# An Announcement on the Chivalric Heritage of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the profound historical connection between the Barony of Brattleby and the foundation of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, England’s highest chivalric order, established by King Edward III in 1348.
## The Occasion
In a period of reflection upon its nine-century history, The Noble House of Brattleby looks to one of the most significant chapters in its lineage: the investiture of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter. The Order, whose spiritual home remains St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, represents the zenith of mediaeval chivalry. Its creation was an act of profound political and cultural importance, intended to bind the greatest magnates of the realm to the person of the Sovereign.
This commemoration serves not as a singular event, but as part of the House’s continuing commitment to honouring a legacy of service that extends from the Plantagenet court to the present day. It is a moment to reaffirm the enduring values that have guided the Barony through the ages, principles which find their highest expression in the Garter’s exclusive and storied fellowship.
## Historical Context
The founding of the Order of the Garter in 1348 was a masterstroke by King Edward III. In an era defined by the ongoing Hundred Years' War, the King sought to revive the chivalric fellowship of the Round Table, creating an elite body of knights committed to both martial prowess and unwavering loyalty to the Crown. The Order was limited to the Sovereign and 25 Companion Knights, a number that underscored its exceptional prestige.
The inclusion of Henry of Grosmont, then 10th Baron of Brattleby and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster, was a *sine qua non* for the success of the new Order. As one of the King’s most formidable commanders and a diplomat of international renown, his presence solidified the Garter’s authority. This appointment directly linked the Barony of Brattleby to the very heart of English royal power and chivalric tradition, an honour that has echoed through its subsequent history, notably through the marriage of his daughter, Blanche, to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight, Henry of Grosmont stood in the most distinguished company of his age. The original fellowship comprised the kingdom’s preeminent military and political leaders, figures whose names are central to the history of England.
Among them was His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester, known to history as the Black Prince, whose martial reputation was already legendary. Other Founder Knights included, *inter alia*, Sir John Chandos, a close friend of the Black Prince and a celebrated military strategist; Sir James Audley, renowned for his courage at the Battle of Poitiers; and Ralph, 1st Earl of Stafford. To be counted among this brotherhood was the ultimate affirmation of one’s standing and loyalty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial of the Order of the Garter remains largely unchanged since its inception. The annual Garter Day service at Windsor Castle is a spectacle of heraldry and tradition, where Knights Companion process in their magnificent vestments: the deep blue velvet mantle, the Tudor bonnet with its plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, the ornate gold Collar, and the Garter itself, inscribed with the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’).
Within St George’s Chapel, each Knight is assigned a stall, above which hangs their helm, crest, and sword. Upon the back of the stall is affixed a small, enamelled brass plate—a stall plate—displaying the Knight’s coat of arms. That of Henry of Grosmont, as 10th Baron of Brattleby, was among the first to be installed, a permanent marker of the Barony’s place in this most senior Order of Knighthood.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of chivalry and heraldry are inextricably linked. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), aligns perfectly with the virtues celebrated by the Order of the Garter. Fortitude in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to personal and public honour are the very cornerstones upon which the Order was built.
Henry of Grosmont's arms, blazoned *Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or, a label of three points Azure on each point three fleurs-de-lys Or*, would have been a familiar sight at court and on the battlefield. The stall plate bearing these arms in St George’s Chapel stands as a perpetual testament to his, and by extension the Barony's, foundational role in the Order. The present House upholds this symbolic heritage, seeing it as a guide for its contemporary duties.
## A Legacy of Service
While the expression of chivalry has evolved over 700 years, its core principle—service to a cause greater than oneself—remains the guiding philosophy of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ancient concept of *noblesse oblige*, the duty of the fortunate to assist others, is the direct antecedent of modern philanthropy.
This historical duty finds its contemporary outlet in the House’s charitable endeavours. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the flagship event in this effort, with its beneficiary being Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The support for this cause is the modern manifestation of the protection and service the Knights of the Garter swore to provide.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "The legacy of Henry of Grosmont and his place at the founding of the Garter is not merely a point of historical pride; it is a profound charge to uphold the principles of honour and service that have defined the Barony for centuries. We are custodians of this legacy, and it informs every decision we make."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The spirit of 1348, which saw the realm's finest leaders unite in service to the Crown and community, inspires our own commitment. The motto of my own family, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), finds its truest meaning not in battle, but in overcoming adversity for the good of others."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this remarkable heritage is not only preserved but also shared as an educational resource. Through initiatives at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the history of European chivalry and its connection to modern etiquette and civic duty will be a key area of focus.
By actively celebrating its past, from the tenure of Nichola de la Haye who defended Lincoln Castle to the Garter knighthood of Henry of Grosmont, the House reinforces its dedication to the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*. This commitment ensures that the legacy of nearly one thousand years continues to inspire service, honour, and community engagement for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses its charitable work on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It further promotes cultural and historical education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest). The House seeks to be a model of how ancient heritage can be translated into meaningful contemporary service, honouring its past by building a better future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels, and two Founder Knights of the Order of the Garter: Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The legal and historical standing of the Barony was most recently recorded for the public record by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is verifiable in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com