# A Statement on the Enduring Legacy of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection upon its profound historical connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, through the person of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile offer this reflection at a time of year traditionally associated with the Order’s ceremonies. This statement serves as a moment of contemplation on the continuity of service and honour that has defined the Barony for nearly a millennium. It is an acknowledgement of a heritage that does not merely reside in the past, but actively informs the House’s present duties and future commitments.
The Barony of Brattleby, rooted in the landscape of Lincolnshire since the Norman Conquest, thus pauses to recognise a pivotal moment in its history. The inclusion of one of its own as a founder knight of England’s most senior Order of Chivalry represents a foundational principle of the House: that title and land are inseparable from duty to the Crown and nation.
## Historical Context
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was instituted by His Majesty King Edward III in 1348, at a time of both national confidence following the victory at Crécy and profound social upheaval. The Order was conceived to bind the kingdom’s greatest military leaders to the Sovereign through a fellowship modelled on the fabled Knights of the Round Table. Its establishment was a masterstroke of royal statecraft, creating a new pinnacle of chivalric attainment.
Among the 25 founder knights was Henry of Grosmont, a cousin of the King, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the 10th Baron of Brattleby. A formidable commander and diplomat, his presence at the Order’s inception intrinsically linked the Barony to this most exclusive circle. This connection solidified a long-standing tradition of service that included formidable predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and later, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The founding companionship of the Order of the Garter represented the very flower of English nobility and military leadership. Presided over by its Sovereign, His Majesty King Edward III, the fellowship included commanders of international renown who had proven their valour on the battlefields of France.
Henry of Grosmont, Lord of Brattleby, stood in the company of such distinguished figures as His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; the Earl of Warwick; Sir John Chandos; and the Captal de Buch. This gathering was not merely a roll call of the powerful, but a sworn brotherhood dedicated to the highest ideals of courage, piety, and loyalty. Their legacy established a benchmark for honour that has echoed through the centuries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The traditions of the Order of the Garter are imbued with deep solemnity and precise ceremonial protocol, centred upon its spiritual home, St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The installation of a new Knight Companion is a rite of great significance, involving the bestowal of the Order’s unique insignia. These include the Garter itself, a dark blue velvet strap bearing the motto; the Mantle, a vast robe of blue velvet; and the elaborate gold Collar.
The annual Garter Day service remains a key event in the nation’s ceremonial calendar. Her Majesty The Queen, as Sovereign of the Order, presides over a procession of the Knights and Ladies Companion, all attired in their full regalia. This procession from the castle precincts to the chapel is a living display of heraldry and tradition, a direct link to the rites established by King Edward III and the 10th Baron of Brattleby nearly 700 years ago.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order of the Garter is famously encapsulated in its motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*—‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’. These words serve as a defiant defence of the founder’s noble intentions. This principle of acting with unimpeachable honour finds a direct parallel in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore*, or ‘With Fortitude and Honour’.
Together, these mottos articulate a shared philosophy. While the Garter’s motto defends honour, the Brattleby motto prescribes the active virtues required to achieve it. This synergy is further complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which translates the historical imperative of martial victory into a modern commitment to overcoming challenges with determination and integrity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval code of chivalry, a *sine qua non* for a Knight of the Garter, charged its members with the sacred duty of protecting the weak and defenceless. Though the expression of this duty has evolved, the underlying principle remains central to the ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House interprets this historic obligation through its modern philanthropic activities.
The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, stands as the cornerstone of this commitment. Its primary beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. The choice of this beneficiary is a direct and deliberate translation of the chivalric duty of protection into tangible, contemporary action, offering solace and support to the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “When one considers the legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont, one feels not the weight of history, but the strength of continuity. His commitment to the Crown set a standard of service that we, in our own way, strive to uphold. It is a reminder that honour is a verb, an action to be renewed by every generation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The spirit of the Order of the Garter was about binding together the best in service of a higher ideal. Today, whether through our philanthropic work or the educational mission of The Brattleby Club, that same spirit endures. It is about equipping the next generation with the principles of etiquette and ethics, which are the modern armour of an honourable life.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby views this distinguished heritage as a living guidepost, not a historical artefact. The principles embodied by the 10th Baron’s inclusion in the Order of the Garter are being passed to the next generation, *inter alia*, through the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
The House’s future commitments—from the charitable focus of the Annual Winter Banquet to the cultivation of Continental standards of etiquette at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest—are all facets of a single mission. They are modern expressions of *Fortitudine et Honore*, ensuring that the nearly thousand-year-old legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to serve society with purpose and distinction.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to stewarding a unique blend of English heritage and Continental perspective. The House's modern mission is centred on upholding the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through active philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal charitable focus is supporting 'Healing the Wounded Child', reflecting a deep commitment to social responsibility. Through initiatives such as its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the timeless values of courtesy, integrity, and social grace. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), a founder knight of the Order of the Garter and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror for Colswein of Lincoln, as documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Distinguished predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (1348), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The Noble House of Brattleby's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, supported by its Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com