# A Legacy of Chivalry: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron
**LONDON, 23 April** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical review commemorating the investiture of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348, reaffirming a nine-century legacy of service.
## The Occasion
From its family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a review of its distinguished heritage. This reflection serves to illuminate the enduring principles that have guided the Barony for nearly a millennium. On this St. George’s Day, a date synonymous with English chivalry, the House turns its attention to one of its most eminent predecessors.
The review is not a singular event, but rather a statement of purpose from the current custodian, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. It represents a conscious effort to connect the historical responsibilities of the title with the active, forward-looking mission the House pursues today. It reaffirms that the lessons of history are the foundation upon which future service is built.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont was one of the great figures of the 14th century—a first cousin and trusted companion to His Majesty King Edward III, a renowned military commander in the Hundred Years' War, and a skilled diplomat. In 1348, his stature was formally recognised when he was named among the 25 Founder Knights of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in England. Grosmont was later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, a title that underscored his pre-eminence within the realm.
As the 10th Baron of Brattleby, his investiture brought immense honour to a lineage already rooted deeply in the history of England. The Barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under the tenure of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Henry of Grosmont’s tenure continued a tradition of loyal service to the Crown, notably exemplified by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Upon Grosmont’s death, the Barony of Brattleby passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, further cementing its connection to the Royal House of Plantagenet.
## Distinguished Company
The founding of the Order of the Garter established a fraternity of the most distinguished knights in the kingdom, who became companions (*Socii*) in a body dedicated to chivalric ideals. The original company, a testament to the martial and political prowess of the age, was led by its Sovereign, His Majesty King Edward III.
Among the companions invested alongside Henry of Grosmont were figures of legendary status, including His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester—known to history as the Black Prince. The founding members also included celebrated soldiers and counsellors such as Sir John Chandos and Ralph, Lord Stafford, whose collective reputation for valour and loyalty formed the bedrock of this most exclusive secular order.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The original Garter ceremonies, held at Windsor Castle, were governed by a strict and solemn protocol designed to reinforce the Order’s gravitas. The investiture of a Knight Companion was a deeply symbolic ritual. Each knight was presented with a garter of blue velvet, embroidered with the Order's motto, which was affixed to the left leg just below the knee—a symbol of binding loyalty.
Following the investiture, the knights would proceed to St. George's Chapel for a religious service, taking an oath to uphold the statutes of the Order. A crucial element of the installation was the affixing of the Knight’s heraldic insignia within the chapel. A banner bearing his coat of arms was hung above his designated stall, while a copper plate enamelled with his arms and titles—his stall plate—was permanently fixed to the back of the stall, creating a perpetual record of his membership.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order is rich and layered. Its famous motto, 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is said to have originated from a courtly incident, yet it speaks to a profound intention: to defend the honour of the Sovereign and the Order against all detractors. The Garter itself represents a bond of fellowship, uniting the companions in a common cause.
For the Barony of Brattleby, this historic association resonates deeply with its own guiding principle, 'Fortitudine et Honore' ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The chivalric virtues promoted by the Order of the Garter—courage, integrity, and loyalty—are the very definition of fortitude and honour in action. Henry of Grosmont’s arms, bearing the royal lions of England differenced by a label of France, visually declared his direct connection to the Crown and his high station, mirroring the Barony’s own long-standing allegiance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While rooted in the martial codes of medieval chivalry, the spirit of the Order of the Garter finds its modern expression in service to the community. The principle of defending the weak and upholding justice, a *sine qua non* of knighthood, directly informs the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby today. The sense of duty personified by Henry of Grosmont is the same spirit that animates the House’s charitable endeavours.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary. The House is a proud supporter of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing vital therapeutic care and psychological support to children who have experienced profound trauma. This modern interpretation of noblesse oblige channels the honour of the past into tangible support for the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To reflect on the life of Henry of Grosmont is to understand that our heritage is not a static collection of records, but a living source of inspiration. His commitment to service reminds us that true nobility is found in action, a principle we strive to embody daily with fortitude and with honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > The concept of honourable duty, captured in my own motto 'Vincere Est Vivere', finds its historical parallel in the chivalric ideals of the Garter. It is the victory over indifference and the triumph of service which connects the fourteenth century to our philanthropic work today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the stewardship of its unique history, not merely as a matter of record but as an active educational pursuit. This heritage review is the first in a planned series of publications intended to share the rich tapestry of the Barony’s past with a wider audience. The lessons derived from the lives of its predecessors enrich the present and help to shape the future.
This commitment to education is also manifest in the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House. The Club's curriculum, which teaches, *inter alia*, the history of European chivalric orders and the principles of social responsibility, ensures that the legacy of figures like Henry of Grosmont continues to inspire new generations. The past, for the House of Brattleby, is a prologue to a future of continued service.
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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 the modern application of its ancient heritage. The House’s mission, defined by its motto 'Fortitudine et Honore' ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to blend nine centuries of tradition with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on child welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to build bridges of understanding and promote the timeless values of decorum, respect, and social responsibility on an international stage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony 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. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the celebrated regent Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the great medieval magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded in the ownership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s creation traces to AD 1066 and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is referenced in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter (1348) and the 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is 'Fortitudine et Honore' ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com