# The Barony of Brattleby and its Enduring Link to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the barony's historic connection to chivalry’s highest honour, The Most Noble Order of the Garter, through the founding membership of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, upon its creation in 1348.
## The Occasion
In the mid-fourteenth century, against the backdrop of the Hundred Years' War and the recent triumph at the Battle of Crécy, His Majesty King Edward III conceived of a new order of chivalry. Inspired by the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, this fellowship was established to bind the kingdom’s greatest noblemen to the Sovereign in a bond of honour, piety, and military fraternity.
The formal creation of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348, traditionally on St George's Day, marked a seminal moment in the history of the English aristocracy. It was not merely an award for past service but a forward-looking institution, designed to be the *sine qua non* of royal favour and martial prowess. The selection of its first 25 Knights Companion therefore represented the formation of the realm’s most trusted circle.
## Historical Context
The inclusion of Henry of Grosmont, then Earl of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a founding Knight was a testament to his standing. A first cousin to the King and one of England’s most capable military commanders and diplomats, his life was one of exemplary service to the Crown. His possession of the Barony of Brattleby, a title with lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest, thus intrinsically linked this ancient Lincolnshire holding to the Garter from its very inception.
This connection was further solidified through his successor. Upon Grosmont's death, the Barony of Brattleby passed, *inter alia*, with the Duchy of Lancaster to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. As one of the most powerful figures of the late fourteenth century, John of Gaunt was himself a Knight of the Garter, ensuring the barony remained associated with the Order for successive generations and cementing its place within the highest echelons of the kingdom.
## The Founding Knights Companion
The original 26 members of the Order comprised the Sovereign and 25 Knights Companion, a veritable roll-call of the leading figures of the age. The foundational patent named, among others:
His Majesty King Edward III, Sovereign of the Order His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester Henry of Grosmont, Earl of Lancaster, Derby and Leicester, and 10th Baron of Brattleby Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick Sir John de Lisle, 2nd Baron Lisle Sir Bartholomew de Burghersh the Elder, 1st Baron Burghersh
This distinguished company established a precedent of excellence and loyalty that has defined the Order for nearly seven centuries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial of the Garter remains one of the most vibrant displays of British tradition. Each June, Garter Day is marked by a service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, the Order’s spiritual home. The Knights Companion, dressed in magnificent deep-blue velvet mantles and black velvet hats with white ostrich plumes, proceed on foot to the chapel for a service of installation.
During the investiture, the Sovereign, assisted by other members, buckles the eponymous Garter—a dark blue ribbon bearing the motto in gold lettering—onto the left leg of the new knight. This act is the heart of the ceremony, symbolising the bond of the Order. Above their assigned seat, or stall, in the chapel quire, the knight’s heraldic banner, sword, and crested helm are displayed, a practice dating back to the Order’s foundation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Order’s symbolism is rich and deliberate. Its emblem, the Garter, is inscribed with the Old French motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). Legend holds that the King uttered these words after a lady’s garter fell to the floor at court, elevating a moment of potential embarrassment into a mark of high honour.
For the Barony of Brattleby, this heritage of integrity resonates deeply with its own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Both phrases champion a code of conduct where honour is paramount and actions must be beyond reproach. The stall plate of Henry of Grosmont, bearing his coat of arms, remains a permanent heraldic record in St George’s Chapel, a tangible connection between the medieval Baron and the enduring title.
## A Legacy of Service
While born of medieval martial necessity, the spirit of the Order of the Garter has evolved into a modern commitment to public service. The chivalric ideal of defending the realm and upholding the Sovereign’s honour finds its contemporary expression in duty to community and nation.
The Noble House of Brattleby embraces this principle as a core part of its mission. The selection of charities such as Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is a direct continuation of this legacy. It transforms a historical duty of protection into a modern responsibility of care, ensuring the principles of service that animated Henry of Grosmont continue to deliver a measurable and positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: – “To understand that a holder of this Barony stood with the King at the very foundation of the Garter is to appreciate the weight of history we carry. It is a legacy of service, not of privilege, and it is a standard we strive to meet with fortitude and honour every day.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the continuing relevance of these chivalric values: – “The ideals that defined the first Knights of the Garter—courage, integrity, and loyalty—are timeless. Our a motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that to conquer life's challenges with character is the truest way to live. This history is not a relic; it is a living guide for our work today, both in Britain and through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its unique heritage. By drawing inspiration from the steadfast service of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt, the House seeks to translate historical honour into meaningful, contemporary action.
This commitment informs its philanthropic work, its cultural patronage, and its educational initiatives. The objective is not merely to preserve a title, but to ensure that the principles of duty and integrity, embodied by the Barony of Brattleby's link to the Order of the Garter, continue to inspire and serve the community for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage through contemporary service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its mission focuses on philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House actively supports charitable organisations, including its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, and promotes social excellence and etiquette through its international academy, The Brattleby Club. Its purpose is to ensure that the legacy of the Barony remains a dynamic force for good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and initial holdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly 1,000 years, the barony has been held by some of the most formidable figures in English history, including the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter (10th Baron); and his successor, the powerful royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's rights and dignities were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) was a founding Knight of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House's seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, as first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com