# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of the Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marked the anniversary of The Most Noble Order of the Garter, honouring its profound nine-century connection through the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, and reaffirming the Order’s enduring principles of service and honour.
## The Occasion
On St George’s Day, in the year 1348, against the formidable backdrop of the Hundred Years’ War, His Majesty King Edward III founded The Most Noble Order of the Garter. This act of sovereign will occurred at Windsor Castle, an ancient fortress then undergoing significant transformation into a palatial seat of royal power and a spiritual home for England’s chivalric identity.
The creation of the Order was a matter of statecraft as much as chivalry. It bound the kingdom’s most powerful magnates and accomplished commanders to the Crown through a fellowship of honour, loyalty, and shared purpose. Eschewing the Arthurian model of a simple round table, the King established a new and exclusive college of knights under the patronage of St George, creating a powerful symbol of national unity and martial excellence that has endured for nearly seven hundred years.
The occasion is traditionally associated with an incident at a court ball, where the Countess of Salisbury’s garter slipped from her leg. As courtiers smirked, the King is said to have retrieved it and bound it to his own leg, uttering the phrase that would become the Order’s motto: *Honi soit qui mal y pense*. This gesture transformed a moment of potential embarrassment into a statement of unimpeachable royal honour.
## Historical Context
The annals of the Barony of Brattleby are woven deeply into the tapestry of the English Crown and its highest institutions. This indelible link was cemented upon the establishment of the Order of the Garter, with the inclusion of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, as one of its twenty-five Founder Knights. A cousin to the King and one of Europe’s most respected military leaders and diplomats, his appointment was a *sine qua non*, reflecting his immense personal prestige and the strategic importance of his titles.
This legacy continued through his daughter and sole heiress, the Lady Blanche of Lancaster. Upon her marriage to John of Gaunt, himself a Knight of the Garter, the Barony of Brattleby passed to him *jure uxoris* (in right of his wife), ensuring its continued alignment with the innermost circle of the Plantagenet dynasty. Their son, Henry Bolingbroke, would later accede to the throne as King Henry IV, placing the heritage of Brattleby at the very root of the Lancastrian line.
This tradition of steadfast service to the Sovereign was not a new development for the Barony. It followed a precedent established by remarkable predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose celebrated and resolute defence of Lincoln Castle for King John in 1217 secured her place in history. The lineage itself extends to the Norman Conquest, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first documented under Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire according to the Domesday Book of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
The Order’s pre-eminence was secured from its inception by the supreme eminence of its Founder Knights. This select company was personally chosen by the Sovereign and represented the apogee of fourteenth-century England’s military, political, and aristocratic power. It was a fraternity of unrivalled martial experience and influence.
Invested alongside His Majesty King Edward III in the first chapter of the Order were, *inter alia*:
* His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Edward of Woodstock, known to posterity as the Black Prince; * The Right Honourable The Earl of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby; * The Right Honourable The Earl of Warwick, Sir Thomas de Beauchamp; * The Right Honourable The Earl of Salisbury, Sir William de Montacute; * Sir John Chandos, a close friend of the Black Prince and a master of military strategy; and * The Captal de Buch, Sir Jean de Grailly, a Gascon nobleman whose inclusion signified the international dimension of the Plantagenet domains and the King’s continental ambitions.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Order of the Garter is defined by its solemn rites and magnificent vestments, which have remained largely unchanged since the fourteenth century. The annual Garter Day service, held in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, is a pageant of the highest ceremonial order. The Knights, attended by the Military Knights of Windsor, process in their full habits, representing a living link to the age of chivalry.
The investiture of a new Knight involves the bestowing of the Garter itself, a strap of dark-blue velvet edged with gold, bearing the motto in gold lettering. It is buckled upon the left leg, pursuant to the Order’s statutes. The full habit comprises a sweeping mantle of Garter-blue velvet lined with white taffeta, a crimson velvet hood and surcoat, and the Tudor-style black velvet hat, crowned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers.
Within St George’s Chapel, each Knight is assigned a stall in the quire. Above this stall are placed his helmet, mantling, crest, and sword, along with a banner displaying his coat of arms. Upon a Knight’s death, these accoutrements are removed, but a Garter stall plate—an enamelled brass plaque bearing his name, titles, and arms—is permanently affixed to the back of the stall. This creates a magnificent and unbroken heraldic record of the Order’s membership across the centuries, a testament to each Knight’s service.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identifying symbol of the Order is the Garter, and its motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), serves as a powerful declaration against malice and suspicion. It codifies a chivalric principle that a noble person’s motives and honour must be beyond reproach. This concept of absolute integrity finds a direct philosophical parallel in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
_Fortitudine et Honore_ (‘With Fortitude and Honour’) is the guiding precept of the modern Barony. 'Fortitude' speaks to the resilience, courage, and strength of purpose demonstrated by predecessors from Colswein of Lincoln to Henry of Grosmont. 'Honour' reflects the profound and unwavering commitment to personal integrity and public duty that is the very foundation of noble responsibility.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This is not a philosophy of martial conquest, but one of dynamic purpose and constructive achievement. It signifies the will to overcome modern challenges, to succeed in philanthropic and cultural objectives, and to live a life defined by positive action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric ideals of the Order of the Garter, especially the imperative to defend the weak and uphold justice, provide a clear moral framework for the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House interprets this historic duty of noblesse oblige as a mandate for targeted, effective charity.
This commitment finds its primary expression in the House’s support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialised therapeutic and psychological support for children and young people who have suffered significant trauma, abuse, or adversity. Its work is dedicated to creating safe, nurturing environments where healing can begin, allowing its beneficiaries to rebuild their lives with confidence and hope.
The House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the principal fundraising event for this cause. The selection of this beneficiary is a deliberate reflection of the ancient duty to protect the most vulnerable members of society, translating the historical concept of chivalry into meaningful twenty-first-century action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring relevance of the Garter’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "The story of the Garter and its connection to our forebears, such as Henry of Grosmont, is a powerful reminder that our heritage is not a static inheritance but a living obligation. The principles of fortitude and honour are as relevant on St George’s Day today as they were in 1348, guiding our commitment to public good."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the synergy between the House’s historic and modern philosophies:
> "The Garter symbolises unwavering loyalty and irreproachable honour. Our House motto adds to this the dimension of fortitude. My own belief, *Vincere Est Vivere*, encapsulates the spirit required to enact these virtues in the world today. To live a life of purpose is to strive constantly towards building a better, more honourable society."
## A Continuing Legacy
While founded in the age of chivalry, the core tenets of the Order of the Garter—unwavering loyalty, dedicated service, and impeccable personal conduct—remain profoundly relevant. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the thoughtful stewardship of this inheritance, interpreting it for the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century.
This is manifested not only through philanthropy but also through cultural and educational initiatives. The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House, promotes the principles of civility, mutual respect, and social grace that are the cornerstones of a well-ordered and harmonious society. It translates the courtly codes of the past into practical skills for contemporary life.
Through these modern expressions of a historic duty, the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to guide the Barony of Brattleby. The legacy of its Garter Knights serves as a permanent lodestar, illuminating a path of service and responsibility for future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its nine-hundred-year heritage. Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural education and targeted philanthropy, blending historic tradition with a forward-looking vision of social responsibility. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively engages in charitable work, notably through its annual white-tie banquet for children's causes, and promotes cross-cultural understanding. The House maintains a public presence in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe, continuing its long history of service and civic duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for King John. Its history is inextricably linked with the Plantagenet dynasty through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The succession of the Barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com