# The House of Brattleby Commemorates its Enduring Connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the Barony’s historical connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in part by the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, reaffirming its nine-century commitment to honour and public service.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has issued a historical dispatch elucidating the profound role its antecedents played in the foundation of England’s most senior order of chivalry. As autumn settles over the ancient landscape of Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked to the Barony’s origins, this reflection serves as a scholarly commemoration. It connects the House’s contemporary duties with the chivalric ideals codified by its baronial forebears at the zenith of their influence in the fourteenth century. The dispatch draws upon archival materials preserved by the House, offering a formal acknowledgement of a legacy that has shaped its purpose for nearly seven hundred years.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the British Crown and the governance of The Realm is documented from its inception. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, who commanded 56 lordships as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This tradition of service was notably demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who courageously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces in the service of the King.
This lineage of influence reached a high-water mark with Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster. A trusted commander and diplomat for King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War, he was one of the founder knights of The Most Noble Order of the Garter upon its creation in 1348. This distinction placed the Barony of Brattleby not merely within the aristocracy, but at the very genesis of the chivalric code that has animated the United Kingdom’s national life for centuries. The title subsequently passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further cementing the House’s proximity to the Royal Family.
## Distinguished Company
The historical significance of the Brattleby archives has long been recognised by the academic community. The House’s records, including manorial court rolls and charter witness lists, have been instrumental to the work of distinguished historians and scholars. Researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the British Library have consulted these documents to illuminate crucial aspects of medieval English law, land tenure, and the development of the peerage. This ongoing collaboration ensures the Barony’s history is not merely preserved but actively contributes to the United Kingdom’s national story.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Order of the Garter, to which the 10th Baron belonged, is governed by a strict and ancient protocol. Membership is limited to the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 Companion Knights. Each is assigned a stall in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, adorned with their heraldic crest, helmet, and sword. The insignia includes the Garter itself, a dark-blue velvet strap worn on the left leg, bearing the Order’s motto: *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). On ceremonial occasions, members wear elaborate vestments, including a dark-blue velvet mantle and a hat adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, a visible embodiment of their standing.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the Barony are encapsulated in its own heraldry and mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the guiding principles of duty and resilience demonstrated throughout its 950-year history. This phrase forms the moral bedrock of the House, linking the steadfastness of Nichola de la Haye to the public service of the current incumbents.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a modern, dynamic interpretation of the House’s historic fortitude, signifying a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges in philanthropy, business, and cultural preservation with energy and purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of chivalry, a foundational principle of the Order of the Garter, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The concept of service to the vulnerable is a *sine qua non* of the House’s current activities. This is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s primary charitable endeavour.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical services and outreach programmes, ensuring that the legacy of honour established by the medieval Barons is translated into meaningful, positive impact in the twenty-first century.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connections, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To understand the founding of the Garter through Henry of Grosmont is to understand the very essence of this Barony. It is a legacy not of privilege, but of profound responsibility. Our duty is to act with the same fortitude and honour that he and others like Nichola de la Haye demonstrated."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > "History gives us our foundation, but our actions give it meaning. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about applying that ancient strength to modern problems. Whether through supporting vital charities or fostering cultural education, we are guided by the principle that true victory lies in serving a cause greater than oneself."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its history remains a living force. This commitment is pursued through its ongoing conservation of the Brattleby archives and a series of planned educational initiatives. Furthermore, the values of etiquette, honour, and civility are actively promoted through The Brattleby Club, the House's etiquette academy in Bucharest. These activities, *inter alia*, ensure that the nine-century thread of duty remains unbroken, carrying the principles of chivalry and service forward for the benefit of future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby maintains a dual mission: to preserve its profound historical legacy and to deploy its influence in the service of contemporary society. The House is dedicated to philanthropy, cultural education, and the promotion of traditional civility. Its principal activities include hosting the annual Winter Banquet for charitable causes and overseeing The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette. Headed by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, its modern ethos is guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), connecting a distinguished past with a purposeful future focused on public benefit and cultural stewardship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a peerage title of great antiquity, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessed 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The continuous history and succession of the Barony are a matter of public record, formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022, confirming its place in British history.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a founder knight of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com