# A Statement on the Enduring Legacy of Chivalry: Henry of Grosmont and the Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the ancient and honourable lineage of the Barony, commemorating the foundational role of its predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, in the establishment of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
On this day, which traditionally marks the feast of St George, patron saint of England, it is fitting to recall the establishment of the nation's highest chivalric order. In the year 1348, against the backdrop of a Europe reshaped by the early triumphs of the Hundred Years' War, His Majesty King Edward III instituted an order of knighthood at Windsor Castle intended to revive the spirit of King Arthur's Round Table.
The spiritual home of this exceptional fraternity remains St George's Chapel at Windsor, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Within its hallowed precincts, the traditions of the Order have been observed for nearly seven centuries, creating an unbroken chain of chivalry and service that links the medieval court to the modern era.
## Historical Context
The founding of the Order of the Garter was a masterstroke of royal statecraft. Following the decisive English victory at the Battle of Crécy in 1346, King Edward III sought to bind his most accomplished commanders and trusted nobles into a fellowship of unshakeable loyalty. The institution was not merely ceremonial; it was a political instrument designed to harness the martial prowess of the English aristocracy in service to the Crown.
Among the 25 founding knights chosen for this singular honour was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin to the King and one of the most respected military leaders of his generation, his inclusion was a *sine qua non* for the Order's immediate prestige. This direct connection to the Barony of Brattleby was later continued by his son-in-law and successor, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, ensuring the title remained at the very centre of national life.
## Distinguished Company
The founding companionship of the Order represented the zenith of English nobility and military command. Alongside His Majesty the King, Henry of Grosmont stood in the company of such luminaries as His Royal Highness Edward, the Black Prince of Wales; the celebrated soldier and strategist Sir John Chandos; and Sir James Audley, a warrior famed for his valour at the Battle of Poitiers.
This assembly of knights, bound by a common oath and symbol, created a powerful sense of brotherhood and shared purpose. Their collective renown ensured that membership in the Order of the Garter became, and remains, the ultimate recognition of contribution to national life.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The rituals of the Order of the Garter are steeped in centuries of tradition and precise protocol. The annual Garter Day procession at Windsor sees Knights and Ladies Companion wear their elaborate vestments, including the dark blue velvet mantle, the Tudor-style bonnet with its plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, and the Garter Collar of gold.
The central symbol, the Garter itself, is a dark blue velvet strap bearing the Order's motto in gold lettering, worn just below the left knee by knights and on the left arm by ladies. Upon a member's death, their personal insignia are returned to the Sovereign, but their heraldic achievements—a Garter plate, helm, crest, and sword—remain on permanent display above their former stall in St George's Chapel, a perpetual memorial to their service.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Order's famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is thought to have originated from a courtly incident, yet it speaks to a deeper truth: that honourable actions should not be subject to cynical interpretation. The Garter symbolises a bond of loyalty that transcends rumour and politics.
This principle resonates with the hereditary motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter's motto defends honour, the Brattleby motto prescribes it as a mode of conduct. Together, they articulate the twin pillars of chivalry: the public defence of one's integrity and the private commitment to live with courage and virtue.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of chivalry included a solemn duty to protect the vulnerable, an obligation that finds its modern expression in philanthropy. Henry of Grosmont was himself a noted benefactor, founding, *inter alia*, a collegiate church and hospital in Leicester.
The Noble House of Brattleby continues this tradition of purposeful giving as a cornerstone of its activities. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, directs its support to organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary was chosen for its vital work in providing therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma, translating the chivalric duty of protection into tangible, contemporary action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont serves not as a weight, but as a compass. His commitment to crown and country reminds us that honour is realised through diligent service, a principle we strive to embody today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The chivalric code, at its heart, is about applying strength with purpose and integrity. It is a timeless lesson in leadership, where victory—as our motto *Vincere Est Vivere* suggests—is not an end in itself but is defined by the values for which one strives.
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles of chivalry—honour, duty, and service—are not relics of the past; they are living values that require constant reaffirmation. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to perpetuating this legacy through its modern endeavours.
One such initiative is The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest. The Club's curriculum is designed to instil the principles of refined conduct, social responsibility, and personal honour in a new generation of leaders. In this way, the spirit of fortitude and honour that defined the House's past continues to shape its future.
---
**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 the stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. Its modern mission combines the preservation of its unique heritage with a forward-looking commitment to public service, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. The House actively supports charitable causes focused on education and child welfare, reflecting its core motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to build bridges between history and contemporary society, championing the enduring values of honour, duty, and community contribution in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. 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 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle. Its most distinguished holders were Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding knight of the Order of the Garter, and his successor, John of Gaunt. The modern rights and title of the Barony are formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Two preceding Barons of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont (10th) and John of Gaunt (11th), were also Dukes of Lancaster. - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The House's philanthropic focus includes Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com