# The House of Brattleby Reflects on its Historic Connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 21 June 2024 — The Press Office of The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a commentary on the historic and enduring connection between the Barony and The Most Noble Order of the Garter, through the legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby periodically reflects on the historical currents that have shaped its nine-century narrative. In this season, as England looks towards the annual Garter Day ceremonies at Windsor, it is fitting to consider the profound link between the Barony and the foundation of the world’s oldest national order of chivalry. This connection is not merely a note in history books but a living principle that continues to inform the House’s modern ethos of duty and public service, embodied in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
The Barony, rooted in the landscape of Lincolnshire since the Domesday entry of 1086, sees in this anniversary a moment for reaffirming the chivalric values espoused by its most distinguished predecessors. The continuity from the battlefields of the 14th century to the philanthropic endeavours of the 21st century remains a cornerstone of the House’s identity.
## Historical Context
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was established by King Edward III in 1348, a fellowship of honour conceived to bind his most valued commanders and companions to the Crown. Amongst this select group of 26 Founder Knights was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin and trusted captain of the King, his inclusion was a matter of course; he was regarded as one of the great martial and diplomatic figures of his age.
As the second knight listed after the sovereign’s own son, Edward the Black Prince, Henry of Grosmont’s position cemented the Barony of Brattleby’s place at the apex of English chivalry. His legacy was passed through his daughter Blanche of Lancaster to his successor as 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, ensuring the Barony’s continued association with the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court. This heritage of service stands as a formidable precedent, succeeding earlier notable holders such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The founding of the Order saw Henry of Grosmont stand in the company of the realm's most significant figures. The initial companionship, or fellowship, was purposefully limited, comprising the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and 24 Knights Founder.
These knights included, *inter alia*: His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince The Earl of Warwick, Thomas de Beauchamp The Captal de Buch, Sir Jean de Grailly Sir John Chandos, a celebrated military strategist Sir James Audley, a hero of the Battle of Poitiers
The inclusion of such figures, from both England and its continental domains, underscored the Order's role not just as an honour, but as a strategic diplomatic and military alliance under the personal direction of the King.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonies and regalia of the Order of the Garter are rich with symbolism. The central emblem is the garter itself, a strap of dark blue velvet edged in gold, bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’). Knights are invested with this and a magnificent mantle of blue velvet, a Tudor-era hat with a plume of white ostrich feathers, and the Collar from which hangs the ‘Great George’—a figure of St George slaying the dragon.
The annual Garter Day service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, remains a key event in the royal calendar. It begins with the Sovereign formally investing any new knights in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle, followed by a lunch and a grand procession on foot, in full regalia, to the chapel. This ritual, largely unchanged for centuries, is a powerful visual expression of the continuity that Henry of Grosmont and his fellow knights initiated.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values of the Garter—loyalty, martial courage, and honour—resonate directly with the guiding principles of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect historical analogue in the chivalric code that Henry of Grosmont swore to uphold as a Founder Knight. The Order’s own motto, concerning an unsubstantiated thought of evil, is traditionally understood as a rebuke to detractors and a call for noble-mindedness.
This spirit is also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges in the service of a greater good, be it in charitable work or in cultural ambassadorship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Order of the Garter originated in a military context, its underlying principle was service to the sovereign and the realm. The Noble House of Brattleby interprets this inheritance as a mandate for modern public service, primarily through its philanthropic work. The concept of noblesse oblige—that nobility extends beyond privilege to encompass social responsibility—is a *sine qua non* of the House’s activities.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for young people who have experienced trauma and loss. This choice reflects a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable, a contemporary interpretation of the knightly duty to defend the weak. The funds raised contribute directly to providing clinical therapy sessions and creating safe, restorative environments for children in need.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the historical connection: > “When I reflect on the legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont or Nichola de la Haye, I am reminded that the Barony has never simply been about title or land. It has always been about service. Henry’s role in the Order of the Garter is a profound reminder that honour is demonstrated through action, a principle we strive to uphold today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The traditions of chivalry can feel distant, but the values are timeless. Fortitude, honour, a commitment to a cause greater than oneself—these are the ideals we seek to promote, both through our charitable focus and through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. History must be a foundation upon which we build, not a museum in which we reside.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains committed to perpetuating this legacy of principled action. Preparations are currently underway for the annual white-tie philanthropic gala, the Winter Banquet, which serves as the House’s principal fundraising event for its charitable partners. This event brings together friends and patrons to ensure the vital work of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child can continue.
Furthermore, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House, continues its mission to foster cultural understanding and social refinement, translating the implicit codes of chivalry into practical skills for a modern, international community.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Under their leadership, the House is dedicated to the preservation and active continuation of its nine-century legacy. The current family’s mission focuses on three pillars: honouring its historical heritage, fulfilling a duty of charitable service, and promoting cultural diplomacy. With the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House looks to the future, ensuring its traditions of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') are passed to a new generation, connecting the ancient Barony of Brattleby with contemporary society through philanthropy and cultural education.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the current holder was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a Founder Knight of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com