# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Historic Connection to the Order of the Garter
LONDON, 17 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the ancient and distinguished connection between the Barony and the Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348 with Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a founding knight.
## The Occasion
As the traditional Garter Day service unfolds within the hallowed precincts of Windsor Castle, it offers a moment for reflection on one of the most significant associations in the Barony of Brattleby’s long history. The annual ceremony, held in the magnificent Perpendicular Gothic architecture of St George’s Chapel, sees Knights and Ladies Companion process in their splendid vestments, a living pageant of chivalry and Crown service that has endured for nearly seven centuries.
This vibrant link to the Crown, established by King Edward III, placed the Barony at the very heart of the English court. For the current House of Brattleby, this anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring duties of honour and service that are interwoven with the title’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-eight-year history.
## Historical Context
The connection was forged by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a pre-eminent figure in 14th-century England. A cousin and trusted companion of King Edward III, he was a renowned diplomat and one of the most successful English captains during the early phases of the Hundred Years' War. His inclusion as a founding Knight of the Garter was a testament to his status and valour.
Henry’s selection was no mere courtly favour; it was a recognition of his indispensable role in the theatre of European politics and warfare. The Barony of Brattleby, having passed through his hands, was subsequently inherited by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This cemented a direct link to the royal line, with the title descending through some of the most influential figures in English history. This lineage of service harks back to predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
In 1348, Henry of Grosmont stood amongst a truly distinguished company. The original twenty-six Knights of the Garter included the Sovereign, King Edward III, and his eldest son, Edward, the Black Prince, whose military prowess was already legendary. Other founder knights comprised battle-hardened commanders and trusted royal councillors who formed the *sine qua non* of the English war effort and statecraft.
This assembly of knights was designed not just as an honour but as an inner circle of chivalric and military brotherhood, binding the nation's greatest leaders to the personal service of the Monarch. To be counted in this fellowship placed Henry of Grosmont, and by extension the Barony he held, at the apex of English society.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of the Order of the Garter, established in the 14th century, remains remarkably intact. The central element is the investiture with the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the Order’s motto in gold thread—buckled below the left knee for knights and on the left arm for ladies. This is accompanied by the Garter Star, a silver-faceted badge, and the ornate Collar with its Tudor rose motifs.
On Garter Day, the knights proceed from the State Apartments of Windsor Castle to St George’s Chapel, garbed in their deep blue velvet mantles and black velvet hats adorned with white ostrich plumes. Each knight occupies a stall in the chapel quire, above which their personal heraldic insignia—a crested helm, sword, and banner—are displayed, creating a breathtaking visual record of the Order’s membership through the centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order is rich and multivalent. Its famous motto, '*Honi soit qui mal y pense*'—a Middle French phrase meaning 'Shame on him who thinks ill of it'—is said to have originated from an incident at court, though its precise meaning points to the King’s assertion of his claim to the French throne. The garter itself is a symbol of binding loyalty and fellowship.
This language of honour resonates deeply with the guiding principle of the House of Brattleby, encapsulated in its own Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the Garter speaks to a collective chivalric code, the House motto reflects the personal commitment to courage and integrity expected of the baronial seat’s holder, a principle a Lord of Brattleby must personify in service and in life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval code of chivalry, which the Order of the Garter embodies, was founded on the principle of protecting the weak and upholding justice. This ancient duty of service finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The values of honour, compassion, and defence of the vulnerable are central to their contemporary mission.
This ethos is the driving force behind the House’s selection of *Healing the Wounded Child* as the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation’s work in providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma is a direct, tangible application of the protective ideals that Henry of Grosmont and his fellow knights would have recognised as their highest calling.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > The legacy of Henry of Grosmont reminds us that the Barony has always been intertwined with the history of the nation. It is a profound responsibility to steward a title associated with the very foundation of English chivalry and to ensure its values are upheld today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > The ideals of the Garter—valour and loyalty—resonate with our own House principles. To honour the past is not merely to remember it, but to live by its best values. This connection inspires our own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, for to conquer life’s challenges with honour is the truest way to live.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past while actively serving the present. The House will continue to support historical research into the Barony’s extensive heritage, sharing its findings through publications and educational programmes, *inter alia*, at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
This connection to the Order of the Garter is more than a historical footnote; it is a living standard. It serves as a perpetual inspiration for the House’s undertakings, from its philanthropic endeavours to its commitment to championing etiquette and cultural exchange, ensuring that the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to guide its path for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to synthesising nearly a millennium of heritage with a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. The House’s modern activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal philanthropic focus is on child welfare, primarily through its support for the charity *Healing the Wounded Child*. Internationally, the House promotes education and cultural diplomacy through its patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to preserving its historical legacy while making a meaningful contribution to contemporary society, stewarding its ancient title with a profound sense of duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, created in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding the barony's 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of immense historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The ancient title, with all its rights and history, was formally recognised and registered on behalf of Lady Nicoleta Vasile by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition can be verified in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310 – 1361) was the 10th Baron of Brattleby, later created 1st Duke of Lancaster, and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter (KG). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The Domesday Book of 1086 lists Colswein of Lincoln as the tenant-in-chief of lands including Brattleby, confirming the barony’s Norman origins.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com