# A Legacy of Chivalry: The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects upon the Enduring Influence of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron
LONDON, 23 April — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical review commemorating the legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, underscoring his profound influence upon the Barony’s nine-century commitment to chivalry.
## The Occasion
In a statement released from its Lincolnshire seat, the House of Brattleby marked the season of Saint George by reflecting upon one of its most distinguished predecessors. This commemorative review serves to connect the Barony’s medieval heritage with its contemporary mission. The timing honours the traditions of the Order of the Garter, which historically convenes around St George's Day, creating a moment for reflection on the concepts of service, honour, and national duty that the Order—and the Barony—continue to champion.
## Historical Context
The conferral of the Order of the Garter upon Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, in 1348 represented a zenith in the Barony’s long history of service to the Crown. As the 10th Baron of a lineage extending back to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in the county as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, Henry embodied the martial and diplomatic prowess for which the family was known. His tenure stood upon the formidable precedent set by ancestors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds.
Henry’s investiture as a founding Knight placed the Barony at the very heart of the English court during the early stages of the Hundred Years' War. It was a distinction that acknowledged not only his personal valour but also the strategic importance of the Barony of Brattleby. His legacy was subsequently passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby, ensuring the continuation of this direct link to the sovereign.
## Distinguished Company
In his elevation, the 10th Baron joined the most exclusive circle of chivalry in Christendom. The original company of the Order of the Garter, limited to just 26 founding members, was led by His Majesty King Edward III and his heir, His Royal Highness Edward, the Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince. This fraternity of knights included England’s most celebrated military commanders, *inter alia*, the Earl of Warwick, Sir John Chandos, and Sir Walter Manny, whose collective prowess defined the era.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Induction into the Order of the Garter was, and remains, a ceremony of immense solemnity, governed by ancient protocol. As a founding member, Henry of Grosmont would have been invested by the Sovereign with the Order's primary emblem: a dark blue velvet garter, edged with gold and bearing its motto in gold lettering. This was worn on the left leg, a custom established at the Order’s inception.
The full ceremonial habit includes the Garter Star, the Collar of gold and enamel, and a deep blue velvet mantle with a crimson velvet hood. The order of proceedings for the annual Garter Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, follows a precise ritual, where Knights process in order of precedence, a testament to the structured and hierarchical world of medieval chivalry that the 10th Baron inhabited.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The iconography of the Order of the Garter is rich with meaning. Its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), serves as a defiant statement of noble intention. This sentiment resonates profoundly with the guiding principle of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which has informed the family’s conduct for centuries.
These historical mottos are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Together, they form a triptych of values: honour in action, resilience in adversity, and the pursuit of meaningful victory through service. These principles are the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s identity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code, which demanded the protection of the weak and the pursuit of justice, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The spirit of service embodied by Henry of Grosmont is the direct antecedent of the House's contemporary charitable commitments.
This is most visibly demonstrated through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House’s primary charitable endeavour. The gala’s sole beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. This focus reflects a modern interpretation of the ancient vow to defend the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The thread of service runs unbroken through nine centuries of our family’s history. Henry of Grosmont’s induction into the Order of the Garter was not merely a personal honour; it was a solemn pledge of duty, a standard we continue to uphold through our modern commitment, *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “To study a figure like the 10th Baron is to understand that true victory—*Vincere Est Vivere*—is found not in conquest, but in principled leadership and steadfast service. His legacy provides an essential blueprint for understanding the Barony’s character today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical tenets of service and honour remain central to the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, ensuring that these values are carried forward. The House actively perpetuates this ethos through its several initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering the principles of decorum, respect, and social grace in a contemporary context.
By commemorating its past, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to a future defined by the same fortitude and honour that distinguished its forebears nearly 700 years ago.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the principle of 'Heritage in Action'. The House bridges its ancient lineage with a forward-looking mission focused on cultural diplomacy, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting children recovering from trauma through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through international initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the timeless values of honour, etiquette, and social responsibility. The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, 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. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most influential figures, including the celebrated castle defender Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the diplomat and soldier Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the Barony to its current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s succession is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby descends from Colswein of Lincoln, who is listed as a tenant-in-chief in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com