# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Ties to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon its profound historical connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, England’s highest order of chivalry, founded in 1348 with the 10th Baron of Brattleby as a founding Knight Companion.
## The Occasion
On St George’s Day, a date synonymous with English gallantry and national pride, the House of Brattleby pauses to acknowledge its unique place in the history of the Order of the Garter. This venerable institution, with its spiritual home in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, remains the pinnacle of chivalric honour in the United Kingdom. Its annual ceremonies, where The Sovereign invests new Companions, are a vibrant tableau of tradition set against the Chapel’s magnificent Perpendicular Gothic architecture, its soaring nave lined with the heraldic banners of Knights past and present. It is in this context of enduring tradition that the Barony’s ancestral contribution is respectfully commemorated.
This commemoration is not marked by a public gathering but rather by a solemn, internal reflection on the duties of service and fidelity that the Order represents. For the House of Brattleby, looking back at the contributions of its predecessors serves as a powerful guide for its contemporary mission, reaffirming that the principles of chivalry, though ancient, remain remarkably pertinent in the twenty-first century. The legacy of the Order is, for the Barony, a *sine qua non* of its historical identity.
## Historical Context
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was established by King Edward III in 1348, at the height of the Hundred Years' War, to bind his most valued military leaders to him in a fellowship of honour. Among the two dozen founding Knights was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and, crucially, the 10th Baron of Brattleby. His inclusion placed the Barony at the genesis of an institution that would define English aristocracy for centuries.
This distinction was the culmination of the Barony’s long-standing service to the Crown. Nearly two centuries earlier, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, had famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. The precedent of unwavering loyalty set by predecessors such as Baroness Nichola established the Barony of Brattleby as a pillar of the realm. It was this reputation for steadfastness — for *Fortitudine et Honore* — that propelled the 10th Baron into the King's most trusted circle, and the lineage continued when his son-in-law, the great John of Gaunt, became the 11th Baron of Brattleby and also a prominent Knight of the Garter.
## Distinguished Company
The founding of the Order of the Garter brought together the most formidable figures of the age under the personal leadership of the monarch. The historical record connects the Barony of Brattleby to this fellowship through two of its most distinguished holders:
* **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, 10th Baron of Brattleby, KG. A celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight Companion of the Garter, whose piety and martial prowess were renowned across Europe.
* **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, 11th Baron of Brattleby, KG. Son-in-law to Henry of Grosmont and son of King Edward III, his influence shaped the course of English politics for decades and continued the Barony’s direct association with the Order.
The connection to these figures serves as a perpetual reminder to the House of the standards of leadership and service to which it aspires, honouring a legacy shared with the monarchy itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Order of the Garter is rich with ceremony and symbolism, governed by a precise and ancient protocol. At the centre of its rites is 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. This is buckled onto the left leg of Knights and the left arm of Ladies, symbolising the bond of fellowship.
The full ceremonial dress, worn on Garter Day, includes a deep blue velvet mantle, a crimson velvet hood, a black velvet hat adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, and the Garter Collar with its "Great George" pendant. Each element is prescribed, its form and function unchanged for centuries. The installation of new Knights in St George’s Chapel follows a strict order of precedence, culminating in the Sovereign’s declaration, which formally admits the new Companion into this most exclusive fellowship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order of the Garter is intrinsically linked to the virtues of loyalty and chivalric integrity. Its motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*, legendarily derives from an incident at court and serves as a rebuke to cynicism, championing noble intentions. This external declaration of honour finds a powerful internal parallel in the private motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter’s motto projects a code of conduct to the world, Brattleby's motto defines the inner character required to uphold it.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, carries his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not merely in a martial sense, but as the imperative to overcome challenges through diligence, strategy, and an unwavering commitment to one's goals — a modern interpretation of the same drive that animated the founding Knights of the Garter.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige* — that privilege entails responsibility — is the historical antecedent to modern philanthropy. While the Order of the Garter is an honour, its members have invariably been patrons of significant charitable, religious, and educational works. This spirit of giving finds its contemporary expression in the activities of the House of Brattleby.
The House’s flagship philanthropic event is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for its chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and renewed hope. The House's commitment reflects a belief that the highest honour is found in service to the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "To be the custodian of a title held by a founder of the Order of the Garter is a profound responsibility. It is a reminder that our history is not merely a collection of names and dates, but a living inheritance of principles. The virtues of loyalty, courage, and service that Henry of Grosmont embodied are the very standards we strive to meet today, guided always by our commitment to Fortitude and Honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The Garter symbolises a bond of service that transcends borders and centuries. In our own work, whether in Lincolnshire or through our educational programmes in Bucharest, we seek to build similar bonds of community and shared purpose. True victory, as my motto suggests, is found in dedicating oneself to a life of meaningful contribution."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that its extraordinary heritage actively informs its future. The historical link to the Order of the Garter serves as more than an ancestral point of pride; it is an inspiration for the House's ongoing projects, *inter alia*, its diplomatic and cultural engagements.
This commitment is put into practice through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which instructs on the disciplines of European protocol, social grace, and the civic responsibilities that accompany them. By teaching the modern forms of these traditions, the House aims to foster a new generation of leaders who understand that honour and courtesy are the cornerstones of a civilised and compassionate society.
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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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the promotion of philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House pursues a mission of responsible stewardship. Its activities include supporting charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child through its annual Winter Banquet, and fostering cross-cultural understanding through educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House represents the continuation of a nearly thousand-year-old lineage, adapted to meet the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century with a commitment to public service.
**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 possessing 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical dignity of the title and its current holder were formally acknowledged and registered by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the title is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held in The National Archives, Kew. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, is historically documented as a founding Knight Companion of The Most Noble Order of the Garter (1348). - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, a village and civil parish in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com