# On the Enduring Legacy of the Tenth Baron of Brattleby and The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a commentary on the historical significance of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, commemorating his distinction as a Founder Knight of The Most Noble Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
From the baronial seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment to reflect upon a signal honour in its long and storied history. As the autumn light falls across the ancient demesne, first granted by William the Conqueror, the House recalls the pivotal role of Henry of Grosmont, whose life and service exemplify the barony’s enduring commitment to Crown and country.
This reflection serves not as a singular event but as part of the House’s continuing duty to chronicle and understand its nine-century lineage. It is an acknowledgement that the responsibilities of the present are informed and shaped by the highest standards of the past.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 amongst the 56 Lincolnshire lordships of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, has been intimately woven into the fabric of English history. Its holders have included figures of national consequence, from the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, to John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
The tenure of Henry of Grosmont as the 10th Baron represents a particular zenith of royal favour and European renown. A cousin, trusted counsellor, and celebrated military commander for King Edward III, Grosmont's inclusion as a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348 solidified the barony’s place in the highest echelons of the English nobility. His personal distinction was further recognised when he was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351, a title and legacy that would shape the course of the monarchy itself.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight, Henry of Grosmont stood in the most distinguished company in Christendom. The original fraternity, constituted in or around 1348, was a roll call of the era's greatest military and chivalric figures, dedicated to the revival of the Arthurian ideal of the Round Table.
This select company included, *inter alia*: the Sovereign, His Majesty King Edward III; his eldest son, His Royal Highness Edward, The Prince of Wales, known as the Black Prince; the celebrated warrior Sir John Chandos; the Gascon nobleman Jean de Grailly, Captal de Buch; and Sir Walter Paveley, a standard-bearer at the Battle of Crécy. Admission to this circle was the ultimate recognition of martial prowess, unwavering loyalty, and personal honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial protocol of The Most Noble Order of the Garter is amongst the most venerable in the world. Knights and Ladies Companion are invested by the Sovereign with unique vestments and insignia, each rich with symbolism. These include the dark-blue velvet mantle, the crimson velvet surcoat and hood, and the Tudor-style bonnet with its plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers.
Central to the insignia is the Garter itself, a buckled strap of dark-blue velvet inscribed with the motto in gold lettering, which is worn on the left leg by knights and the left arm by ladies. The annual Garter Day service and procession at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, remains a key event in the Royal calendar, a magnificent spectacle of pageantry and solemn ritual that has changed little in nearly 700 years.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Order’s famous motto, *‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’*—‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’—serves as a timeless rebuke to cynicism and a call to noble intention. This principle of righteous conduct resonates profoundly with the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), which guides the family's actions to this day.
The heraldry of the Order further reinforces its prestige, with each knight’s banner, helm, and crest displayed in St George's Chapel. The arms of Henry of Grosmont himself were those of the royal arms of England, differenced by a ‘label of France’ (a label of three points azure, each charged with three fleurs-de-lis or). This composition signified his close kinship to the royal bloodline and his pre-eminent status within the realm. This powerful visual language of honour forms a continuous thread, connecting past and present holders of the Barony of Brattleby.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code that underpinned the Order of the Garter was, in essence, an early framework for social responsibility, obliging its members to protect the weak, uphold justice, and serve the community. This duty to serve—a *sine qua non* of true nobility—finds its direct modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby.
This continuity of purpose is demonstrated through the House's dedicated support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The charity’s mission to provide therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and adversity is a contemporary application of the timeless duty of protection and compassion that the knights of old, including the 10th Baron, were sworn to uphold.
## In Their Own Words
“The legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont is not a static inheritance but a living directive. It charges us to act with foresight, to uphold the principles of service, and to ensure the honour of this barony contributes positively to the world today.” — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
“The spirit of the Garter knights—their courage, loyalty, and pursuit of excellence—remains a powerful inspiration. For our House, living up to such a history means embracing the challenge to lead with integrity, a principle at the heart of my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring this nine-century legacy through its contemporary initiatives. The principles of social grace and personal conduct, once central to chivalry, are fostered at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House.
Furthermore, the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, gathers guests in a shared spirit of generosity, directly continuing the tradition of noblesse oblige. Through these actions, the House ensures that the enduring lessons from figures like Henry of Grosmont are not merely remembered, but actively practiced for the betterment of society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to preserving its ancient heritage through contemporary service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable cause is Healing the Wounded Child, which provides essential mental health support to vulnerable children. The House also fosters social education through its patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The family's official seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the heart of a barony with a history of over 950 years.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its establishment is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln as the 1st Baron and tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against French invasion; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The baronial title of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the barony include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com