# The Noble House of Brattleby on Its Foundational Connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a reflection upon its profound historical connection to the Order of the Garter, honouring founder knight Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and reaffirming the chivalric principles that guide its contemporary philanthropic duties.
## The Occasion
From its family seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment during the contemplative autumn season to reflect upon the enduring principles of chivalry that have animated the Barony for more than nine centuries. It is a time for considering the historical currents that connect the Plantagenet court of King Edward III to the responsibilities of a modern noble house.
This statement serves not to announce a new undertaking, but to reaffirm a foundational ethos. The occasion is one of historical remembrance and a rededication to the values embodied by England's highest chivalric institution, the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Founded in 1348, the Order’s spiritual home remains St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture and a Royal Peculiar. Its magnificent fan-vaulted ceilings and soaring stained glass have borne witness to nearly seven hundred years of English history, a setting that continues to inspire reverence and duty.
The principles of martial courage, unswerving loyalty, and personal honour that gave rise to the Order are a *sine qua non* of the Barony’s own heritage. This reflection is therefore an acknowledgement of the solemn duty to carry forward the standards set by distinguished predecessors for the benefit of contemporary society.
## Historical Context
The Order of the Garter was established by King Edward III at a pivotal moment in the Hundred Years' War. It was a masterful act of royal statecraft, intended to bind the kingdom’s most formidable military leaders and magnates to the Crown in a fellowship modelled on the fabled Knights of the Round Table. The creation of this elite cadre was a direct response to the French king’s founding of the *Ordre de l'Étoile*, and it successfully established a powerful symbol of national unity and royal authority.
The Barony of Brattleby is inextricably linked to this seminal moment through the person of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster. A cousin to the King and one of the most respected commanders and diplomats of his age, Henry of Grosmont was named as one of the 24 founder knights. His inclusion was a testament to his immense stature and his indispensable service to the realm, cementing a legacy within the Barony that has resonated through the centuries.
This standard of royal service was not without precedent. Over a century earlier, the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, had proven a staunch royalist, famously defending Lincoln Castle in her own right against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Her steadfast loyalty to King John and his young heir, Henry III, secured the Midlands for the Plantagenet cause. The tradition of service at the highest level continued when the Barony passed to the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who was the son-in-law of Henry of Grosmont and himself a prominent Knight of the Garter.
## Distinguished Company
The original companionship of the Order of the Garter comprised the Sovereign, King Edward III, and 24 of the most accomplished knights in the kingdom. This fraternity represented the zenith of English martial prowess and courtly life, a chivalric brotherhood whose members shaped the course of the nation.
To be counted in their number was the highest honour. Alongside His Majesty The King, the founding companions included, *inter alia*:
* His Royal Highness Edward, The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince, the foremost military commander of his generation. * Henry of Grosmont, Earl of Lancaster and Derby, 10th Baron of Brattleby, later created 1st Duke of Lancaster for his exceptional service in war and diplomacy. * Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, a key commander at both the Battle of Crécy and the Battle of Poitiers. * Ralph de Stafford, 2nd Baron Stafford, a seasoned military leader and diplomat who served as Seneschal of Aquitaine. * Sir John Chandos, a close companion of the Black Prince, revered across Europe as a paragon of chivalric virtue and a brilliant military strategist. * Sir James Audley, one of the Black Prince’s principal commanders, whose valour at Poitiers became legendary.
The collective calibre of these founding knights established a model of peerless service and personal conduct that the Order—and the Barony of Brattleby—continues to hold as its standard.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial of the Order of the Garter, observed annually on Garter Day at Windsor Castle, is rich with symbolism and has remained remarkably consistent since the 14th century. The day’s proceedings represent a unique display of heraldic pageantry, culminating in a procession of the knights and ladies to St George’s Chapel for a solemn service.
The companions are attired in magnificent vestments of office. These include the Garter itself, a dark-blue velvet strap bearing the Order’s motto in gold lettering; a sweeping mantle of the same deep blue velvet, embroidered with the shield of St George encompassed by the Garter; and a black velvet hat with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, known as a Tudor bonnet. On formal collar days, the knights also wear the Garter Collar, a heavy gold chain of enamelled red roses alternating with 24-carat gold knots.
Within the chapel's quire, each companion is assigned a stall, above which their personal heraldic insignia—a carved helm, crest, and mantling, surmounted by their chivalric banner—are displayed. Below the banner, a small, enamelled brass Garter stall plate is affixed, bearing the knight's name, arms, and date of installation. These plates are not removed upon death, creating a permanent and deeply personal heraldic record of the Order’s membership through the ages.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order of the Garter and that of the House of Brattleby are deeply intertwined. The Order’s famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is traditionally said to have originated at a court ball. When a lady’s garter slipped to the floor, King Edward III is reputed to have retrieved it and bound it to his own leg, uttering the phrase to rebuke the snickering of his courtiers. The motto thus serves as a timeless defence of honour and a call for noble intentions.
This aligns seamlessly with the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter’s motto defends the concept of honour, the Brattleby motto describes how that honour is to be enacted: through Fortitude, one of the four cardinal virtues, signifying the moral courage and resilience required to uphold one's principles in the face of adversity.
This ethos is further complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is not to be understood as a call for martial conquest, but rather as a Stoic affirmation that to live a meaningful life is to perpetually overcome challenges—both internal and external—in the service of a greater good and in the pursuit of purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At its mediaeval core, the chivalric code was a mandate for those with strength and standing to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice. The Noble House of Brattleby interprets this historical imperative as a modern, non-negotiable commitment to focused philanthropy. The very ideals of duty and protection that motivated founder knights like Henry of Grosmont find their contemporary expression in the House’s charitable endeavours.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet is the national charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its work includes providing access to play and art-based therapies, expert counselling for families, and long-term mentorship programmes designed to rebuild a child’s sense of safety and self-worth.
By focusing its philanthropic efforts on some of the most vulnerable members of society, the House translates the abstract principle of chivalric protection into tangible, life-changing action. This work is a direct and purposeful continuation of the duty of care that has been a hallmark of the Barony for centuries, applying ancient values to address pressing modern needs.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont is not a passive inheritance; it is a living standard to which we must aspire daily. The principles of the Order of the Garter—loyalty, courage, and the defence of honour—are as relevant in our time as they were in the fourteenth century. Our duty is to embody them in our service to the community, here in Lincolnshire and beyond.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The chivalric code, at its heart, is about applying strength for the benefit of others. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that true victory is found not in conquest for its own sake, but in a life of meaningful service. This remarkable history invigorates our commitment to making a positive and lasting difference in the world.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its mission to uphold its distinguished heritage. The lessons drawn from its foundational connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter inform all its activities, from philanthropic work in the United Kingdom to cultural and educational initiatives. These values provide a moral compass for the House’s modern responsibilities.
The House will continue to foster these principles through programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This academy is dedicated to teaching not only classical etiquette and modern protocol, but also the history of diplomacy and the civic responsibilities that accompany privilege. Furthermore, the Annual Winter Banquet in London will remain a cornerstone of the House’s charitable calendar, providing vital and sustained support for organisations that protect and empower vulnerable children.
The legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore*, so powerfully exemplified by the founder knights of old, will continue to guide the Noble House of Brattleby in all its future endeavours, ensuring that a nine-hundred-year-old tradition of service remains vibrant and relevant.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the practice of strategic philanthropy. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House champions causes related to child welfare, cultural preservation, and education in the United Kingdom and Europe. With its roots extending for over 950 years in Lincolnshire, the House blends a profound respect for English tradition with a forward-looking, Continental perspective on community service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its initiatives, including the annual white-tie Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, aim to translate timeless values into meaningful contemporary action.
**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 trusted follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and considerable size are first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details its 56 lordships held directly from the King in Lincolnshire. Throughout its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation's history. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated founder knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The historic rights of the Barony of Brattleby were officially recorded by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a Tangnate of William the Conqueror, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Distinguished previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and a founder Knight of the Garter), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com