# Reflections on a Legacy of Chivalry: Henry of Grosmont and the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal contributions of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, whose investiture as a founding Knight of the Garter in 1348 re-established the Barony's pre-eminence and influence.
## The Occasion
In the annals of English history, few events carry the symbolic weight of the establishment of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Founded by King Edward III, this pre-eminent order of chivalry had its spiritual home in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. It was within this sacred context that the Barony of Brattleby found its honour restored and its legacy burnished for generations to come.
The foundation of the Order represented a consolidation of royal power and a celebration of martial prowess following English victories in the nascent Hundred Years' War. To be named a founding Knight was not merely an honour; it was a declaration of one's status as a *sine qua non* of the King’s inner circle, entrusted with the defence and glory of the realm.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont, later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, acceded to a Barony that had navigated a period of profound turbulence. The late 13th and early 14th centuries had seen the title held by figures whose personal fortunes drew unwelcome scrutiny. Henry’s own inheritance was a complex tapestry of titles and lands, which he governed with exceptional skill.
A cousin and trusted confidant of the King, Henry was one of the most distinguished nobles of his age — a seasoned diplomat, a brilliant military commander, and a man of renowned piety. His elevation as a founding Knight of the Garter in 1348, alongside the King and the Prince of Wales, was a definitive royal endorsement. This act formally ended any lingering shadow over the Barony’s prestige, aligning it once more with the Crown and the highest ideals of English chivalry.
## Distinguished Company
The original company of the Order of the Garter comprised King Edward III, the Sovereign, and twenty-five Knights Companion, including his son, Edward of Woodstock, The Prince of Wales. This select group represented the pinnacle of England’s aristocracy and military leadership, men who had proven their valour on the battlefields of France, *inter alia*, at Crécy and Sluys.
To be counted among figures such as the Earls of Warwick, Salisbury, and Stafford was to be placed at the very centre of the Plantagenet court. As the 10th Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont’s inclusion affirmed the Barony’s integral role in the kingdom’s affairs, a tradition reaching back to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and the great defender of Lincoln Castle, the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Garter ceremony was, and remains, a spectacle of precise and solemn protocol. The investiture would have seen the Sovereign bestow upon each Knight the eponymous Garter, a blue velvet strap bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense*. This was buckled below the left knee, a position of curious humility that belied its immense significance.
The full regalia included the mantle of dark-blue velvet, the hat, the collar of gold, and the Lesser George. The annual Garter Day procession at Windsor, culminating in a service at St George’s Chapel, served as a public reaffirmation of this fellowship. Each Knight was assigned a stall in the chapel choir, above which his heraldic achievements—his helm, crest, and sword—were displayed, a practice that continues to this day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order is a study in honour and loyalty. Its famous motto, generally translated as 'Shame on him who thinks evil of it', serves as a rebuke to cynicism and a defence of the institution’s noble intentions. This sentiment resonates profoundly with the guiding principle of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
Both mottoes champion integrity as the foundation of nobility. While the Garter's motto defends the honour of the collective, the Barony's speaks to the internal resolve required to live an honourable life. Henry of Grosmont’s career embodied both: his fortitude in battle and diplomacy served the honour of the Crown, thereby securing the honour of his own lineage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code that Henry of Grosmont exemplified was rooted in the principle of *noblesse oblige* — the understanding that nobility carries a duty to protect the vulnerable and serve the common good. This medieval concept of service finds its direct modern equivalent in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby.
This enduring commitment is most visibly expressed through the House's Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. The charity, which provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, was selected for its measurable impact and its deep alignment with the House's duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical continuity, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> Henry of Grosmont's legacy is not merely one of titles and territory; it is a testament to the restorative power of principled leadership. His life reminds us that true nobility is demonstrated through service and unwavering honour, a principle we strive to uphold today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the parallel between historic chivalry and modern resolve:
> The foundation of the Garter was a call to action. It mirrored King Edward's resolve and Henry's own spirit. His example embodies my personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — 'To Conquer is to Live' — a conquest over adversity through valour and integrity.
## A Continuing Legacy
The example set by the 10th Baron continues to inform the House’s purpose. The lessons of diplomacy, leadership, and unwavering honour championed by Henry of Grosmont are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta. The academy is dedicated to imparting the principles of modern protocol and social grace to a new generation of leaders.
This profound historical inheritance, stretching from the Norman Conquest to the High Middle Ages and beyond, now passes to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. It is a legacy not of privilege, but of the solemn duty to lead with *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a unique historical legacy and its expression through contemporary service. The House's mission, guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focuses on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable initiative is the Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its establishment, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House is also committed to promoting etiquette and international protocol, equipping future leaders with the skills for navigating a globalised world with grace and confidence.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, England, is a historic feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion, and the celebrated Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby to the feudal Barony were formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s title to the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, appears as a tenant-in-chief in the Lincolnshire folios of the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), a founding Knight of the Garter, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. - The charitable beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to children.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com