velvet mantles, black velvet hats with white ostrich plumes, and the insignia of the Order, process on foot from the State Apartments of Windsor Castle to St George’s Chapel. Central to their regalia is the Garter itself, a dark blue velvet strap worn on the left leg, inscribed with the Order’s motto. The procession is a solemn and public affirmation of their membership, witnessed by hundreds of onlookers. Inside the chapel, a short service is held, reaffirming the members’ commitment to the Sovereign and the principles of the Order.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order is rich and specific. Its motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), speaks to the honour and integrity expected of its members. This principle resonates deeply with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The fortitude demonstrated by Henry of Grosmont on the battlefields of France was matched only by the honour with which he served his King, ideals that the House continues to uphold. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), likewise captures the martial spirit and determination personified by the Order’s founding Knights.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While founded as a military and chivalric brotherhood, the underlying principle of the Order of the Garter has always been one of service—to the Crown and to the Realm. In the modern era, the House of Brattleby interprets this duty of service through a dedicated focus on philanthropy. This commitment is most visibly expressed through its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraising event. The sole beneficiary of this gathering is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma, a mission the House believes is a contemporary expression of the knightly duty to protect the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The legacy of Henry of Grosmont and his place in the Order of the Garter is a powerful reminder that service is the cornerstone of this House. His commitment was to the Crown and country; ours is to our community and to causes that offer healing and hope. The form of that service evolves, but the guiding principle—*Fortitudine et Honore*—remains unchanged.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The Garter Knights were leaders of men, defined by discipline and a will to succeed against great odds. That spirit of 'Vincere Est Vivere' is not merely about conflict, but about overcoming any challenge with honour. It is this ethos of purposeful leadership that we seek to foster through our work, both in our charitable endeavours and through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw inspiration from its nearly 700-year-old link to the highest Order of English Chivalry. The historical achievements of predecessors like the 10th and 11th Barons serve not as relics, but as a living standard against which contemporary responsibilities are measured. The House's commitment to public service, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy is the modern embodiment of the ancient pledge made by a Knight of the Garter: to act with fortitude, honour, and an unwavering sense of duty.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to stewarding a unique historical legacy while embracing a modern, forward-looking mission of public service. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its primary philanthropic focus is supporting vulnerable children, principally through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its cultural mission through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest founded by Honorary Lord Răzvan, which promotes the enduring values of decorum and professional grace in modern society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship seated in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and title of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded for the 12th Baroness in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), both of whom were Knights of the Garter. - The annual Winter Banquet of the House of Brattleby is a philanthropic gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com