# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and Founder Knight of the Garter
## Dateline + Lead LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marked Saint George’s Day with a private commemoration of its distinguished predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, celebrating his enduring legacy as a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
On Saint George’s Day, a date indelibly associated with English chivalry and the nation’s patron saint, it is a venerable custom to reflect upon the exemplars of history. In keeping with this tradition, The Noble House of Brattleby observed a day of private reflection to honour the life and legacy of one of its most eminent predecessors, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby.
His investiture by King Edward III as the sixth Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348 remains a high watermark in the nine-century history of the Barony. This annual commemoration is not an occasion of public ceremony, but rather one of quiet contemplation for the modern House; a moment to consider the profound duties of stewardship that accompany ancient titles and to reaffirm the guiding principles of the Barony.
The solemn observance serves as an internal rededication to the values that have sustained the Barony of Brattleby through periods of both turmoil and triumph. It forges a direct and meaningful link between the present holders and their most distinguished antecedents, ensuring that the past remains a living and instructive force for the present.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361) was a pre-eminent figure of the fourteenth century, celebrated across Europe as a formidable military commander, a skilled diplomat, and a paragon of chivalry. As a cousin, trusted friend, and captain of King Edward III, his victories during the Hundred Years' War—most notably the brilliant triumph at the Battle of Auberoche—secured his reputation as one of the great soldiers of his age.
So highly was he esteemed by the King that he was created the first non-royal Duke in English history, a testament to his service to the Crown. Through his tenure as the 10th Baron, the seat of Brattleby was intrinsically linked to the highest echelons of the English court and the foundational moments of its chivalric identity. His piety was as renowned as his martial skill, codified in his devotional work, the *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*.
Upon his death from plague in 1361, the Barony passed, via his daughter Blanche of Lancaster's marriage, to the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. This union directly connected Brattleby to the powerful House of Lancaster, and by extension, to the future lineage of the English Crown, weaving the Barony's thread deep into the tapestry of the nation's history.
## Distinguished Company
The creation of the Order of the Garter established a new spiritual and military fraternity around the Sovereign, a fellowship of honour designed to bind the kingdom's greatest leaders to the Crown. As the sixth Founder Knight, Henry of Grosmont stood in a company of England’s most celebrated figures; to be counted amongst them was the ultimate recognition of one’s standing.
This august fellowship was a *sine qua non* for maintaining the martial spirit and unwavering loyalty of the King’s inner circle during the long and arduous campaigns in France. It included, *inter alia*, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Edward of Woodstock, known to history as the Black Prince and a commander of legendary prowess.
Others in this first chapter of Knights were Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, a key commander at both Crécy and Poitiers, and Jean III de Grailly, Captal de Buch, a noble from Gascony whose inclusion signified the Order's strategic diplomatic importance beyond the borders of England. Being invested alongside such men affirmed the 10th Baron's place at the very apex of medieval society.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Induction into the Order of the Garter has always been a matter of solemn ritual, centred at its spiritual home, Saint George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. In the fourteenth century, as today, Knights were invested with the Order’s distinctive regalia, each element rich with symbolism.
The ceremony begins with the administering of an oath to defend the Sovereign and the Order. Each Knight is then invested with the Garter itself, a dark blue velvet strap bearing the motto in gold lettering, traditionally worn on the left leg as a symbol of unity and binding fellowship.
The Knight is subsequently robed in the mantle, a deep blue velvet cloak emblazoned with the shield of Saint George, itself encircled by the Garter. The installation of a new Knight culminates in their personal heraldic banner, helm, and crest being raised above their designated stall in the Chapel’s quire. There it remains for their lifetime, a visible sign of their permanent place in Britain’s most senior order of chivalry.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the Order, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), serves as a timeless defence of the founder’s noble intentions and a collective commitment to honour that transcends personal ambition. This ancient motto powerfully complements the personal and House mottoes that define the Barony of Brattleby today.
The Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), speaks to the enduring resilience and integrity required to sustain a noble lineage. This fortitude was demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle, while honour was personified by the unimpeachable piety and diplomacy of Henry of Grosmont himself.
This is further harmonised by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which introduces a dynamic, Continental emphasis on purpose and achievement. Together, these three mottoes form a philosophical triad: the shared honour of the Garter, the steadfast fortitude of the House, and the modern imperative to strive and succeed.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical legacy of chivalry, founded on the principle of protecting the weak, provides the moral framework for the House’s modern activities. The duties of a Knight in the fourteenth century find their contemporary expression in a deep-seated commitment to philanthropy, translating historical honour into tangible support for the vulnerable.
This ethos is most clearly channelled through the House’s patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic and psychological support to children across the United Kingdom who have been affected by trauma, loss, and conflict. The choice of beneficiary reflects a belief that modern nobility has a profound duty to safeguard the well-being of the next generation.
The Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal philanthropic endeavour, serves as the primary fundraising vehicle for this vital work. The white-tie gala gathers a community of benefactors in London, reaffirming that the spirit of service embodied by Henry of Grosmont continues to inspire positive action today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the profound connection to the 10th Baron, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — “Henry of Grosmont’s legacy is a powerful reminder that titles carry not just privilege but a profound duty of service. The principles of the Order of the Garter—loyalty, courage, and faith—are the quiet covenant we hold with those who came before us and those who will follow. They are the very essence of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who brings a uniquely European perspective to the House, added: — “To look back at the life of the 10th Baron is to understand that legacy is not a static inheritance; it is an active pursuit. His standing as a peer of the realm, and indeed in Europe, was earned through action and dedication. It is this spirit of active contribution that we strive to carry forward in all our present-day endeavours, for to conquer modern challenges is to truly live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical continuum of service, from the chivalry of Henry of Grosmont to the active philanthropy of today, provides a clear and enduring purpose for The Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment extends to preparing the next generation for the responsibilities they will one day inherit.
The House’s educational initiatives, most notably The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are central to this forward-looking mission. The academy is dedicated to fostering in young leaders a strong sense of social grace, civic responsibility, and the timeless principles of honour that have defined the Barony. The preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is undertaken with this same sense of solemn duty and long-term vision.
Rooted in its nine centuries of English history yet animated by a modern, Continental dynamism, The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment. It continues to transform a distinguished legacy into a force for tangible, positive impact, ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour resonate for centuries 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 of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation and modern philanthropy. Blending its deep English heritage with a Continental European perspective, the House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, it promotes cultural diplomacy and the enduring values of etiquette and social responsibility, ensuring its historic legacy informs a dynamic future. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of immense historical significance in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in the county, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The title's succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised and published by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, who held the title as the 11th Baron of Brattleby by right of his wife Blanche of Lancaster. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com