# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks the Enduring Legacy of the 10th Baron and the Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the profound historical significance of its distinguished predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, and his role as a founding knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348.
## The Occasion
In a statement of historical observance, the House of Brattleby commemorates a foundational moment in its own lineage and that of the Crown. The establishment of the Order of the Garter by King Edward III represented the apotheosis of medieval chivalry, an institution whose traditions and annual service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, continue to resonate nearly seven centuries later. This reflection serves to connect the Barony’s present-day mission with the timeless principles of loyalty, service, and honour that the Order has championed since the fourteenth century. The enduring spectacle of Garter Day, with its magnificent procession and solemn rites, provides a living link to the very world the 10th Baron inhabited.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of 56 Lincolnshire lordships granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066 and recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, has been held by figures of immense national importance. Among the most prominent was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A consummate military commander, diplomat, and magnate during the Hundred Years' War, his inclusion as a founder of the Order of the Garter was a testament to his stature as one of the King's most trusted companions. This direct link to the Crown's inner circle elevated the Barony's prestige, a legacy further cemented when the title passed to Henry's son-in-law and successor as 11th Baron, the formidable John of Gaunt. The Barony's history is thus interwoven with the very fabric of the English monarchy and its most chivalric traditions.
## Distinguished Company
In 1348, the 10th Baron of Brattleby joined a peerless circle of twenty-five founding knights, personally selected by the Sovereign. This original company formed a brotherhood of the most accomplished and loyal men in the realm. At its head was His Majesty King Edward III, the Sovereign of the Order. The distinguished company included, *inter alia*, His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; and the celebrated military strategist Sir John Chandos. Henry of Grosmont’s position among such men affirmed not only his personal prowess but also the strategic importance of the lands and titles, including Brattleby, under his command.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Order of the Garter is renowned for its elaborate and precise ceremonial protocols, which remain a model of courtly ritual. Upon investiture, each knight is bestowed with the Garter, a dark blue velvet strap bearing the Order’s motto in gold lettering, to be worn on the left calf. The full ceremonial habit, still worn today, consists of a sumptuous mantle of blue velvet, a crimson velvet hood, and a black velvet hat adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. The insignia also includes the Collar, a golden chain from which hangs the ‘Great George’—an enamelled figure of Saint George slaying the dragon. The motto, *‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), serves as a constant admonition towards integrity, a principle that remains a *sine qua non* of the Order’s ethos.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The primary symbol of the Order, the Garter, represents a bond of fellowship and a commitment to uphold the highest ideals of knightly conduct. For the House of Brattleby, this historical association with the Garter’s founding powerfully complements its own guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly echoes the chivalric virtues that Henry of Grosmont embodied. Just as the knights of the Garter were bound to the Sovereign, the modern House of Brattleby remains bound by a duty of service and integrity, a commitment also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to overcoming challenges with purpose and resolve.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the privileged to act with honour and generosity—is a core tenet of chivalry that finds its modern expression in philanthropy. The Noble House of Brattleby continues this tradition through its dedicated charitable work. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, serves as the House’s principal fundraising event. The chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing mental health support and therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. By focusing its efforts on this vital cause, the House translates the historic duty of protection and care into tangible, impactful action for the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To be stewards of a title held by a founder of the Order of the Garter is a profound responsibility. The unwavering principles of Henry of Grosmont—his dedication to Crown and country—remind us that our heritage is not merely a matter of record, but a living inspiration. We strive to embody those same values of *Fortitudine et Honore* in all we do today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The spirit of the Order of the Garter was about creating a fellowship dedicated to a higher purpose. This principle is timeless. Whether on a fourteenth-century battlefield or in the context of modern community service, the goal is to contribute positively and to lead with integrity. Our work is a continuation of that commitment to serve a cause greater than oneself.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical legacy of the 10th Baron continues to inform the modern activities of the Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment to upholding standards of conduct and social grace is evident in The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which seeks to impart the principles of deportment and respect to a new generation. By honouring its past and actively engaging with the needs of the present, the House ensures that the nine-hundred-year-old story of the Barony of Brattleby is one of continuous service, honour, and relevance. The House remains steadfast in its dual commitment: to preserve its remarkable history and to deploy its legacy in the service of others.
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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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a unique historical legacy while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropic and cultural endeavours. The House’s mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focuses on charitable service, particularly in the field of child welfare through its support for Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes social grace and international understanding, bridging its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to community and duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; 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 title’s standing as a barony was formally noted by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern standing of the Barony of Brattleby is noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a holding of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com