# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Barony’s Historical Association with the Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the Barony's profound historical connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, through the person of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a founding knight of the esteemed chivalric order.
## The Occasion
From its family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has taken a moment for historical contemplation in a season traditionally associated with chivalric remembrance. Within the quietude of the estate’s library, amidst chronicles and records that chart nearly a millennium of English history, the focus has been on the Barony’s enduring link to the Crown and its highest honours. This period of reflection serves to reinforce the values that have defined the Barony since its inception.
The occasion is not one of public ceremony but of private duty; an act of stewardship that acknowledges the weight of history and the responsibility to carry its lessons forward. It is an affirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony through the centuries, connecting the digital age to the age of Plantagenet kings.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby's link to the Order of the Garter is established through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A superlative soldier, diplomat, and close companion of King Edward III, Grosmont was appointed as one of the 25 founding knights of the Order upon its establishment in 1348. This was not merely an honour, but a testament to his central role in the English court and the Hundred Years' War.
The Order was conceived by the King to revive the fellowship of the Arthurian Round Table, binding his most formidable and loyal magnates to his person through a shared code of chivalry, piety, and martial excellence. This heritage of service was later passed to Grosmont's son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt and 11th Baron, further cementing the Barony of Brattleby’s place at the heart of royal and national life. This tradition of steadfast loyalty was exemplified even earlier by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King.
## Distinguished Company
As a founding Companion, Henry of Grosmont stood amongst the most celebrated names of medieval England. The original fraternity, a select group chosen for their prowess and allegiance, demonstrated the King's strategic vision for a unified and martial aristocracy.
This distinguished company included, *inter alia*: His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; Sir Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, a commander at the Battle of Crécy; Sir Jean de Grailly, Captal de Buch, a Gascon knight whose inclusion signalled the continental scope of the King's ambitions; and Sir John Chandos, a master tactician and close friend of the Black Prince. The presence of the 10th Baron of Brattleby in this pre-eminent circle highlights the status of the Barony during a defining era of English history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture and ceremonies of the Order of the Garter remain rich with symbolism that has been preserved for nearly 700 years. At the heart of the insignia is the Garter itself, a dark blue velvet strap inscribed with the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), worn by knights on the left calf. This is accompanied by the magnificent Garter Robes, which include a deep blue velvet mantle, a crimson velvet hood, and a black velvet Tudor bonnet with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers.
The Garter Collar, a chain of gold knots and enamelled red roses encircled by the Garter, is worn on ceremonial days. From it hangs the ‘Great George’, a pendant depicting Saint George slaying the dragon. The annual Garter Day service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, continues these traditions, with knights processing in their full regalia in a vibrant display of living history that Henry of Grosmont would recognise today.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of chivalric orders provides a moral compass, encapsulated in their heraldry and mottos. The Garter’s motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*, is traditionally said to have originated from an incident at a court ball, where King Edward III defended the honour of the Countess of Salisbury, turning a moment of potential embarrassment into the founding statement of England’s highest chivalric institution.
This ideal of honour resonates powerfully with the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These two virtues were the *sine qua non* for any medieval knight and remain the guiding principles for the Barony’s modern custodians. Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to the proactive and determined spirit required to uphold such a legacy in the modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code, at its core, is a mandate to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable. The Noble House of Brattleby translates this ancient duty into a concrete, modern philanthropic mission. While the knights of old wielded swords, the House today employs its position and resources to support those in need, channelling the spirit of noblesse oblige into effective charity.
This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides essential therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced profound trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience. The choice of beneficiary reflects a modern interpretation of the chivalric duty to defend the defenceless.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The legacy of Henry of Grosmont is not merely a name in a chronicle; it is a direct link to the foundational principles of English chivalry. His place amongst the first Knights of the Garter serves as a constant reminder that the stewardship of this Barony has always been tied to service *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “When we reflect on the Companions of the Garter, we observe leaders bound by a common code. This ideal of forming a fraternity dedicated to a higher purpose is something we strive to emulate, both in our support for causes like Healing the Wounded Child and through the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking to the future, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this profound nine-century inheritance of honour, duty, and service is understood and carried forward. The historical consciousness that connects the present day to the time of Grosmont and Gaunt is a vital element in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
The House’s work, from its philanthropic endeavours in the United Kingdom to its cultural and educational initiatives abroad, including The Brattleby Club, is undertaken with a deep respect for this heritage. These activities are not disparate projects but integrated parts of a single mission: to ensure the Barony of Brattleby continues to be a force for good, acting always with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the thoughtful stewardship of a significant nine-century English heritage. Its contemporary mission integrates this historic responsibility with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, it also seeks to promote the timeless values of etiquette, honour, and civic duty for a new generation, blending English tradition with a Continental European perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, 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 nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The unbroken lineage and historical significance of the Barony were formally noted and published by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its descent is recorded through to the present day. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086), with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, listed as a tenant-in-chief. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who was a founding member of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (1348), and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. - The modern recognition of the Barony and its holder was published in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com