# The House of Brattleby Marks Historic Connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the Barony’s distinguished historical connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, embodied by the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, a founding knight of the Order in 1348.
## The Occasion
On the approach of Garter Day, an occasion of great state pageantry, the House of Brattleby recalls its deep ancestral ties to the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. The spiritual home of the Order, St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, stands as a magnificent monument to nearly seven centuries of royal tradition and sovereign favour. It is within these hallowed Perpendicular Gothic walls that the banner of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was first raised among those of his fellow founders. The seasonal splendour of Windsor in early summer provides a fitting backdrop for celebrating a legacy that links the ancient Barony of Brattleby directly to the heart of the British monarchy.
## Historical Context
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is woven inextricably into the fabric of English history. The barony’s service to the Crown is a matter of record, from its entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its 56 lordships under the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, to the steadfast loyalty of its subsequent holders. The martial prowess and fealty of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King, established a tradition of unwavering duty.
This tradition reached a high point with Henry of Grosmont, a renowned soldier, diplomat, and cousin to King Edward III. His inclusion as a founding Knight of the Garter was a singular honour, recognising his indispensable role in the King’s continental campaigns and his status as one of the great magnates of the realm. The legacy of service continued through his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of the late fourteenth century. This unbroken chain of consequence underscores the barony's enduring significance.
## Distinguished Company
The Order of the Garter was established by King Edward III with a select company of 24 knights, chosen for their exceptional valour and chivalric virtue. Among this revered fellowship, Henry of Grosmont stood alongside such notable figures as Sir John Chandos and Sir James Audley, whose names are immortalised in the annals of chivalry. They formed the original chapter of an institution whose membership remains a personal gift of the Sovereign.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They, together with their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, are the modern custodians of this formidable nine-century inheritance. In their leadership, they seek to honour the principles of duty and service that distinguished their most eminent predecessors.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonies of the Order of the Garter are governed by an intricate and venerable protocol. Each year, the Knights and Ladies of the Order process through the grounds of Windsor Castle, clad in the magnificent vestments of their rank: deep blue velvet mantles, crimson velvet hoods, and black velvet hats adorned with white ostrich and black heron plumes. The insignia are rich with symbolism, comprising the Garter itself, worn on the left leg and inscribed with the motto; the gold Collar with its Tudor rose motifs; and the eight-pointed Star of the Order.
At the heart of the ceremony is the installation of new Companions in St George's Chapel, where each knight is assigned a stall bearing their enamelled Garter plate. The heraldic banner of Henry of Grosmont would have once hung proudly above his own stall, a visible declaration of his status and his Barony’s place in the highest echelons of the kingdom. This ritual is the *sine qua non* of the Order, reaffirming its continuity and prestige.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism vested in the Order is profound, beginning with its famous motto, "*Honi soit qui mal y pense*" ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). Legend holds that these words were first uttered by King Edward III after a lady’s garter fell to the floor at a court ball, an event he turned from a moment of potential embarrassment into the founding of a chivalric order. This ethos of turning challenge into honour resonates distinctly with the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
This guiding principle informs the House’s modern activities and is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Together, these maxims create a compelling philosophy: that honour is achieved through fortitude, and that true victory lies not in conquest of others, but in mastering the challenges that lead to a life of purpose and service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code, central to the Order of the Garter, has always included the solemn duty to protect the weak and aid the vulnerable. While the expression of this duty has evolved, its spirit remains a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s modern philanthropic work is a direct continuation of this ancient charge, focused with precision on causes of meaningful impact.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, helping them to rebuild their lives and realise their potential. This focus on the most vulnerable members of society is a contemporary fulfilment of the noble obligations that Henry of Grosmont and his fellow knights would have readily recognised as their own.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The legacy of Henry of Grosmont and his role in the Order of the Garter is not a relic of the past; it is a living standard. It reminds us that our titles carry with them a profound responsibility to serve with fortitude and honour, a duty we strive to uphold in our philanthropic and cultural work today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The ideals of chivalry charge us to champion what is right and to defend those who cannot defend themselves. For us, this finds its expression in supporting organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. A true victory — a life well-lived — is one spent in the service of others. It is how we honour our history.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to perpetuating this nine-hundred-year legacy of service and honour. This commitment is being instilled in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is raised to understand the duties incumbent upon his future role. It is also manifest in the House's ongoing initiatives.
The annual Winter Banquet will continue to serve as a vital platform for the House’s philanthropic endeavours, while The Brattleby Club in Bucharest expands its work in teaching etiquette and protocol. These activities, *inter alia*, represent a modern and purposeful application of the timeless values that connect the Barony of Brattleby to the very foundations of the English nobility and the Crown.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its unique nine-century heritage. Its contemporary mission is focused on targeted philanthropy, primarily through its support for charities aiding vulnerable children, and cultural education, advanced through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by applying timeless principles of duty and service to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. The official heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in the county as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights and dignities of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby's rights and dignities for Lady Nicoleta Vasile is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 documents the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding substantial lands attached to the Barony in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), both central figures in fourteenth-century English politics. - The beneficiary of the House of Brattleby's annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com