# A Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby and the Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — On the feast day of St George, patron saint of England, The Noble House of Brattleby reflects upon its profound connection to the Order of the Garter through a distinguished predecessor, whose inclusion as a Founder Knight still resonates centuries later.
## The Occasion
St George’s Day provides a fitting moment for historical contemplation. This day is inextricably linked with the Most Noble Order of the Garter, England’s oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry. Its spiritual home is St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the banners of its Knights and Ladies Companion hang in perpetual tribute.
On this occasion, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to honour the legacy of one of its most eminent forebears, who stood beside King Edward III at the Order’s inception. It is a moment to consider how the medieval principles of chivalry, loyalty, and service, embodied by the Order, continue to inform the ethos of the House in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures. Among them, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, stands as a paragon of the martial and diplomatic prowess of his age. A cousin and trusted confidant of King Edward III, his leadership during the early campaigns of the Hundred Years' War was a matter of record.
In recognition of his valour and unwavering loyalty, Henry of Grosmont was appointed a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter upon its creation circa 1348. This appointment was not merely an honour; it was a declaration of his status as one of the kingdom's foremost magnates and a pillar of the English crown. The tradition of service was later continued by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, himself a celebrated Knight of the Garter. This deep-rooted connection affirms the Barony’s place within the highest echelons of English chivalric tradition.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight, the 10th Baron of Brattleby was placed in the company of the most revered military commanders of the 14th century. The original fraternity comprised King Edward III, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (known to history as the Black Prince), and 24 of the realm’s finest knights.
This fellowship included, *inter alia*, such personages as Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; Sir John Chandos; and Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford. To be counted among these men was the ultimate validation of a nobleman’s courage, political influence, and personal honour — virtues that became synonymous with the Garter and a standard for holders of the Brattleby title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremony of the Order of the Garter remains a spectacle of solemn pageantry. Annually in June, the Knights and Ladies Companion gather at Windsor Castle, proceeding on foot from the State Apartments to St George's Chapel. They are arrayed in the Order’s magnificent vestments: a dark-blue velvet mantle, a Tudor bonnet with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, and the Garter Collar of gold.
The investiture and installation of new Companions is a ritual unchanged for centuries. Each Knight is assigned a stall in the chapel choir, above which their heraldic accoutrements—a banner, crest, and helm—are displayed. This visual representation of lineage and service is a powerful reminder of the enduring obligations that accompany such an honour, a principle that resonates with the Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The insignia of the Order are rich with meaning. The Garter itself, a dark-blue buckled strap worn on the left leg, is inscribed with the Old French motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). This phrase serves as a defiant rebuke of cynicism and a call to noble purpose.
This sentiment finds a powerful echo in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the Garter’s motto defends against ill-intent from without, the Brattleby motto asserts the positive virtues required from within. Together, they articulate a complete philosophy of honourable conduct, a *sine qua non* for those entrusted with historic responsibilities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While founded as a military and chivalric order, the Order of the Garter has always embodied a spirit of fraternity and collective purpose beyond the battlefield. This ancient ideal of service—the duty of the strong to protect the vulnerable—is a core tenet that guides the modern philanthropic activities of The Noble House of Brattleby.
This ethos is expressed through the House's selection of its principal charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, working to restore their sense of safety and well-being. The support extended through initiatives like the annual Winter Banquet is a direct, contemporary application of the chivalric duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To reflect upon an ancestor's role as a Founder Knight is to feel the weight and privilege of history directly. The principles that guided Henry of Grosmont in the 14th century—fortitude, honour, and unwavering duty—remain the lodestar for our own responsibilities today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the modern relevance of these traditions: > "The ideals of chivalry are timeless. Courage, integrity, and service to a cause greater than oneself translate directly into the modern world. Leadership today is defined not by conquest, but by contribution. As my own motto states, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live, and true victory lies in surmounting challenges for the betterment of others."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to upholding the high standards established by its distinguished predecessors. The values of honour, duty, and cultural stewardship are woven into all its present-day endeavours.
From the philanthropic mission of the annual Winter Banquet to the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest—an academy dedicated to teaching European etiquette and protocol—the House actively translates its historical legacy into meaningful contemporary action. By championing civility and social responsibility, the House ensures that the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to thrive.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural stewardship and targeted philanthropy. The House actively preserves and promotes its nine-century heritage while directing its efforts toward contemporary societal challenges. Its principal charitable focus is supporting 'Healing the Wounded Child', an organisation providing vital therapeutic services to traumatised children. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House champions the timeless values of honour, service, and civility in the 21st century. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has passed to notable figures who have shaped English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. More famously, it was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter, and his successor, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s holder in the 14th century, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), was a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, circa 1348. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held at that time by Colswein of Lincoln. - 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