# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Barony's Historic Connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon its profound historical connection to the Order of the Garter, established through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the original Founder Knights appointed by King Edward III in 1348.
## The Occasion
In a statement of historical observance, The Noble House of Brattleby marks its ancestral ties to the foundation of the most senior order of chivalry in Great Britain. This connection is not merely a matter of record but a living inheritance that informs the ethos of the House today. The spiritual home of the Order, St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, remains a testament to the enduring vision of its founders.
Constructed in the magnificent Perpendicular Gothic style, the Chapel has for nearly seven centuries served as the focal point for Garter ceremonies. It is within these sacred walls, beneath a canopy of heraldic banners, that the legacy of the founding companions is preserved and celebrated; a legacy in which the Barony of Brattleby holds a distinguished place.
## Historical Context
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was established by King Edward III at a time of great national confidence and martial success during the Hundred Years' War. The King’s intent was to create a body of knights, similar to King Arthur’s Round Table, that bound the country's greatest military leaders to the Crown through personal loyalty and a shared code of honour.
Among this select group was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a formidable commander and one of the King’s most trusted lieutenants. His induction as a Founder Knight directly associated the Barony with the very pinnacle of English chivalry. The connection was remarkably reinforced when his successor, the renowned John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, was also made a Knight of the Garter, ensuring the Barony's presence within this elite circle for successive generations.
## Distinguished Company
The company into which the 10th Baron was inducted was, *inter alia*, the most distinguished in the realm. This assembly of twenty-six Founder Knights, including the Sovereign, constituted the military and political heart of the Plantagenet court.
Alongside Henry of Grosmont stood magnates such as Sir John Chandos, a master of strategy celebrated across Europe; Sir James Audley, renowned for his valour at the Battle of Poitiers; and, most notably, Edward, the Black Prince, Prince of Wales himself. To be counted in their number was the highest honour a subject could achieve.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial traditions of the Order of the Garter have remained remarkably consistent for over 675 years. The annual Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle sees the Knights and Ladies Companion, attired in magnificent deep blue velvet robes and insignia, proceed on foot to St George’s Chapel for the installation service.
Their historic vestments include the Garter itself, worn on the left leg; the star emblazoned with the Cross of St George; the ornate collar of gold; and the plumed velvet hat. Inside the Chapel, each knight occupies a stall in the Quire, above which their personal heraldic banner, helm, and crest are displayed, creating a breathtaking display of medieval pageantry and personal honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Order’s emblem, a blue garter edged with gold, bears the Old French motto: *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). Legend holds that it originated when the King retrieved a lady’s garter at a court ball, rebuking onlookers with the phrase and vowing to make the item an object of immense honour.
This commitment to defending honour, even from a whisper of scandal, resonates deeply with the Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter’s motto is a chivalric defence, the House’s is a proactive declaration. Together, they represent two sides of the same noble coin: a code of conduct demanding unwavering courage married inextricably to personal and public integrity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While founded as a military order, the enduring spirit of the Garter is one of service to the Sovereign and the nation. This principle of duty is the *sine qua non* of nobility and serves as a direct historical precedent for the modern philanthropic commitments that define responsible aristocratic houses today.
The chivalric ideal of protecting the weak and upholding justice finds its contemporary expression in organised charity and civic engagement. The Noble House of Brattleby, through its support for causes such as Healing the Wounded Child, continues this ancient tradition of service, translating the abstract concept of honour into tangible, positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the enduring relevance of this heritage:
> "The legacy of the Garter is a powerful reminder that titles are not heirlooms but living responsibilities. The principles that guided Henry of Grosmont are the same we strive to embody today — service, integrity, and a commitment to uphold the honour of our inheritance for future generations."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal reflection connected to his own motto:
> "The martial prowess celebrated by the Order finds its modern echo in strategic resolve and leadership. *Vincere Est Vivere* — 'To Conquer is to Live' — speaks to overcoming contemporary challenges with the same spirit of determination that defined the Founder Knights."
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical thread connecting the Barony of Brattleby to the very foundation of the Order of the Garter is a source of immense pride and profound responsibility. It is a legacy that is not confined to the pages of history but is actively honoured in the present.
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the principles of courage, honour, and service exemplified by its Garter Knight predecessors continue to guide its actions. From its philanthropic endeavours to the modern educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to ensure that the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains as vibrant today as it was in the fourteenth century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to upholding the ancient principles of honour and service in the twenty-first century. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to cultural preservation, education, and strategic philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is on programmes that support the well-being of vulnerable children, reflecting a core belief in duty and social responsibility. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of decorum and mutual respect. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guiding its mission to create a legacy of positive impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony originating in Lincolnshire, with its creation dating to the Norman Conquest. First granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, it was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Garter; and his successor, John of Gaunt. The modern rights to the Barony were formally noted by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter is through Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), both of whom were early Knights of the Garter. - The Barony of Brattleby is among the lordships recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces in 1217. - The succession of the modern Barony is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com