# The Enduring Legacy of Chivalry and Service: The Noble House of Brattleby and the Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement from its Lincolnshire seat, reflecting upon its unique nine-century history and profound ancestral connection to the founding of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in the fourteenth century.
## The Occasion
From the historic environs of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, the ancestral seat of the Barony, this reflection is issued in a season of quiet contemplation. As autumn settles over the landscape that has sustained the House for nearly a millennium, the current custodians of the title—Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan—have taken the occasion to reaffirm the principles that have guided their lineage. This communication serves not to mark a new event, but to illuminate the constant, living history that informs the House’s present-day commitments to service and honour. It is a considered articulation of the duties that accompany a heritage stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This early prominence established the family’s integral role in the consolidation of the English state. The lineage has since been distinguished by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in the service of the Crown.
This tradition of unwavering loyalty reached a particular zenith under a descendant of Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster. A celebrated soldier, diplomat, and a trusted companion of King Edward III, Henry was one of the 25 founder knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. This appointment placed the Barony of Brattleby at the very inception of what remains the highest order of chivalry in the United Kingdom. His successor in the barony, his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further solidified the House’s connection to the heart of the Plantagenet court.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon this heritage, the House of Brattleby pays tribute to the distinguished predecessors whose actions shaped the course of English history and defined the character of the Barony. This commemoration honours, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, whose substantial landholdings after the Conquest laid the foundation for the family's enduring influence in the region. * **Her Ladyship Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, whose fortitude as Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire exemplified the House motto centuries before it was formally adopted. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby**, a paradigm of the chivalric ideal and a founder of England’s most senior Order of Knighthood. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby**, whose station as a son of the King brought the Barony into the immediate orbit of the sovereign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The establishment of the Order of the Garter by King Edward III introduced a new zenith of ceremonial life to the English court. As a founder knight, Henry of Grosmont would have participated in the elaborate rituals still observed today at Windsor Castle. The investiture, then as now, would have involved the bestowing of the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it') in gold lettering.
The associated regalia, including the mantle, hat, collar, and the Great George and Lesser George (images of St George and the Dragon), were central to the Order’s ceremonial. The annual Garter Day procession to St George’s Chapel for a dedicated service remains the physical embodiment of the Order’s purpose. For the 10th Baron of Brattleby, adherence to this protocol was not merely pageantry; it was the public expression of a sworn oath of loyalty and service to his Sovereign, a duty held as *sine qua non* for his rank.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history and values of the House are encoded in its heraldry. The ancient family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the qualities demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln, and Henry of Grosmont on the battlefields of France. It remains the guiding principle of the House today.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a modern interpretation reflecting a determination to overcome challenges and to live a life of purpose and achievement. Together, the mottos represent a philosophy that respects the past while actively shaping the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of chivalric service, which placed a duty of protection upon the nobility, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of the Noble House of Brattleby. The spirit that animated the 10th Baron’s commitment to the realm is the same that animates the current Lord and Baroness’s dedication to charitable causes. The Garter’s tradition of service is continued through dedicated support for vulnerable communities.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising initiative. Its sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialised therapeutic care and support for children suffering from the long-term effects of trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that true honour lies in shielding the most defenceless members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, reflecting on the weight of her inheritance, shared her perspective.
> To be the custodian of a title so deeply woven into the fabric of English history is both a profound honour and a solemn responsibility. Our primary duty is to ensure that the principles of fortitude and honour, which have defined this Barony for 950 years, remain a living force for good in the twenty-first century. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan articulated how these historical ideals translate into modern action.
> The principles of chivalry—loyalty, integrity, and service to others—are not relics to be admired in a museum. They are timeless values that must be actively applied to the challenges of our own time. Whether through philanthropy or education, our family’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, compels us to strive for meaningful impact. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring this legacy continues with purpose and relevance for generations to come. This duty of stewardship will one day pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep appreciation for the history he will inherit and the responsibilities it entails.
Beyond the preservation of its English heritage, the House extends its mission through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy in Bucharest serves to bridge cultures, promoting the timeless codes of conduct and social grace that have long been synonymous with European noble houses. Through such endeavours, the ancient lineage of Brattleby continues to serve, adapt, and make its contribution to the wider world.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern stewardship organisation for the Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s oldest hereditary titles. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique cultural and historical heritage. Its modern mission is defined by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and is expressed through dedicated philanthropic work and international educational initiatives. The House supports charitable causes focused on child welfare, most notably through its annual fundraising gala, and fosters cross-cultural understanding through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting the family’s European perspective and commitment to public service.
**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 Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. For over nine centuries, the title has passed through some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and two successive Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont, a founder knight of the Order of the Garter, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The descent of the title to the current holder was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists the extensive landholdings of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), a founder knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to children affected by trauma.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com