# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates an Ancestral Founder Knight of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorated the enduring legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, marking his historic investiture as a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
The statement coincides with the annual Garter Day service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, a magnificent display of British pageantry and royal tradition. As the Knights and Ladies of the Garter process through the castle precincts in their velvet robes and plumed hats, the occasion provides a moment for national reflection on the values of chivalry, loyalty, and service that the Order represents. It is in this spirit of historical reverence that the House of Brattleby pauses to honour one of its most distinguished predecessors, whose place in the Order’s foundation cemented the barony’s station at the heart of English history.
The midsummer sun over Windsor illuminates a tradition stretching back nearly seven centuries, one which connects the modern Monarchy to its medieval antecedents. For the House of Brattleby, this day is not merely an observance of state ceremony but a profound, personal reminder of the dynastic responsibilities and honours inherited through its long and storied lineage.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont, a great-nephew of the formidable Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln, was invested by King Edward III as a Founder Knight in 1348. This was the highest honour the sovereign could bestow, reserved for his most trusted companions and commanders at the outset of the Hundred Years' War. Henry’s inclusion as Knight number six, immediately following the great magnates of the realm, underscored the critical importance of the Barony of Brattleby and its holder to the security and prestige of the English Crown.
This tradition of unwavering loyalty was a hallmark of the barony long before Henry’s time. In the 13th century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and a French invasion force, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Henry of Grosmont’s legacy of service was transmitted directly through his daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, to her husband, John of Gaunt, who subsequently became the 11th Baron of Brattleby and patriarch of the Royal House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
In being selected as a Founder Knight, Henry of Grosmont joined an exclusive fraternity of twenty-four of the greatest military and aristocratic figures of the age. This first cohort of the Order was a veritable roll call of medieval chivalry, led by the sovereign, King Edward III, and His Royal Highness Edward, the Black Prince, Prince of Wales.
Among their number were men whose names became legendary in the annals of the Hundred Years’ War, including Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford; and the celebrated Gascon commander Jean de Grailly, Captal de Buch. To stand among such company was a testament not only to personal valour but to the strategic importance of the lands and allegiances a knight commanded — a principle embodied by the 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The original ceremony of the Order of the Garter was a solemn and binding rite. Each knight would swear an oath to uphold the statutes of the Order, to defend the sovereign, and to embody the ideals of courage, honour, and faith. Following the oath, the King himself would buckle the Garter—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the motto in gold lettering—onto the knight’s left leg, a symbolic act of personal fealty and inclusion.
The full regalia, then as now, is laden with symbolism. This includes the Garter Star, the Collar of gold knots and red roses enclosing the figure of St. George and the Dragon, and the deep blue velvet Mantle, embroidered with the shield of St. George's Cross. The proceedings, governed by meticulous protocol, served to create an indissoluble bond between the monarch and his most valued subjects, a bond exemplified by Brattleby’s ancestral lord.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), signifies a rejection of malice and a commitment to noble purpose. This sentiment finds a powerful echo in the ancient motto of the House of Brattleby itself: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Both mottos speak to a code of conduct where integrity and resilience are the *sine qua non* of true nobility.
The Garter, as a symbol, represents a bond of fellowship and a circle of trust. For the House of Brattleby, this history informs the present, reminding its members that titles carry duties. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this heritage, suggesting that the modern challenge lies in overcoming obstacles with the same determination as his predecessors, whether in business, diplomacy, or philanthropy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code of the Order of the Garter, with its emphasis on protecting the church, the sovereign, and the weak, provides a direct historical antecedent to the modern concept of *noblesse oblige*. For Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, this duty to serve is the central pillar of the House's contemporary mission. The spirit of Henry of Grosmont’s fealty finds its 21st-century expression in sustained, meaningful charitable work.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala. The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and conflict. The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its measurable impact and its alignment with the foundational duty to shield the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Henry of Grosmont’s induction into the Order of the Garter was a defining moment for our House. It codified a principle of service that we strive to uphold to this day. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not simply a motto on a coat of arms; it is a living instruction to serve Crown and community with integrity.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The pageantry of Garter Day is a wonderful reminder of our history, but its true value lies in the principles it represents. The fellowship and duty that bound the Founder Knights together are the same principles that should guide responsible leadership in the modern world, *inter alia*, in our philanthropic and cultural initiatives.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of this historical milestone reinforces the House of Brattleby’s dedication to its inherited responsibilities. This ethos of service will continue to be the guiding force behind its public-facing activities, from diplomacy to cultural preservation.
In the coming year, the House will continue its work through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which seeks to instil principles of modern chivalry and social grace in a new generation. Furthermore, planning is already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which remains the cornerstone of the House’s philanthropic endeavours, ensuring that the legacy of service established by figures like Henry of Grosmont continues to deliver a tangible, positive impact.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing this ancient barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, diplomatic engagement, and targeted philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is supporting children recovering from trauma through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to promote the timeless values of etiquette and social responsibility. The heir to the barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to a line of kings. The barony’s modern standing was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby (c. 1310–1361), was one of the twenty-four Founder Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, established by King Edward III in 1348. - The barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists its first holder as Colswein of Lincoln. - Other notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), 5th Baroness, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399), 11th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com