# A Statement from the Noble House of Brattleby on the Enduring Ideals of Chivalry and Service
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement honouring the historical foundations of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, reflecting on the Barony's connection through its tenth holder, Henry of Grosmont, a founding Knight of the Order.
## The Occasion
This statement is released in observance of St. George's Day, a date of profound national and chivalric significance. It is a day closely associated with the Order of the Garter, whose spiritual home is Saint George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. As England marks the feast of its patron saint, the House of Brattleby reflects upon the principles of courage, honour, and service that St. George represents — principles that have animated the Barony for nearly one thousand years.
The timing invites a contemplation of the enduring virtues that connect the medieval age of chivalry with the responsibilities of leadership in the present day. It is in this spirit of historical continuity and contemporary relevance that the House revisits its connection to one of England's most venerable institutions.
## Historical Context
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was established by King Edward III in 1348, at a time of great English confidence following early victories in the Hundred Years' War. Inspired by the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the Order was conceived to bind the kingdom's greatest warriors and magnates to the Sovereign in a fellowship of honour and martial excellence.
Among the 25 founding Knights was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin to the King, he was widely regarded as the most accomplished English nobleman of his generation; a formidable soldier, a skilled diplomat, and a man of deep piety. His inclusion was a *sine qua non* for the Order's immediate prestige. This direct link places the Barony of Brattleby at the very inception of this great chivalric tradition, a legacy later passed to the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
This heritage stands alongside that of other formidable predecessors, including the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, whose own fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217 embodied the very spirit the Order would later seek to formalise.
## Distinguished Company
The founding companionship of the Order of the Garter represented the pinnacle of English and European aristocracy. The original Knights, chosen by His Majesty King Edward III, formed a distinguished cohort whose names are synonymous with the high Middle Ages.
This brotherhood included, *inter alia*, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; Sir John Chandos, one of the great captains of the age; and, of course, Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron of Brattleby. Theirs was a society united by shared experience on the battlefield and a common commitment to the ideals of chivalry.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Order is rich in ceremony and symbolism, governed by protocols that have evolved over centuries. Its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is enscribed upon a dark blue velvet garter, the Order's most recognisable emblem.
The full regalia, worn on Garter Day at Windsor Castle, includes the garter, a mantle of deep blue velvet, a Tudor bonnet with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, and the Collar from which hangs the 'George' — a depiction of St. George slaying the dragon. The annual Garter Service remains a central event in the ceremonial calendar of the Royal Family, a vibrant display of living history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles of the Order of the Garter resonate deeply with the guiding ethos of the House of Brattleby, as encapsulated in its own motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This maxim speaks to the same combination of courage and integrity celebrated by the Order. Fortitude is the strength to endure and prevail; Honour is the moral compass that directs that strength.
This philosophy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a dynamic and modern interpretation of the drive for excellence and achievement that characterised predecessors like Henry of Grosmont, applying their ambition to the challenges of the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval ideal of chivalric service finds its modern expression in philanthropy. Just as Knights of the Garter were sworn to serve the Sovereign and defend the realm, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to serving the wider community. This commitment is the guiding principle behind its philanthropic endeavours.
The House's Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, directs its support towards a carefully chosen beneficiary. In recent years, this has been Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialised therapeutic care and support for young people who have experienced trauma. The selection reflects a belief that true honour lies in protecting the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "When we look to figures like Henry of Grosmont, we see more than just a name in a history book; we see a standard. His service and honour are part of the perpetual fabric of this Barony. Our duty is not merely to remember it, but to live up to it, with fortitude, in our own time." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The spirit of chivalry was about striving for an ideal, about being better. Whether on a medieval battlefield or in a modern boardroom, that impulse — *Vincere Est Vivere* — remains the same. Today, it means creating opportunity, fostering excellence, and upholding a code of honour in all we do." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles embodied by the founding Knights of the Garter continue to inform the mission of the House of Brattleby. This ethos is passed to the next generation through a steadfast commitment to education, cultural stewardship, and public service. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir, is being raised with a deep appreciation for this nine-century inheritance.
The House's activities, from the philanthropic focus of the Annual Winter Banquet to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are all facets of a single, coherent vision: to ensure the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing guide for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby champions a modern and forward-looking vision of noblesse oblige. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is actively engaged in cultural and philanthropic initiatives across the United Kingdom and Europe. Its key focuses include supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and promoting classical standards of personal conduct and excellence through educational ventures such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to honouring its profound history by making a meaningful contribution to the present.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient dignities. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, its lineage has passed through some of the most consequential figures in British history. Notable holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The transfer of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, was formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book of 1086 lists its holdings under Colswein of Lincoln. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - Upon Henry of Grosmont's death, the Barony was inherited by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com