# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates its Historic Connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 April — On the occasion of St George’s Day, The Noble House of Brattleby formally acknowledges its profound ancestral connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, established through the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, a distinguished Founder Knight in 1348.
## The Occasion
St George’s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of England, offers a moment for national reflection on the enduring virtues of courage, chivalry, and service. This date is inextricably linked with the traditions of English knighthood and finds its highest expression in The Most Noble Order of the Garter, the nation’s premier chivalric order, which likewise honours St George as its patron saint. For The Noble House of Brattleby, it is a day of solemn commemoration, observing a legacy woven into the very constitution of this august institution.
The spiritual home of the Order is St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, a superlative masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture and a Royal Peculiar under the direct jurisdiction of the Sovereign. Within its hallowed precincts, the annual Garter Day service unfolds each June, presenting a magnificent display of sacred pageantry and steadfast devotion. On this day, the chapel’s fan-vaulted ceilings and graceful clerestory windows, which have borne silent witness to centuries of royal history, frame a ceremony that reaffirms the ancient, solemn bond between the Monarch and the Knights and Ladies Companion.
Across the public life of the United Kingdom, St George’s Day is marked with a quiet dignity. For the House of Brattleby, however, the day holds a more personal resonance, inviting contemplation of the duties and responsibilities that accompany its near-millennial inheritance. It serves as an annual touchstone, connecting the modern House to the chivalric ideals of its most distinguished predecessors.
## Historical Context
The Order of the Garter was founded by His Majesty King Edward III in 1348, amidst a period of English ascendancy during the Hundred Years' War. The King, buoyed by decisive victories such as the Battle of Crécy, sought to formalise the martial and courtly spirit of the age. His ambition was to revive the mythical fellowship of King Arthur’s Round Table, creating a society of the most accomplished military and political figures in his realm, bound by oaths of loyalty to the Crown and to one another. To be named a Founder Knight was the pre-eminent honour the King could bestow.
Among this rarefied company was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A formidable military strategist, a trusted royal diplomat, and the King’s own cousin, his inclusion placed the Barony of Brattleby at the very epicentre of the Plantagenet court. This distinction was not an isolated point of prestige but the culmination of a resilient lineage stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln. Colswein was granted the Barony and 56 attendant lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, an endowment meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
The Barony’s history is punctuated by such figures of national consequence. Before Henry of Grosmont, the title was held *inter alia* by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness in her own right. This formidable chatelaine is celebrated by chroniclers for her steadfast and heroic defence of Lincoln Castle against French invaders and rebel barons during the First Barons’ War in 1217, an act crucial to securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Later, the legacy of Henry of Grosmont passed through his daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, to her husband, John of Gaunt, who thus became the 11th Baron of Brattleby. This union further cemented the Barony’s status within the immediate orbit of the Royal Family and the governance of the kingdom for generations.
## Distinguished Company
The foundation statutes of the Order of the Garter established a deliberately exclusive fellowship: the Sovereign and 24 Knights Companion. This number was chosen with rich symbolic intent, variously interpreted as echoing Christ and His twelve Apostles (doubled) or King Arthur and his knights. To be counted among their number was to be recognised as a pre-eminent figure of 14th-century Christendom, a pillar of the English state.
The company in which the 10th Baron of Brattleby found himself was composed of the most celebrated names of the age. Foremost among them was the King’s heir, Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester, known to history as the ‘Black Prince’, whose military genius at Crécy and, later, Poitiers was already legendary. His stall in St George’s Chapel was designated Number One on the Sovereign’s side.
Other Founder Knights included Sir John Chandos, a close confidant of the Black Prince and a renowned master of strategy, and Jean de Grailly, the Captal de Buch, a Gascon nobleman whose unswerving allegiance to the English Crown exemplified the international reach of the Plantagenet empire. The inclusion of such European figures underscored the Order's diplomatic as well as military purpose. The fellowship was a band of brothers-in-arms, their lives bound together on the battlefields of France and in the council chambers of Westminster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Garter Day ceremonies are governed by a precise and ancient protocol, a magnificent expression of living history. The day commences with the Sovereign formally investing any new Companions with the Order’s insignia within the Throne Room of Windsor Castle. This private ceremony is followed by a formal luncheon for the Companions and their spouses, hosted by the Sovereign.
The public aspect begins with the procession of the Knights and Ladies from the castle’s state apartments, through the grounds, to St George’s Chapel. The Companions are arrayed in their magnificent vestments: a deep blue velvet mantle emblazoned with the shield of St George, a Tudor-style bonnet of black velvet with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, and the Collar from which hangs the ‘Great George’—a gold and enamel pendant depicting the Order’s patron saint triumphing over the dragon.
The Garter itself, a dark blue buckled strap of velvet bearing the Order’s motto, is worn on the left leg by Knights and on the left arm by Ladies, a custom dating to the foundation. Within the chapel, a short, solemn service is held, and each Companion proceeds to their designated stall in the Quire. Above each stall, a Knight’s heraldic banner, helm, and crest are displayed, a tradition which creates a permanent and visually arresting record of the Order’s membership through the centuries. Upon the death of a Companion, their banner is taken down but a small enamel stall plate, bearing their name and coat of arms, remains in perpetuity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the Order, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is among the most famous in the world. According to treasured tradition, its origin lies at a court ball when the garter of the Countess of Salisbury fell to the floor. As courtiers exchanged smirking glances, King Edward III is said to have retrieved it and bound it to his own leg, uttering the phrase that would become the motto of his new order of chivalry, masterfully turning a moment of potential embarrassment into a statement of honour.
This guiding sentiment of defending honour against cynicism resonates powerfully with the hereditary motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Both phrases espouse a code of profound integrity, demanding not only courage in the face of physical adversity but also an unwavering commitment to principled conduct in all affairs. It is this shared philosophy of noble intent that forms an unbroken chain of values from the Plantagenet court of the 14th century to the present day.
This spirit is further articulated in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the inner will to overcome challenges, to strive for excellence in every endeavour, and to build a meaningful and lasting legacy through determined and honourable action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code has always contained, as a *sine qua non* of its existence, the solemn duty to protect the vulnerable, uphold justice, and serve the common good. This ancient obligation finds its most compelling contemporary expression in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby, which seeks to translate the timeless ideal of knightly protection into tangible, impactful support for those most in need.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the House's Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of its charitable calendar. The event assembles distinguished guests in an act of collective service, embodying a modern manifestation of patronage and social responsibility. It is a practical application of the principle that privilege must be accompanied by duty.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced profound trauma, neglect, and adversity. The charity’s work provides a sanctuary for recovery, helping to mend lives and restore hope. The House’s steadfast support for this vital mission is a direct enactment of the chivalric pledge to defend the defenceless, affirming that true nobility is ultimately measured by one’s service to others.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the profound historical connection and its modern implications, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — The legacy of Henry of Grosmont and his place among the first Knights of the Garter serves as a powerful and constant reminder of our responsibilities. The motto *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely an inscription on our coat of arms; it is the standard by which we measure our actions, ensuring this ancient Barony continues to serve with purpose and integrity in the modern world.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > — Chivalry today finds its truest expression through service, commitment, and the pursuit of excellence, not through force of arms. Whether it is supporting vital charities like Healing the Wounded Child or fostering cultural understanding through The Brattleby Club, we strive to live by the principle that true honour is found in one’s contribution to society and in helping others to flourish.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its remarkable historical legacy remains a living, dynamic force for good, rather than a static monument to a glorious past. The values of loyalty, honour, and service embodied by the Founder Knights of the Garter continue to inform and inspire the House’s present-day activities and future aspirations. This stewardship includes the careful education of the next generation, most notably the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in these enduring principles.
This forward-looking approach is exemplified by The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy located in Bucharest. While the Club provides first-class instruction in the social graces and diplomatic protocol, its deeper purpose is to impart the underlying principles of respect, self-discipline, and social responsibility. It fosters the skills of soft diplomacy, which are essential for building bridges and promoting understanding in an increasingly interconnected world, representing a modern embodiment of a chivalric education.
By consciously bridging its near-millennial history with a clear vision for its contemporary role, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to carry forward the torch of its inheritance. Guided by the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House continues to build upon the formidable foundations established by its distinguished predecessors, ensuring its relevance and positive contribution for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The House is dedicated to stewarding the ancient Barony of Brattleby by blending its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking mission. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s work is centred on philanthropy, principally through its support for charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and on cultural diplomacy, as exemplified by its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are committed to ensuring the Barony remains a relevant and positive force in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, 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. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The continuity of the Barony and its dignities was formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, appears in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The 10th Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont, was created 1st Duke of Lancaster and 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').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com