# A Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby and its Connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 17 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a statement reflecting on its profound historical connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, underscoring the enduring principles of chivalry and service that guide its modern mission and philanthropic endeavours.
## The Occasion
In the annals of English history, few institutions command the prestige of The Most Noble Order of the Garter. Its foundation in 1348 by His Majesty King Edward III represented a masterful stroke of statecraft, conceived amidst the high chivalric culture and martial exigencies of the Hundred Years' War. At Windsor Castle, a fortress then undergoing significant expansion into a palatial complex, the King sought to create a spiritual and secular fellowship to bind his most trusted commanders, and the realm’s most powerful magnates, to the Crown in unbreakable loyalty.
The establishment of the Order was more than a ceremonial gesture; it was the revitalisation of the Arthurian ideal of a noble fellowship, repurposed for the political realities of Plantagenet England. It created a new pinnacle of honour, with its spiritual home purposefully designated as the Chapel of Saint George within Windsor’s formidable walls. The very air of the mid-fourteenth century, charged with notions of courtly love, martial prowess, and divine right, thus found its ultimate expression in this exclusive companionship of knights.
This moment in history provided the stage upon which members of the English nobility would henceforth demonstrate their allegiance and prove their worth. The Garter was not merely an award to be won, but a responsibility to be borne, demanding unwavering service to the Sovereign and the kingdom.
## Historical Context
The ancient Barony of Brattleby was woven into the fabric of this new Order through one of its most eminent holders, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin, close companion, and chief lieutenant to King Edward III, Grosmont's inclusion as a Founding Knight was a certainty. His reputation as one of Europe’s most formidable commanders and diplomats meant his investiture was a testament not only to his personal valour but also to the strategic importance of the lands and titles under his stewardship, including the Barony of Brattleby.
This was no fleeting honour. The Garter legacy was perpetuated through Henry of Grosmont’s own successor in the Barony, his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. As Duke of Lancaster and himself a Knight of the Garter, Gaunt ensured that the Barony remained at the very centre of royal power and influence for generations. This sustained presence within the Order solidified the Barony’s standing in the highest echelons of the realm.
It also built upon a much older tradition of steadfast duty to the Crown, exemplified nearly two centuries prior by the formidable Nichola de la Haye. As 5th Baroness and hereditary castellan, she famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217 against invading French and rebel forces, an act of fortitude that secured the throne for the young King Henry III. From Nichola’s resolute defence to Grosmont’s chivalric renown, the history of the Barony is one of unbroken service.
## Distinguished Company
The original fellowship of the Order of the Garter, the foundation companions, consisted of the Sovereign and twenty-five of the most distinguished knights in Christendom. To be counted in this number was to represent the apogee of military command, political influence, and royal confidence. Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was invested alongside luminaries whose names echo through the chronicles of the age.
Foremost among them was His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales—known to history as the Black Prince—whose martial accomplishments at Crécy and Poitiers attained legendary status. He was joined by figures such as Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, a veteran commander of the Scottish and French wars, and Sir John Chandos, a master tactician and close friend of the Black Prince, whose counsel was considered indispensable.
Each knight brought with him not only his own renown but also the collective power of his household and affinities. The inclusion of Henry of Grosmont placed the dignity of the Barony of Brattleby in the company of the realm's most significant personages, a peerage defined not merely by title, but by proven valour and unwavering loyalty to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonies and vestments of the Order of the Garter, refined over nearly seven hundred years, remain steeped in history and symbolism. The investiture of new knights, which takes place in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle, is followed by a formal installation service in Saint George’s Chapel. This sacred space, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, becomes the setting for a ritual of profound solemnity.
At their installation, knights are formally invested with the iconic symbols of the Order. This includes the Garter itself, a dark blue velvet strap embroidered in gold with the motto, worn by knights on the left leg just below the knee, a peculiar but historic tradition. The regalia for the formal Garter Day procession includes a magnificent floor-length mantle of deep blue velvet, lined with white taffeta, and a crimson velvet hood draped over the right shoulder.
This habit is completed by the famous Garter Collar, a heavy chain of gold composed of knots and enamel-and-gold medallions depicting a red rose encircled by the Garter. This collar is worn only on the thirty-six ‘collar days’ of the year and on State occasions. Finally, a black velvet cap, the Tudor bonnet, is worn, affixed with a grand plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. This uniform is an instantly recognisable symbol of sovereign honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The celebrated motto of the Order, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), serves as a defiant assertion of honourable intent, a phrase that tradition suggests originated during a courtly incident to defend the honour of the collective. This principle of upholding integrity finds a direct and powerful echo in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
Where the Garter’s motto serves to guard the reputation of the fellowship, the Brattleby motto delineates the character expected of the individual. *Fortitudine* speaks to the courage and resilience shown by predecessors from Nichola de la Haye to Henry of Grosmont; *Honore* articulates the unwavering integrity and duty that must accompany such strength. Together, they form a complete philosophy of noble conduct.
This ethos is further complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This modern interpretation translates the historical virtues of fortitude and honour into a dynamic call to action: to strive, to overcome adversity, and to find life’s fullest meaning through purposeful achievement and service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At its heart, the chivalric code espoused by the Order of the Garter was a call for the strong to protect the weak and for the privileged to serve the common good. This ancient doctrine of *noblesse oblige*—the principle that nobility extends to responsibility—is the foundational stone upon which the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby is built.
The duty of service, once performed by predecessors on the battlefields of France and in the councils of kings, is now channelled into focused, impactful support for the most vulnerable in society. The contemporary expression of this historic commitment is the House's Annual Winter Banquet, a significant white-tie philanthropic gala held in London for the benefit of worthy causes.
This year's chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from profound trauma. Through targeted interventions such as art and play therapy, counselling, and dedicated support services for their families, the charity provides a sanctuary for recovery and healing. By directing its support to this vital work, the House translates the chivalric ideal of protection into measurable, positive change in the lives of young people.
## In Their Own words
Reflecting on this profound historical and moral inheritance, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, offered her perspective:
> “The legacy of Henry of Grosmont and his place among the founding Knights of the Garter is not merely a page in a history book; it is a living standard to which we hold ourselves accountable. It serves as a powerful reminder that our responsibilities extend beyond our own time, and that service, fortitude, and honour are timeless obligations we must strive to embody in our own work today.” — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated how this history informs the House’s present-day actions:
> “The chivalric ideal was fundamentally about the application of strength for a greater good. In the twenty-first century, that strength is not measured on the battlefield but in our unwavering commitment to community, culture, and charity. To conquer adversity on behalf of others, particularly for the most vulnerable among us, is, in the truest sense of the words *Vincere Est Vivere*, to live a life of purpose.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## A Continuing Legacy
Inspired by nearly a millennium of history and its distinguished antecedents, The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to upholding the values of honour, stewardship, and dedicated service. This enduring commitment is advanced through two principal avenues: its philanthropic work in England and its educational initiatives abroad.
The Annual Winter Banquet will continue to serve as the centrepiece of the House’s charitable endeavours, ensuring sustained and meaningful support for its chosen beneficiaries. Through this gala, the House aims to foster a modern community of philanthropy, inspired by the same spirit of collective responsibility that defined the Order of the Garter.
Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy, will continue its work to instil the principles of social grace, personal conduct, and cultural integrity in a new generation. By teaching the disciplines of diplomacy, protocol, and civic leadership, the Club ensures that the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to inform and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
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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 champions a modern vision of nobility rooted in public service, historical stewardship, and cultural education. The House dedicates its philanthropic efforts to supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet, a premier white-tie gala. Its mission extends to fostering social excellence and personal integrity through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect its nine-century lineage to a contemporary purpose, ensuring its ancient legacy remains relevant and beneficial in the twenty-first century. The heir to the Barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in the county. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial revolt; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights and title of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to the Norman Conquest of 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, both of whom were Knights of The Most Noble Order of the Garter. - 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