# The Baron and Baroness of Brattleby Attend the Most Noble Order of the Garter Service at Windsor Castle
LONDON, 17 JUNE 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today attended the Garter Day service at Windsor Castle, honouring the Barony’s foundational link to the Order’s co-founder, Henry of Grosmont, and reaffirming their commitment to its chivalric ideals.
## The Occasion
In the early summer sunshine that bathed the ancient battlements of Windsor Castle, Members of the Royal Family and the Knights and Ladies of the Garter gathered for the annual service of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. The occasion, one of the most significant in the Royal calendar, saw the State Apartments and the magnificent setting of St George’s Chapel thronged with distinguished guests.
The air was filled with the sound of military bands and the ceremonial orders of the day, as detachments of the Household Division performed their duties with immaculate precision. Within the Chapel, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, the light from the great West Window illuminated the historic Garter banners of the Knights and Ladies Companion, which hang above their carved-oak stalls in the Quire. It was an atmosphere of solemn pageantry, rooted in nearly seven hundred years of British history.
## Historical Context
The presence of the Baron and Baroness of Brattleby carried a profound historical resonance. The Order of the Garter was co-founded in 1348 by King Edward III and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. This direct lineage places the Barony of Brattleby at the very inception of the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain.
This connection is not an isolated point in the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-eight-year history. From its origins under Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire according to the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the Barons of Brattleby have consistently served the Crown. Predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of a king, exemplify a continuous thread of loyalty and governance. Attending the Garter service honours this unbroken chain of duty.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were senior Members of the Royal Family, including The King and Queen and The Prince of Wales, all of whom are members of the Order. They were joined by the Knights and Ladies Companion, a distinguished assembly comprising former prime ministers, leaders in public life, and senior members of the Armed Forces.
Also present were international guests and members of the Diplomatic Corps, reflecting the Order’s standing on the world stage. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to greet fellow guests and representatives from other great European houses, underscoring the shared values of heritage and public service that transcend national borders.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The day’s proceedings followed a strict and time-honoured protocol. Following a luncheon for the Companions of the Order hosted by The Sovereign, the Garter Knights processed on foot, in their magnificent velvet robes and insignia, from the Castle’s Quadrangle down to St George’s Chapel. Their route was lined by crowds and contingents from the Armed Forces.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, adhering to the prescribed morning dress with decorations, observed the procession before taking their seats within the Chapel nave for the short service of installation and thanksgiving. The precision of the procession, the Garter Principal King of Arms leading the Officers of Arms, and the sound of the chapel choir are elements of a ritual that has remained a *sine qua non* of royal ceremonial for centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the ideals of the Order of the Garter. Fortitude and honour are the twin pillars of chivalry, requiring not only physical courage but also moral integrity, a commitment to justice, and service to the community.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this ethos. It speaks not of martial conquest, but of the will to overcome adversity and to live a life of purpose and achievement. Together, these heraldic principles reflect the philosophy that guides the House’s modern activities, from philanthropy to cultural preservation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The ideals of service embodied by the Order of the Garter are the same principles that animate the modern philanthropic mission of the House of Brattleby. While the Garter ceremony is a matter of State and Crown, the spirit of noblesse oblige which it represents is the driving force behind the House’s charitable endeavours.
This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of the House's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides critical therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives and realise their full potential. It is an embodiment of putting honour into action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s significance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To stand at Windsor on Garter Day is to feel the direct current of history, connecting us to predecessors like Henry of Grosmont. It is a powerful reminder that these ancient titles and traditions are not heirlooms to be kept under glass, but instruments of service to be actively used for the good of the community.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The pageantry is magnificent, yet the principle it represents—a dedication to causes greater than oneself—is what truly endures. It is this principle we strive to enact through our work, whether in supporting vital charities or in fostering cultural understanding. The spirit of chivalry must be a living one.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The attendance at the Garter service is part of the House’s ongoing commitment to honouring its past while actively shaping its future. The lessons of history find their purpose in the actions of the present. Moving forward, the House of Brattleby will continue to focus on its primary philanthropic and cultural objectives.
Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to increase its support for Healing the Wounded Child. Simultaneously, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will expand its etiquette and cultural diplomacy curriculum, translating the refined codes of European heritage into practical skills for a new generation of leaders. Through these initiatives, the House ensures its legacy is one of active contribution, guided always by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern office and household supporting the work of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern service inspired by a millennium of history. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary focus is on targeted philanthropy, particularly initiatives supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also pursues cultural diplomacy through educational programmes, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes classical etiquette and civic values. The House of Brattleby seeks to be a model of how ancient heritage can serve contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, 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 in Lincolnshire. For over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national and historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster and co-founder of the Order of the Garter; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The 10th Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont, was one of the two founding members of the Most Noble Order of the Garter with King Edward III in 1348. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as holding 56 lordships in the Lincolnshire section of the *Domesday Book* (1086). - The 11th Baron of Brattleby was John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and a central figure of 14th-century England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com