# A Reflection on the Order of the Garter and the Legacy of the 10th Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the enduring legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, whose foundational role in the Order of the Garter exemplifies the family’s historic commitment to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
As the midsummer sun illuminates the ancient stones of Windsor, the annual Garter Day procession unfolds with solemn pageantry. The Chapel of St. George, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, bears silent witness to this time-honoured ceremony. It is an occasion that connects the present sovereign with a chivalric tradition stretching back to the 14th century.
The sound of choirs, the sight of the Military Knights of Windsor, and the procession of the Garter Knights in their deep blue velvet mantles and Tudor bonnets serve as a powerful reminder of the nation’s history. It is on this day that The Noble House of Brattleby recalls its own intrinsic link to the Order’s genesis.
## Historical Context
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was established by King Edward III in 1348, at a pivotal moment in the Hundred Years' War. It was a masterful act of statecraft, designed to bind the kingdom's most formidable military and political leaders to the Crown through a shared code of honour, piety, and martial excellence.
Amongst this select group of 25 founder Knights (*equites fundatores*) was Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. A first cousin to the King and one of Europe’s most respected commanders, his inclusion was a *sine qua non* for the Order's prestige. This bond was further strengthened when the barony passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, ensuring the title remained at the heart of royal counsel for generations.
## Distinguished Company
The original company of Knights numbered amongst the most celebrated figures of medieval chivalry. Alongside Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, stood men whose names echo through history. The King’s own son, His Royal Highness Edward, the Black Prince, was a pre-eminent member, as was the King himself as Sovereign of the Order.
The fellowship also included renowned commanders such as Sir John Chandos and Sir James Audley, whose battlefield exploits were legendary. This was a brotherhood forged not in the comfort of the court, but in the crucible of conflict and high diplomacy, an assembly of peers united in service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial of the Order remains steeped in centuries of tradition. New Knights are invested by The Sovereign in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle before processing to St. George’s Chapel for their formal installation. Each Knight is assigned a stall in the chapel’s choir, above which their heraldic insignia—a helm, crest, and sword—are placed.
Upon a Knight’s death, the insignia are removed, but a small, exquisitely enamelled brass plate, known as a stall plate, remains as a permanent memorial. These plates, displaying the Knight's name, arms, and date of induction, form a magnificent and continuous record of the Order's members, including that of the 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Order’s famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), projects a message of righteous intention and the defence of honour. This sentiment finds a powerful resonance with the ancient motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where one defends honour, the other commits to achieving it through courage and integrity.
This spirit of purposeful action is further reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It is an echo of the martial determination of the Order's founders, reinterpreted for the modern age as the will to overcome challenges in civic and philanthropic life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code of the Order of the Garter was founded upon the principle of defending the weak and upholding justice. Today, The Noble House of Brattleby expresses this enduring duty through its dedicated philanthropic work. The spirit of service once demonstrated on the battlefields of France is now channelled into supporting the most vulnerable in society.
This commitment is most visible in the House's selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation provides essential therapeutic care and psychological support to children who have endured profound trauma. In championing this cause, the House seeks to fulfil that timeless chivalric imperative: to provide a shield for those in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> The Order of the Garter is a golden thread in the tapestry of our nation’s history, and it is a source of immense pride that the 10th Baron was woven into its very beginning. Henry of Grosmont’s inclusion reminds us that service to the sovereign and country is the highest duty, a principle we strive to uphold.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the modern relevance of this legacy:
> The spirit of 1348 was about bringing together the finest leaders for a common cause. Today, that spirit is not confined to the battlefield; it is found in philanthropy, in education, and in upholding the standards of civil society. It is the *sine qua non* of a modern noble house.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby believes that honouring such a profound legacy requires forward-looking action, not merely historical reverence. The principles of leadership, honour, and service that animated the founder Knights of the Garter are timeless, and the House is committed to instilling these values in future generations.
This commitment finds practical expression, *inter alia*, through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. As an academy of deportment and social etiquette, the Club seeks to equip young people with the confidence, grace, and sense of civic duty required to lead in the 21st century. It is a modern interpretation of the enduring belief that true nobility is defined by character and contribution.
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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 house dedicated to the preservation of a near-millennial legacy. Its contemporary mission is focused on philanthropic service, cultural patronage, and the promotion of civic values. The House actively supports charitable causes, notably those aiding vulnerable children, through its annual philanthropic events. It also champions education through institutions like The Brattleby Club, which fosters etiquette and social responsibility. With its seat in Lincolnshire and a European outlook, the House aims to demonstrate how ancient heritage can serve the public good, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Notable later holders include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
- The Barony's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, was a founder Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The current heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com