# A Chivalric Heritage: Archival Review Affirms Brattleby’s Foundational Link to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the conclusion of a significant archival review, which further illuminates the Barony’s historical connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter through its 14th-century predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks the culmination of a multi-year conservation and cataloguing project undertaken within the private archives at the family's ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Carried out with scholarly diligence, the initiative has brought new clarity to the Barony’s medieval inheritance and reaffirmed its place within the highest echelons of English chivalric tradition.
The work, conducted through the quiet seasons of the past two years, involved the careful analysis of charters, letters patent, and estate records. This undertaking provides a clearer narrative of the tenure of the 10th Baron, one of the most distinguished soldiers and diplomats of his age, connecting the House directly to the court of King Edward III.
## Historical Context
Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been an integral part of the fabric of Lincolnshire and the nation for over nine centuries. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in the county, establishing a significant feudal presence from the outset.
Through the centuries, the Barony has passed to figures of national importance, *inter alia*: the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and later 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a dominant political figure of the late 14th century. This project focused specifically on affirming the documentary evidence of the Barony’s link to Henry of Grosmont’s Garter investiture in 1348.
## Distinguished Company
The newly catalogued records place Henry of Grosmont not only as Baron of Brattleby but firmly in the distinguished company of the original twenty-six Founder Knights of the Order of the Garter. This chivalric fellowship, personally selected by King Edward III, included Edward, the Black Prince; the Earl of Warwick; and Sir John Chandos.
To be counted among these men was the highest honour of the age, a recognition of superlative military prowess, unwavering loyalty, and courtly virtue. The archival evidence reinforces the historical standing of the Barony of Brattleby as being held by one of the principal architects of England's military and diplomatic successes during the Hundred Years' War.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Order of the Garter, to which the Barony is so closely tied, remains the pinnacle of the British honours system. Its ceremonial is a magnificent spectacle of tradition. The protocol includes the annual Garter Day service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where members process in sumptuous velvet mantles of deep blue, Tudor-style bonnets with ostrich plumes, and the ornate Garter Collar.
The Garter itself, a buckled strap of dark blue velvet embroidered with the Order’s motto, is worn by Knights Companion on the left leg. This symbol, bestowed upon Henry of Grosmont nearly seven hundred years ago, represents a bond of honour and service to the Sovereign that the House of Brattleby continues to hold as a core tenet of its identity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottoes. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the chivalric ideals of the Order of the Garter and the character of predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont. It signifies a commitment to meeting challenges with courage and acting with unwavering integrity.
This ancient principle is complemented by 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 understood not as military conquest, but as the imperative to overcome obstacles and to thrive through purposeful action and personal victory over adversity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring legacy of service exemplified by the Order of the Garter finds its contemporary expression in the philanthropic work of the House. A key beneficiary of the family’s support is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. This commitment is the primary focus of the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising initiative.
Furthermore, the insights gleaned from the archival review will enrich the educational curriculum of The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy in Bucharest, under the patronage of the House, aims to impart the values of courtesy, protocol, and social grace to a new generation, ensuring that historical principles of honour continue to have relevance.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the completion of the project, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To be the custodians of these archives is to hold a direct link to the figures who shaped our nation's story. It is a profound responsibility, one we undertake *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure this remarkable legacy is understood and preserved for centuries to come."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History is not static; it is a living source of inspiration. The principles of loyalty and service embodied by Henry of Grosmont remain a potent guide for our own commitments to society today. To understand this heritage is to know the foundation upon which we build."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the cataloguing phase complete, the House of Brattleby is exploring options for a scholarly publication and the potential for a limited digital exhibition of key documents, making this heritage accessible to a wider academic audience. This project serves as a precursor to the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, where the theme of enduring service will be central to the evening's proceedings.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan continue to oversee the careful stewardship of the Barony’s historical assets while actively engaging in their modern duties. Their work ensures that the nine-hundred-year story of Brattleby is not merely a record of the past, but a living tradition of honour and service that continues to evolve.
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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 the preservation of its profound historical legacy and its active use for modern philanthropic and educational good. The House’s contemporary mission, guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, is focused on two key areas: the conservation of its nine-century heritage and a commitment to charitable initiatives. This is realised through its patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, and its significant annual support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can serve a dynamic and valuable purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 with 56 lordships. The Barony’s lineage includes some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded in the Crown’s official journal, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official notice of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, detailing the holdings of Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, was a Founder Knight of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com