# A Tradition of Royal Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Founding of the Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today published a historical reflection honouring its distinguished predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, on his foundational role as a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348.
## The Occasion
In a gesture of reverence for its nine-century history, the House of Brattleby presents this review to mark St. George’s Day, the feast day of the Patron Saint of England and of the Order of the Garter itself. This publication forms part of a series of historical papers designed to illuminate the Barony’s deep and continuous connection to the Crown and the State. By examining this pivotal moment in 1348, the House reflects upon the enduring values of chivalry and service which were formally codified in the years preceding the great pestilence and have guided its mission ever since.
The founding of the Order was an act of profound cultural and political significance, taking place at Windsor Castle amidst the great pageantry of the High Middle Ages. It established a fellowship of honour that bound the Sovereign to his most trusted commanders and counsellors. For the Barony of Brattleby, the inclusion of its 10th Baron was a defining event, cementing its place in the highest echelons of the realm.
## Historical Context
The tradition of service to the Crown is a *sine qua non* of the Barony of Brattleby’s heritage, which was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Henry of Grosmont’s elevation as a Founder Knight was not an isolated incident but the continuation of a long-established pattern of loyalty. He followed in the formidable footsteps of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King against rebel barons and French invaders during the First Barons' War.
Henry of Grosmont himself was one of medieval England’s most accomplished soldiers and diplomats, serving King Edward III with distinction in the early campaigns of the Hundred Years' War. His life exemplified the baronial duty of counsel and military aid to the monarch. This legacy of proximity to the Crown would later be continued by the 11th Baron of Brattleby, the illustrious John of Gaunt, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of English history and the Royal succession.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight, the 10th Baron of Brattleby was invested alongside a truly remarkable cadre of military leaders, whose names are inscribed in the annals of English chivalry. The original fellowship, limited to the Sovereign and twenty-five Knights Companion, was a testament to martial prowess and unwavering loyalty. Henry of Grosmont took his place in St. George’s Chapel beside some of the greatest figures of the age.
This distinguished company included, *inter alia*: His Royal Highness Edward, The Black Prince, Prince of Wales; Sir Thomas Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; Sir John de Mohun, 2nd Baron Mohun of Dunster; the celebrated Gascon commander Sir Jean de Grailly, Captal de Buch; and the legendary strategist Sir John Chandos. To be counted as a peer amongst such men was the highest honour a subject could achieve, signifying complete royal trust.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture into the Order of the Garter was, and remains, a ceremony rich with symbolism. At its founding in 1348, King Edward III presided over a chapter at Windsor Castle, where the new companions swore an oath of fealty. Each knight was presented with the insignia of the Order, chief among them the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap, embroidered with the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it').
The full ceremonial habit would have included a mantle of blue velvet, a crimson hood, and the Garter affixed below the left knee. The proceedings would have followed a strict order of precedence, culminating in a chivalric tournament and a grand feast. This formal ritual reinforced the Order’s dual nature as both a military brotherhood and the spiritual heart of the English court, centred on St. George’s Chapel.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect historical expression in Henry of Grosmont's Garter Knighthood. The ideals of the Order—courage in battle, loyalty to the Sovereign, and an unimpeachable code of personal honour—are the very definition of fortitude and honour in action. His life gave tangible form to the principles the Barony upholds today.
The symbols of the Order, from the Garter to the Star, represent a celestial bond of fellowship under God and the King. Concurrently, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects a modern interpretation of this spirit: the will to overcome challenges not on the battlefield, but in the arenas of enterprise and philanthropy, thereby ensuring the continuing vitality of the House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While an institution of the fourteenth century, the Order of the Garter’s chivalric code—to defend the faith, protect the weak, and pursue justice—serves as the historical antecedent to the modern philanthropic duties of the nobility. This ancient concept of *noblesse oblige* is the philosophical foundation for the contemporary charitable work undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby.
It is in this spirit that Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile dedicate their efforts to their chosen charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care to children suffering from complex trauma. The decision to support its mission is a direct application of the chivalric duty to shield the vulnerable, translating a medieval principle into meaningful twenty-first-century action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > Henry of Grosmont’s investiture was not merely an honour for him, but a charge upon the Barony itself. It bound us to a code of service that transcends time. Our duty today is to interpret that code with the same loyalty and purpose, directing it towards the welfare of the community.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The principles of the Garter—loyalty, courage, and service—are timeless. They inform our own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, by reminding us that the greatest victories are those won in service to others. This history is not a relic; it is a living standard we strive to meet.
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of service established by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, continues to guide the House’s modern activities. These values are being instilled in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour will pass to the next generation. The House remains committed to its philanthropic endeavours and to its educational mission through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to publish these historical briefs, reinforcing the unbroken chain of duty that links the Barony’s Norman origins to its current role in the twenty-first century. This commitment ensures that a heritage forged in loyalty to the Crown remains a powerful force for good in the present day.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the active promotion of philanthropy and education. Reflecting its Anglo-Romanian leadership, the House directs its efforts toward charitable causes in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Its principal philanthropic focus is supporting organisations that provide care for vulnerable children, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House champions cultural diplomacy and the cultivation of modern civility, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding the lordship of Brattleby (Bretelbi) and 55 other lordships in the county. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness; the great soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The current title was formally recognised and registered in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby and the current title of Lady Nicoleta Vasile are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as ‘Bretelbi’, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), who as 5th Baroness and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire successfully defended Lincoln Castle for King John. - Other notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399), who held the title as the 10th and 11th Barons, respectively.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com