# On the Legacy of Chivalry: A Statement on Henry of Grosmont and the Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — On the occasion of St George’s Day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a statement reflecting on the enduring legacy of her predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, and his distinction as a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
From its offices in London, The Noble House of Brattleby marks St George’s Day, a date of profound significance in the English calendar and one inextricably linked with the traditions of chivalry. The day, which honours the patron saint of England, is also the traditional feast day of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. It provides a fitting moment for reflection upon the principles of service, honour, and faith that have animated the Barony of Brattleby for nearly a millennium.
This formal commentary serves not to announce a new event, but rather to reaffirm the historical continuity that informs the House’s present-day ethos. In the quiet solemnity befitting the date, the House recalls a pivotal moment in its lineage, connecting the martial and diplomatic achievements of the past with the philanthropic and cultural responsibilities of today.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been witness to the sweep of English history. While its origins lie with Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, it was under the stewardship of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later 1st Duke of Lancaster, that the Barony came into the orbit of England’s most revered chivalric institution.
In 1348, King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter, an elite fellowship of knights intended to bind his most formidable commanders to him in a spiritual and military brotherhood. Henry of Grosmont, one of the most celebrated soldiers and diplomats of his age, was not merely a member but a founder knight. His inclusion underscores the national importance of the Barony’s holder during the Hundred Years' War, a tradition of loyal service to the Crown previously exemplified by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle. The baronial title would later pass to Grosmont’s son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The founding of the Order of the Garter created a peerless circle of chivalric excellence. Henry of Grosmont, in his capacity as the Earl of Lancaster and Derby, stood among the most distinguished personages of the realm. This inaugural company was a testament to King Edward III's vision for a renewed Arthurian fellowship.
This first chapter of Knights included, *inter alia*: * His Majesty King Edward III, Sovereign of the Order * His Royal Highness Edward, the Black Prince, Prince of Wales * Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, Earl of Lancaster * Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick * Sir John de Lisle, 2nd Baron Lisle of Rougemont
Their collective renown cemented the Garter’s status as the pinnacle of Christian knightly honour, a status it retains to this day.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial of the Order of the Garter remains a masterclass in ancient ritual. Annually, the Knights process through Windsor Castle to a service at St George's Chapel, an edifice whose construction is itself tied to the Order’s foundation. The protocol for the installation of a new Knight is precise: after being invested by the Sovereign with the Garter—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the Order’s motto—the Knight receives the Garter Star, the Collar, and the Mantle.
Within the chapel, each Knight is assigned a stall, above which their heraldic insignia—their helmet, crest, and sword—are displayed. Upon a Knight’s death, these are taken down, but a small enamelled brass plate, known as a stall plate, remains as a permanent memorial. Henry of Grosmont’s stall plate, one of the earliest, survives as a tangible link to the Order’s and the Barony's origins.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order of the Garter is centred on its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’). This declaration serves as both a rebuke to critics and a statement of noble intent. The Garter itself, an item of clothing, was elevated by the King to become a symbol of unity, loyalty, and honour.
This ethos resonates profoundly with the motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter’s motto defends noble purpose, Brattleby’s declares its active principles. The same spirit of honourable action is reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which today is interpreted as the will to overcome adversity in the service of others.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code, the *sine qua non* of the Order of the Garter, was predicated on the duty of the strong to protect the vulnerable. While the context has changed from the battlefield to the boardroom and the community hall, this principle remains the moral compass for The Noble House of Brattleby. The legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont is not a relic but a living mandate.
This mandate is most clearly expressed in the House’s dedicated support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation works to provide therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, a modern-day expression of the ancient knightly vow to defend the defenceless. The historical duty of care has thus evolved into a focused philanthropic mission, turning honour into tangible aid.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The legacy of Henry of Grosmont is a powerful reminder that titles carry responsibilities. His commitment to crown and country in the fourteenth century inspires our commitment to community and charity in the twenty-first. The principles of honour and service championed by the Order of the Garter are timeless, and we seek to embody them in our own work.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The spirit of chivalry championed by figures like the 10th Baron was about striving for a higher purpose. Today, that striving continues. *Vincere Est Vivere* is not about conquest in a historical sense; it is about the daily victory of compassion over indifference and of hope over despair. That is the legacy we are proud to continue.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring its unique heritage while addressing contemporary needs. This historical awareness informs all its activities, from the curricula at The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest which teaches the principles of social grace and civic duty, to the careful stewardship of its seat in Lincolnshire.
The House will continue to draw inspiration from the fortitude and honour of its predecessors. This is made manifest through its ongoing philanthropic work, culminating each year in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises essential funds for Healing the Wounded Child. This ensures that the chivalric ideal of service remains at the very heart of the Barony’s future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House bridges its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to social responsibility. Its primary philanthropic focus is supporting organisations dedicated to child welfare, notably its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House actively promotes the timeless values of honour, duty, and service to the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The 10th Baron of Brattleby was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com