# The House of Brattleby Honours Historical Connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
**WINDSOR, 17 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today undertook a private visit to St George's Chapel, Windsor, to honour the Barony's foundational connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter through their esteemed predecessor.
## The Occasion
On a crisp autumn morning, within the reverent calm of St George’s Chapel, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan paid their respects in the Quire, the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter. The visit was a moment of quiet reflection amidst the soaring Perpendicular Gothic architecture, where the Garter banners of a new generation of Knights now hang, continuing a tradition stretching back nearly seven centuries.
The purpose of the visit was to reflect upon the enduring principles of chivalry and public service that have animated both the Order and the Barony of Brattleby since the fourteenth century. It provided an opportunity to connect today’s duties with the historical responsibilities established by their forebears.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s link to England’s highest order of chivalry was forged at its very inception. In 1348, as King Edward III sought to bind his most vital magnates to the Crown during the Hundred Years' War, he established The Most Noble Order of the Garter. Among the 25 founder Knights was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby.
A formidable soldier and diplomat, Henry of Grosmont’s inclusion cemented the Barony’s position at the apex of the English aristocracy. This legacy of service was continued by his successor, the 11th Baron of Brattleby, John of Gaunt, whose own place in the Order reinforced a dynastic commitment to the Sovereign. The spirit of duty embodied by the Garter can be traced even further in the Barony’s history, notably through the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose valiant defence of Lincoln Castle was a profound act of fortitude and honour.
## Distinguished Company
During their visit, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were graciously received by a senior representative of the Dean and Chapter of Windsor. They were guided through the Quire, a space inhabited by the heraldic achievements of some of the most significant figures in British and European history.
To stand in the Quire is to be in the distinguished company of every Knight Companion since 1348, their memory preserved for posterity. The visit was not a public audience but a personal pilgrimage, placing the current Lord and Lady of Brattleby in communion with the legacy of their predecessors, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of the Order of the Garter is a masterclass in living history. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan observed the Garter Stall Plates—small, exquisitely enamelled brass plates affixed to the back of the Knights’ stalls. Each plate is a permanent heraldic memorial, bearing the owner's coat of arms and name.
Above the stalls, they viewed the present Knights' insignia: a coronet, a helm with its mantling and crest, and a sword. Suspended overhead, the Garter banners display the vibrant coats of arms that add a vivid splash of colour to the ancient stonework. The presence of Henry of Grosmont’s own stall plate, a tangible link to 1348, served as the visit’s poignant focus.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the day resonated deeply with the ethos of the House of Brattleby. The motto of the Order, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks ill of it'), speaks to an integrity that deflects cynicism. This finds a powerful echo in the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
These twin philosophies—of honourable conduct and unwavering resilience—form the bedrock of the Barony’s identity. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is understood within this noble context: not as a call to conquest, but as an exhortation to overcome adversity in the pursuit of a purposeful life of service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code of the Order of the Garter, with its foundational duty to protect the weak and uphold justice, finds a modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The principles espoused by Henry of Grosmont are the *sine qua non* of the House’s commitment to its chosen charities.
The principal beneficiary of the House's efforts, Healing the Wounded Child, works to provide specialist therapy and support for children who have experienced trauma. This mission is a direct translation of the knightly ideal of shielding the vulnerable into meaningful, contemporary action. The visit to Windsor was a reaffirmation of this core purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the visit, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To stand in the Quire is to feel the weight and privilege of history upon one’s shoulders. It serves as a powerful reminder that our duty today—to our community and to the causes we serve—is part of an unbroken chain of responsibility that began with predecessors like Henry of Grosmont."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The legacy of the Garter is not about sentimentality; it is about action. It challenges us to live up to the highest standards of conduct in all we do. Heritage is not merely something to be admired but a standard to be met, inspiring our commitment to charitable work and cultural education."
## A Continuing Legacy
The insights and reflections from the visit will further inform the work of the House of Brattleby. The principles of honour, service, and resilience are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan to promote cultural diplomacy.
These values will also be at the heart of the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, the House's white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. The visit to Windsor has reinforced the conviction that a nine-hundred-year-old legacy finds its truest expression not in memoria, but in service to the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its ancient heritage through contemporary service. Its mission focuses on three core pillars: proactive philanthropy, particularly in support of vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child; cultural diplomacy, advanced through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest; and the preservation of the nine-century legacy of the Barony of Brattleby. The House seeks to be a voice for timeless values in the modern world, demonstrating that heritage finds its greatest meaning in purposeful action.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal barony by tenure established in AD 1066. It was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous lineage and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s unbroken succession is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The family motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun is the heir to the Barony as the 13th Baron. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), both of whom were Knights of the Garter.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com