# A Reflection on the Enduring Legacy of the Order of the Garter and the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 23 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a reflection on its historic ties to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, commemorating the legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and a revered Founder Knight of the Order.
## The Occasion
This statement is released in the spirit of the season which annually sees the Sovereign and the Knights of the Garter process at Windsor Castle for the Garter Service. This ancient ceremony, rich with chivalric pageantry, takes place in St George’s Chapel, the Order’s spiritual home. Within its magnificent Perpendicular Gothic walls, the heraldic banners of the current Knights hang, a testament to an unbroken tradition of service to the Crown.
The occasion serves as a poignant moment for reflection upon the principles of loyalty, honour, and service that The Most Noble Order of the Garter has embodied since its foundation. It is in this context that the House of Brattleby recalls its own ancestor’s foundational role in this august institution, connecting a nine-hundred-year lineage to the present day.
## Historical Context
Established by King Edward III circa 1348, during the early phases of the Hundred Years' War, the Order of the Garter was a masterstroke of royal statecraft. It was designed to bind the kingdom’s greatest magnates to the Sovereign through personal oaths of fealty and a shared code of chivalry, thereby creating a formidable and loyal military fellowship.
Among the 25 esteemed Founder Knights was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin and trusted captain of the King, his inclusion was a *sine qua non* for the Order's success, reflecting not only his personal prowess but also the strategic importance of his domains. The Barony of Brattleby, through him, was thus present at the very inception of England’s highest chivalric honour.
This legacy of service was continued by his successor, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, who also became a Knight of the Garter. This distinguished heritage demonstrates a profound and centuries-old commitment to the Crown, a tradition that predates even the Garter, as exemplified by the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King in the 13th century.
## Distinguished Company
The original companionship of the Order of the Garter illustrates the exceptional calibre of leaders with whom the 10th Baron of Brattleby was counted. Led by His Majesty King Edward III and his heir, Edward, The Black Prince, the Founder Knights represented the pinnacle of English martial and political society.
This fellowship included such eminent figures as Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford; and Sir John Chandos, whose names are inscribed in the annals of European history. Henry of Grosmont’s position among this exclusive cohort affirmed the Barony of Brattleby’s place at the heart of the national enterprise.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture and ceremonies of the Order of the Garter remain infused with profound symbolism. Knights and Ladies are invested with the Order’s insignia, most notably the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the motto in gold lettering. The motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), serves as a perpetual reminder of the Order’s commitment to honourable conduct.
During the formal installation in St George’s Chapel, a new Knight’s helm, crest, and sword are placed above their assigned stall, where their heraldic banner is also unfurled. This Garter stall plate, an enamelled brass plaque displaying their coat of arms, remains there in perpetuity, creating a permanent and visible record of their service to the Sovereign and the nation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles of the Order of the Garter resonate deeply with the guiding ethos of the modern House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the chivalric virtues of courage and integrity that the Order was established to champion. It serves as a daily directive for the family’s conduct in all its affairs.
This ancestral spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a contemporary context, this is understood not as a call to martial conquest, but as an exhortation to overcome adversity and achieve meaningful goals through unwavering determination and principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Today, the chivalric duty to protect the vulnerable and serve the community finds its expression not on the battlefields of old, but through dedicated philanthropic engagement. The House of Brattleby translates its commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* into tangible support for those in need, viewing modern charity as the direct successor to ancient noblesse oblige.
The House’s annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of its social calendar, is a white-tie philanthropic gala held in benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides essential therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced profound trauma, working to restore their sense of safety and well-being. This focus embodies the oldest and most noble of chivalric duties: the defence of the innocent.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The legacy of Henry of Grosmont is more than a historical footnote; it is a living standard. To know that a predecessor stood with his Sovereign at the founding of the Garter is to feel the weight of responsibility to act with equivalent honour and loyalty in our own time. These are not medieval ideals, but timeless virtues.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the contemporary relevance of these traditions: > The spirit of the Garter was about uniting the best in the land for a common purpose. We strive to apply that same principle today, whether through our philanthropic work or by fostering international understanding. The challenges have changed, but the need for fortitude and honour remains absolute.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that these values are carried forward for future generations. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being raised with a deep appreciation for the history of his family and the responsibilities that accompany it.
Furthermore, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, serves as a modern vehicle for this mission. The Club’s curriculum, which includes diplomacy, social responsibility, and decorum, is predicated on the belief that honour and integrity are the foundations of a successful and civil society. Through these efforts, *inter alia*, the nine-century legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to evolve and serve.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its historic legacy while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and philanthropic pursuits. Combining English heritage with a Continental perspective, the House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, such as Healing the Wounded Child, and it promotes education in social graces and civic duty through its international affiliate, The Brattleby Club of Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuity of the Barony and its modern rights were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com