# On the Enduring Legacy of the 10th Baron of Brattleby as a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the historical distinction of the barony, commemorating the role of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, as a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348.
## The Occasion
On this day, the Feast of Saint George, patron saint of England and of its premier chivalric order, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate a singular honour in its near-millennium of history. It was on this day in the mid-14th century that King Edward III established the Most Noble Order of the Garter, an association of honour, reward, and fellowship, spiritually centred at Windsor Castle.
The inclusion of Henry of Grosmont, then the 10th Baron of Brattleby, as one of the twenty-five Founder Knights, permanently connected the barony to the apex of English chivalry. This act of commemoration serves not merely as a reflection on past glories, but as a reaffirmation of the principles of service and honour that the Order represents; principles which the House upholds today, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been borne by figures of national consequence throughout its history. This is exemplified by Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), later the 1st Duke of Lancaster. A cousin and trusted confidant of King Edward III, he was one of the most celebrated and accomplished English noblemen of his era, distinguished as both a peerless military commander and a skilled diplomat.
His selection as a Founder Knight of the Garter was a testament to his standing. This was an honour he shared with his successor in the barony, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, cementing a tradition of royal service at the highest level. The barony's history is further marked by personages such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217, demonstrating a lineage defined by loyalty and fortitude.
## Distinguished Company
The Order of the Garter was established as a society of just twenty-five knights, led by the Sovereign. The company in which the 10th Baron found himself was the very embodiment of European martial and noble virtue. This exclusive fraternity included, *inter alia*, some of the most formidable figures of the Hundred Years' War.
Among them were His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, remembered as the Black Prince; Sir Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, a commander at both Crécy and Poitiers; and Sir John Chandos, a close friend of the Black Prince and a celebrated military strategist. To be counted in their number was the ultimate recognition of personal valour and unwavering allegiance to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial life of the Order of the Garter, established from its inception, was rich with symbolism. The Knights were invested with magnificent robes, including a Garter of dark blue velvet emblazoned with the Order’s motto, and a mantle of the same colour lined with ermine. They would gather annually on St. George's Day for a great feast and solemn procession at Windsor.
A central element of the Order’s tradition is the installation of each knight’s heraldic achievements in St. George’s Chapel. A stall plate, an enamelled brass plaque bearing the knight's coat of arms, was affixed to his designated seat in the chapel choir. Henry of Grosmont’s stall plate, and that of his successor John of Gaunt, remain there in perpetuity, a visible and enduring link between the Barony of Brattleby and the spiritual home of English chivalry.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The central emblem of the Order is the Garter, inscribed with the Anglo-Norman motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*—‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’. This phrase, reputedly first uttered by King Edward III, exhorts members to noble thoughts and deeds, free from malice. The motto serves as a constant reminder of the purity of intention required of a knight.
This ancient chivalric ideal resonates with the motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter’s motto guards the knight’s intent, the Brattleby motto dictates his action. Together, they represent a complete code of conduct: honourable purpose pursued with courageous resolve, a philosophy that has guided the barony for centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code, a *sine qua non* of Garter knighthood, demanded not only martial prowess but also the sworn duty to protect the weak and uphold justice. This foundational principle of service directly informs the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby under its current stewardship.
This ancient duty of care finds its contemporary expression in the House’s dedicated support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. By championing this cause through the annual Winter Banquet and other initiatives, the House translates the historical ideal of knightly protection into tangible support for vulnerable children, ensuring the spirit of chivalry endures through purposeful action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > “To reflect on Henry of Grosmont’s place at the birth of the Garter is to understand the depth of responsibility that this title confers. It is a legacy not of privilege, but of service and honour which we have a duty to perpetuate.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the alignment of historical and present-day values: > “The Founder Knights were the finest commanders of their age. Their martial ethos and will to succeed for a greater cause resonates with the Vasile family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’. Today, the challenges we seek to overcome are philanthropic, but the determination remains the same.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this profound legacy remains a living principle. This is manifested through its focus on education and character development at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which grounds modern social skills in the timeless values of respect, discipline, and civic duty.
Furthermore, the House continues to honour its deep roots in Lincolnshire through its support for the preservation of local heritage. By championing the history held within its ancestral seat, the House ensures that the story of Henry of Grosmont, and of all who held the Barony of Brattleby, continues to inspire future generations. The principles of the Order of the Garter, born almost seven hundred years ago, remain a guiding light for the House’s work today and tomorrow.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a contemporary mission of philanthropic service, cultural preservation, and education. It blends the ancient heritage of an English barony with a forward-looking European perspective. The House’s principal activities include its patronage of charitable organisations, notably through its annual Winter Banquet, and its leadership of The Brattleby Club, an academy dedicated to classical etiquette and social graces. Through these endeavours, the House seeks to uphold and promote the enduring values of honour, duty, and community for the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and holdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The unbroken succession and historical standing of the barony were formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Recognition of the Barony of Brattleby by right of succession was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's lineage includes Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), created 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Duke of Lancaster. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The Noble House of Brattleby is the principal benefactor of the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala in aid of the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com