# A Reflection on a Founding Knight: The Barony of Brattleby and the Order of the Garter
LONDON, 20 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a reflection on the Barony’s profound historical connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, through the person of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a founding Knight.
## The Occasion
As the Knights and Ladies of the Garter assemble at Windsor Castle for the annual Garter Day ceremonies, it offers a moment for poignant reflection upon the foundations of English chivalry. Within the hallowed precincts of St George’s Chapel, the spiritual home of the Order, the banners of its members hang in silent testament to nearly seven centuries of sovereign service. It is in this context of solemn pageantry and historical reverence that the House of Brattleby recalls its own integral role in the Order’s genesis.
This reflection serves not as an assertion of rank, but as a humble acknowledgement of the enduring duties that accompany a title granted in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. The occasion of Garter Day provides a valuable opportunity to contemplate the principles that have guided the Barony through the ages and to reaffirm their relevance in the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
King Edward III established the Order of the Garter in 1348, a time of both martial ambition and societal upheaval during the Hundred Years’ War. He sought to create a fellowship that bound the kingdom’s most distinguished commanders to his person through a shared code of honour, piety, and valour. Among the 25 founding Knights chosen for this signal honour was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and, by his right, the 10th Baron of Brattleby.
A celebrated soldier, diplomat, and a cousin to the King, Grosmont’s inclusion placed the Barony of Brattleby at the very epicentre of the Plantagenet court. This was not a sudden elevation but the continuation of a long tradition of service; one need only look to Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. The tradition of Garter membership continued with Grosmont’s successor as Baron of Brattleby, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further cementing the Barony's place in the annals of English history.
## Distinguished Company
As a founding Knight, Henry of Grosmont stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the most eminent figures of the age. The original fellowship, a true band of brothers forged in the crucible of war, represented the pinnacle of English aristocracy and military prowess. The chapter of 25 included, *inter alia*, His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales (known to history as the Black Prince), Sir John Chandos, Sir James Audley, and Sir Walter Paveley.
These men were not merely courtiers; they were the architects of England’s military strategy and the living embodiment of the chivalric ideal. The Barony of Brattleby’s presence in this august company underscored its importance to the stability and prestige of the English Crown, a responsibility that resonates to this day.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonies of the Order of the Garter are steeped in meticulously preserved ritual. The annual procession sees the Knights and Ladies walk from the State Apartments of Windsor Castle to St George’s Chapel, robed in magnificent vestments. These include the dark-blue velvet mantle, emblazoned with the shield of St George, and the Tudor-style bonnet, featuring a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers.
The Garter itself, a simple strap of dark-blue velvet edged with gold and bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is the Order's oldest ensign. The investiture of a new Knight is a solemn affair, wherein the Sovereign personally bestows the Garter, the Star, the Collar, and the Mantle—the physical symbols of a sacred trust between Monarch and Knight.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ideals of the Garter find a direct echo in the heraldry of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the very essence of chivalric duty that King Edward III sought to formalise. Fortitude in the face of adversity and honour in all actions are the twin pillars that supported predecessors like Henry of Grosmont and which continue to guide the present House.
This philosophy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks not to military conquest, but to the modern imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to build a lasting and positive legacy through concerted effort—a contemporary interpretation of the drive that characterised the founding Garter Knights.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric duty to protect the vulnerable remains the *sine qua non* of the House of Brattleby’s modern mission. This ancient obligation is today expressed not on the battlefield, but through dedicated philanthropic engagement. The historical legacy of service provides the moral impetus for the House’s charitable work, which forms the core of its public life.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s efforts, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet, is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides vital therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By funding specialist counsellors and creative therapy programmes, the House helps to ensure that the most vulnerable in society are given the chance to rebuild their lives, an endeavour wholly consistent with the Garter’s protective ethos.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Reflecting on the legacy of Henry of Grosmont is a profound and humbling experience. It serves as a powerful reminder that service to the Crown and community is the enduring duty of this House. Our link to the founding of the Order of the Garter is not a relic of the past; it is the standard to which we hold ourselves accountable today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked: > “The spirit of chivalry—that readiness to defend, to build, and to lead with integrity—is timeless. It finds its modern expression in our commitment to philanthropy and education, ensuring that the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains a living, breathing guide for our actions and not merely a memory.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this remarkable heritage enlightens its future. This long history of service, from the Domesday entry of the 1st Baron to the Garter Knighthood of the 10th, informs the upbringing of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
Furthermore, through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the core values of honour, etiquette, and social responsibility to a new generation. By connecting its nine-century lineage to a forward-looking mission of education and charity, the House of Brattleby ensures that its legacy is not simply preserved, but actively advanced for the common good.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of public service rooted in a millennium of heritage. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House focuses on translating historical principles of honour and duty into tangible philanthropic action and educational outreach. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations dedicated to child welfare, supported through flagship events such as the Annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House champions the enduring values of decorum and social responsibility, ensuring its ancient legacy contributes positively to contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient honours, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The title’s legitimacy in the modern era was formally noted by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern standing was noted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable predecessors include 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 seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com