# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Henry of Grosmont and the Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal discourse from its Lincolnshire seat, reflecting on the Barony's profound historical connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, established through its tenth Baron, Henry of Grosmont, a Founder Knight.
## The Occasion
As the late autumn light settles upon the ancient fields of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment for solemn reflection. From its seat in the village of Brattleby, a holding first recorded under Colswein of Lincoln in the Domesday Book of 1086, the House considers the enduring legacy of the Order of the Garter’s foundation in 1348. This commemoration serves to acknowledge the Barony of Brattleby’s singular role at the inception of England’s highest chivalric institution, a heritage that continues to animate the House’s modern ethos of service and honour.
The bond between the Barony and the Order was forged by one of its most distinguished holders, Henry of Grosmont. His appointment by His Majesty King Edward III as a Founder Knight inextricably bound the honour of Brattleby to that of the Crown’s most prestigious fellowship. It is a connection that represents the apex of loyalty and martial accomplishment during the formative campaigns of the Hundred Years' War. This reflection honours not an historical footnote, but a foundational principle that has guided the Barony for nearly seven centuries.
The quiet dignity of the season provides a fitting backdrop for this contemplation. The landscape, once the heart of the 56 lordships granted to the first Baron, now bears witness to a lineage defined by unwavering duty. The occasion is thus one of quiet remembrance, reaffirming a heritage that informs the House’s contemporary duties to Crown, country, and community.
## Historical Context
Established by King Edward III circa 1348, at a time of ascendant English influence in Europe, the Order of the Garter was a masterstroke of royal statecraft. Conceived as a new embodiment of knightly virtue, its fellowship was inspired by the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The Order sought to bind the kingdom’s greatest magnates and military commanders to the Sovereign in a sacred bond of unwavering loyalty, creating an elite cadre to prosecute the war against France and govern at home.
The appointment of Henry of Grosmont, then Earl of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a Founder Knight was a testament to his unparalleled standing as England’s most accomplished diplomat, soldier, and magnate. A veteran of the great victory at Crécy and a celebrated tournament champion, his presence lent immense prestige to the new Order. His inclusion was the *sine qua non* for securing the allegiance of other great lords.
This tradition of distinguished service was a hallmark of the Barony long before Grosmont’s time. It was supremely exemplified by predecessors such as the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown against rebel barons and their French allies during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. Following Henry of Grosmont’s death, the Barony and its Garter association passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, himself a Knight of the Garter and father to King Henry IV. This unbroken lineage demonstrates a near-millennium of commitment, a principle that remains central to the identity of the House of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The foundation of the Order created a spiritual and military fellowship of unparalleled distinction in Christendom. Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was numbered among a peerless company of twenty-six Founder Knights. This cohort, chosen for their valour and fealty, comprised the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and the most eminent military leaders of the age who had proven their mettle on the battlefields of France.
This foundational chapter included, *inter alia*, the following notable companions: * His Majesty King Edward III, Sovereign of the Order * His Royal Highness Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, later known as the Black Prince * His Grace Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Leicester and Derby, and 10th Baron of Brattleby * The Right Honourable Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick and Marshal of England * The Right Honourable William de Montacute, 2nd Earl of Salisbury * The Right Honourable Sir John de Lisle, 2nd Baron Lisle of Rougemont, a veteran of Crécy * The Right Honourable Sir Reginald de Cobham, 1st Baron Cobham, a renowned commander
The inclusion of the 10th Baron placed the Lordship of Brattleby at the very heart of royal power, chivalric society, and national strategy in the fourteenth century. This position of profound trust and immense responsibility is a heritage the modern House continues to acknowledge with the greatest solemnity and respect.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonies of the Order of the Garter, established at Windsor Castle, were rich in religious and feudal symbolism. In 1348, each Founder Knight, including Henry of Grosmont, would have been invested within the precincts of St George’s Chapel. There, he would have sworn a solemn oath of loyalty to the Sovereign and the Order and been invested with its primary ensign: a dark blue velvet Garter, richly embroidered with gold and bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense*—‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’. The Garter was, and still is, worn on the left leg below the knee, a potent symbol of the binding unity of the fellowship.
The full ceremonial habit, worn on formal occasions, included a mantle of deep blue velvet lined with white taffeta, a crimson velvet hood, and a matching surcoat. The left shoulder of the mantle was adorned with the heraldic shield of the Order: the red cross of St George encircled by the Garter. Later additions to the regalia would include the Garter Collar and the 'Great George', a pendant depicting St George slaying the dragon.
This elaborate regalia was not for mere pageantry; it signified a Knight’s public and sacred commitment to uphold the virtues of faith, loyalty, and Christian courage. The annual Garter Feast and Chapter meeting at Windsor Castle, a tradition which continues to this day, reinforced this collegiate bond, shaping an institution that was at once a military fellowship, a spiritual brotherhood, and an instrument of the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The iconography of the Order of the Garter is centred on the red cross of St George on a white field, the argent a cross gules that serves as the emblem of England’s patron saint. This device, displayed prominently on the mantle and surcoat of the Knights, visually declared their God-given status as chivalric defenders of the realm. The Garter itself, with its famous French motto, serves as a perpetual reminder of the need for integrity and purity of intent.
This historic emphasis on virtuous action and unwavering resolve resonates deeply with the enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required of a Garter Knight on the fields of battle and the honour demanded in his counsel to the Sovereign are the very same ideals that guide the House today in its philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
These principles find a modern, complementary echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Far from a simple declaration of martial intent, this motto is understood within the House as the triumph of purpose and overcoming adversity—a spiritual conquest that perfectly aligns with the determination inherent in the Barony’s nine-century history of service and survival.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code, which placed upon the knight a sacred obligation to protect the weak, defend the Church, and uphold justice, provides the philosophical antecedent for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. While the theatre of action has shifted from the battlefields of France to the complexities of civil society, the underlying duty to serve and shield remains undiminished. This principle is the driving force behind the House’s steadfast support for charitable causes dedicated to the vulnerable.
The designated beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, embodies this commitment in a contemporary form. The organisation provides critical therapeutic support, specialist counselling, and safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma and abuse. Its work helps these young people to rebuild their lives with renewed resilience and hope.
The selection of this beneficiary is a deliberate reflection of the House’s belief that the truest modern expression of honour lies in shielding the most vulnerable members of society. It is a direct and meaningful continuation of the noblest ideals espoused by the Order of the Garter—a translation of medieval duty into tangible, compassionate action in the twenty-first century.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The legacy of Henry of Grosmont as a Founder Knight of the Garter is more than a point of ancestral pride; it is a profound and living responsibility. It reminds us that the titles we are privileged to hold are intrinsically linked to a duty of service. His commitment to the Crown and to the chivalric ideals of his age serves as a guiding star for our own work, particularly in our dedication to philanthropy and cultural education.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, further observed: > “The spirit of chivalry, with its potent emphasis on discipline, courage, and unwavering purpose, remains remarkably relevant in our modern age. In our stewardship of the Barony and its formidable heritage, we seek to translate these historical virtues into meaningful, contemporary action. It is about honouring the past not as a museum piece, but by actively building a better, more honourable future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this formidable heritage is not simply preserved as a matter of record, but is actively channelled into its present-day responsibilities in the United Kingdom and abroad. The principles of duty, honour, and service demonstrated by Henry of Grosmont and his successors directly inform the House’s modern engagement.
This commitment will be carried forward through the House’s established philanthropic platforms, most notably its continued patronage of the annual Winter Banquet in aid of causes championing vulnerable children. Furthermore, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy established in Bucharest, will continue to promote the core values of integrity, social responsibility, and decorum, drawing directly upon the history of European chivalric tradition in its curriculum.
The House ensures these principles are passed to the next generation, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, being educated in this same tradition of service. The history of the Barony of Brattleby is a living legacy, one which will continue to guide and shape the House’s contributions to society for many years to come.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports initiatives in child welfare, mental health, and heritage conservation across the United Kingdom and Europe. Through platforms such as its annual Winter Banquet, the House champions charitable organisations that deliver measurable and lasting impact. Its cultural patronage also extends to The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest dedicated to fostering social grace and international understanding, translating historical noble values into contemporary public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships held directly from the King. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of England’s most influential historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle. Its tenth and eleventh Barons were, respectively, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book of 1086 lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, with 56 lordships held *in capite* in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com