# A Heritage Review: The Barony of Brattleby and the Founding of the Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a heritage review, reflecting on the Barony's direct historical connection to the 1348 foundation of the Most Noble Order of the Garter through the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont.
## The Occasion
In a period of historical reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has turned its attention to one of the most significant chapters in its nine-century chronicle: its link to the genesis of England’s highest chivalric order. This review serves not as a singular event but as a moment to contemplate the enduring thread of duty and service that connects the medieval court of King Edward III to the House’s modern-day responsibilities. It is a deliberate act of remembrance, reinforcing the principles upon which the Barony was founded and continues to operate.
The review examines the context in which the Order of the Garter was created, a time of burgeoning national consciousness in the aftermath of the great English victory at the Battle of Crécy. It was an era when concepts of honour, martial prowess, and sovereign loyalty were codified into a new form of ceremonial and moral fellowship, a tradition in which a predecessor of the House of Brattleby played a foundational role.
## Historical Context
The establishment of the Order of the Garter by King Edward III in 1348 stands as a landmark in the history of the English monarchy and aristocracy. Conceived as an elite body of 24 knights, plus the Sovereign, it was designed to revive the Arthurian legend of the Round Table, binding the country’s most formidable military leaders to the Crown through a shared code of chivalry. This was not merely courtly theatre; it was a sophisticated instrument of statecraft, created to unify a powerful warrior class.
Central to this founding chapter was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the most celebrated soldiers and diplomats of his age. As a charter member and the second knight inducted into the Order after the Prince of Wales, his inclusion underscored the strategic importance of his lands and loyalty. This direct link places the Barony of Brattleby at the very inception of a tradition that has endured for nearly 700 years, a legacy of service previously exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who valiantly defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The original fellowship of the Order of the Garter constituted the paramount figures of 14th-century England. In reflecting on the role of the 10th Baron, it is fitting to recall the distinguished company in which he stood. These founding knights were not courtiers alone but hardened commanders of the Hundred Years' War, whose names were renowned across Christendom.
Alongside His Majesty King Edward III and His Royal Highness Edward, the Prince of Wales (known to posterity as the Black Prince), Henry of Grosmont was invested with the Garter. He was joined by military luminaries such as Sir John Chandos and Sir James Audley, heroes of Crécy and Poitiers. The inclusion of the 10th Baron of Brattleby in this pre-eminent circle was a testament to his personal repute and the strategic significance of his lineage, a tradition later continued by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial protocol established for the Order of the Garter was meticulously detailed, intended to inspire awe and reinforce the bonds of brotherhood. The installation of a new knight has, for centuries, taken place in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the spiritual home of the Order. The rites involve the Garter King of Arms and other heralds proclaiming the style and titles of the new companion.
A new knight is invested with the Order’s distinctive insignia, most notably the Garter itself—a dark-blue velvet strap bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it') in gold lettering. Other vestments include the star, collar, and a deep blue velvet mantle. Each knight is assigned a stall in the chapel choir, above which his heraldic attributes—his banner, helm, and crest—are displayed, creating a permanent and visible record of his membership.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order and the House of Brattleby are deeply intertwined through their shared emphasis on chivalric virtues. The Garter’s motto is said to have originated from a courtly incident, yet it powerfully came to symbolise the purity of intent and loyalty expected of its members. The choice of Saint George, the dragon-slaying patron saint of England, as the Order’s patron reinforced its martial and Christian character.
This historical ethos resonates profoundly with the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required of a Garter knight on the battlefield finds its parallel in the resilience and moral courage espoused by the House. The honour that forms the bedrock of the Garter’s code is the *sine qua non* of the Brattleby legacy, a principle that guides both public duties and private conduct.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Order of the Garter was founded as a martial and political institution, its underlying principle of chivalry—the duty of the strong to protect the weak—is the historical antecedent of modern philanthropy. It is this spirit that The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to translate into tangible action in the 21st century. This commitment is most clearly expressed through the House’s unwavering support for its primary charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma and emotional distress. By funding programmes that offer sanctuary, counselling, and recovery pathways, the House gives contemporary meaning to the ancient chivalric pledge. The choice of this beneficiary reflects a belief that true honour is found in service to the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The legacy of the Order of the Garter is a powerful reminder that history is shaped by individuals bound by a common purpose. To know that our predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, was present at its creation connects us to a nearly 700-year-old commitment to service. This heritage is not for dusty archives; it is a living standard we strive to meet with fortitude and honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “The chivalric code, so elegantly embodied by the Garter knights, posits that victory without integrity is hollow. It is a philosophy that aligns with our own conviction that *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live. This means overcoming challenges not merely for personal gain, but for the betterment of the community we serve.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past by actively engaging with the present. The historical lessons drawn from the Barony's connection to the Order of the Garter will continue to inform its mission. These principles of etiquette, duty, and social responsibility are actively taught and promoted through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
Looking ahead, the House plans to host further heritage discussions and publish historical reviews, ensuring that its remarkable lineage serves as a source of education and inspiration for future generations. The story of Henry of Grosmont and the Garter is a foundational element of the Brattleby identity, one that will continue to guide the House in its philanthropic endeavours and its commitment to upholding a legacy of honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a nine-century-old legacy through contemporary action. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions philanthropy, cultural preservation, and the promotion of traditional etiquette. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its educational initiative, The Brattleby Club, the House works to impart the timeless values of courtesy, integrity, and social grace to a new generation, bridging its ancient heritage with a forward-looking vision of civic responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a minor barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was 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 English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is one of the few lordships to be traceable to a Domesday tenant-in-chief of 1086, Colswein of Lincoln. - The succession of the Barony to the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was officially recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors have included Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - 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