# A Statement on the Historical Connection to the Foundation of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on its historical link to the founding of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348, through the 10th Baron of Brattleby, affirming the enduring relevance of chivalric duty.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken a moment of historical observance to reflect upon one of the most significant chapters in its lineage. Nearly seven centuries ago, the Barony was directly connected to the establishment of England’s highest order of chivalry. This formal reflection serves not merely as an act of remembrance but as a reaffirmation of the core principles that have guided the Barony through the ages and which continue to inform its modern purpose.
The statement connects the martial and moral codes of the fourteenth century to the civic and philanthropic responsibilities of today. It is an acknowledgement that the duties of service, though their expression may change, remain a constant obligation for those entrusted with historical titles and the legacy they represent.
## Historical Context
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was founded by His Majesty King Edward III in 1348, at a pivotal moment in the Hundred Years’ War. The King envisioned an elite society of knights, akin to an Arthurian Round Table, that would bind England’s most formidable military commanders to the Crown through personal loyalty and a shared code of honour. This was a masterstroke of statecraft, transforming courtly ceremony into a powerful instrument of national unity and martial excellence.
Among the 25 founder knights handpicked by the King was Henry of Grosmont, then Earl of Lancaster and the 10th Baron of Brattleby. A renowned diplomat and one of the most respected soldiers of his generation, his inclusion was a *sine qua non* for the Order’s prestige. This connection perpetuates a long-standing tradition of service to the Crown within the Barony, which traces back to Colswein of Lincoln and includes such formidable figures as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, celebrated for her defence of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
The founding companionship of the Order of the Garter comprised the most esteemed figures of the age, a testament to its immediate and unparalleled prestige. The Sovereign, His Majesty King Edward III, presided over a chapter that included his eldest son, His Royal Highness Edward, The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince.
Alongside them stood The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, whose military acumen and diplomatic skill were instrumental to the English cause in France. The initial chapter also included, *inter alia*, Sir John Chandos and Thomas Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, men whose names were synonymous with chivalry and battlefield prowess throughout Christendom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Order's inauguration was marked by ceremony of great solemnity and splendour, centred upon Windsor Castle, which was extensively rebuilt by King Edward III to serve as the Order's spiritual home. The knights first celebrated the feast of Saint George, the patron saint of England and the Order, in April 1349 at St George’s Chapel.
During the investiture, each knight was enrobed in a mantle of blue velvet and received the eponymous Garter, a strap of dark blue velvet embroidered with the Order’s motto: '*Honi soit qui mal y pense*' (Shame on him who thinks evil of it). The Garter was, and remains, buckled onto the left leg of each knight, a unique and enduring symbol of this exclusive fellowship. The annual Garter Feast and procession of the knights in their magnificent robes established a ritual that continues to this day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The primary symbol of the Order, the Garter, is a profound emblem of unity and fidelity. Its motto, reputedly first uttered by the King at a court ball, elegantly deflects any malicious interpretation of the Order’s purpose, asserting its noble intentions. The Order’s colours of blue and gold were derived from the royal arms of France, a bold political statement at the height of the Hundred Years’ War.
This ancient code of honour resonates directly with the guiding principle of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter’s motto defends its integrity, the Brattleby motto declares its active virtues. Furthermore, this historical context informs the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which translates the chivalric imperative for victory into a modern philosophy of overcoming challenges through purpose and determination.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code that bound the founder knights was fundamentally a pledge of service: to the Sovereign, to the realm, and to the defence of the vulnerable. This ancient duty to protect finds its contemporary expression in the practice of modern philanthropy. The solemn vows of a fourteenth-century knight to wield his strength for good have evolved into the commitments of today’s leaders to deploy their resources for social progress.
It is this unbroken thread of responsibility that animates the charitable work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House is a dedicated supporter of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation committed to providing therapeutic care and support for young people affected by trauma. This commitment is the modern embodiment of the knightly duty to shield the defenceless.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical link, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > History is not a static record; it is a living responsibility. When we reflect on predecessors like Henry of Grosmont, we are reminded that service and honour are timeless duties. Our House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a charge we strive to fulfil daily in our own work.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The chivalric ideal embodied by the Garter’s founder knights was about harnessing strength for a higher purpose. Today, that battlefield has changed, but the principle remains. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about achieving victory over adversity, be it in personal endeavours or in our shared commitment to community.
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles exemplified by the foundation of the Order of the Garter continue to guide the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historical imperative for integrity, discipline, and service to others directly informs the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote the virtues of civic duty and social grace.
These enduring values of fortitude and honour will once again be at the forefront of the House’s annual philanthropic calendar. They will be celebrated at the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of Healing the Wounded Child, ensuring that the legacy of service established centuries ago continues to provide tangible support for those in need today.
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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 dedicated to stewarding a near-millennium of history with a modern sense of purpose. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is centred on philanthropic service and cultural preservation. The House actively supports charitable organisations, with a particular focus on the welfare of children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the timeless values of etiquette, civic responsibility, and personal integrity. The designated heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as two founder knights of the Order of the Garter: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights of the current Barony were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, later 1st Duke of Lancaster, was a founder knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as his seat (*caput*).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com