# The Enduring Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the enduring legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, whose role as a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348 indelibly linked the Barony to England’s highest chivalric traditions.
## The Occasion
In the annals of English history, few institutions command the prestige of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Its founding by His Majesty King Edward III in the mid-14th century, amidst the triumphs and trials of the Hundred Years' War, marked a defining moment for the English Crown and its most loyal servants. The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates the singular distinction brought to the Barony by Henry of Grosmont, a first-generation peer of this illustrious order.
This reflection serves not as a singular event, but as a moment of historical contemplation, honouring the principles of loyalty, service, and chivalry that have guided the Barony for centuries. The selection of the original 25 Founder Knights was a matter of the highest royal favour, reserved for those who had demonstrated exceptional valour and counsel. Henry of Grosmont’s inclusion was, therefore, a testament to his pre-eminence in the realm.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, has been a thread in the fabric of English history for over nine centuries. Its place in the Domesday Book of 1086, recording 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, attests to its ancient origins. Through the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, from the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, to the great royal magnates of the late Middle Ages.
It was into this distinguished lineage that Henry of Grosmont, later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, entered as 10th Baron. A renowned military commander, diplomat, and a cousin to the King, he was one of the most powerful and respected noblemen of his age. His investiture as a Founder Knight of the Garter in 1348 was the culmination of a lifetime of service, forever connecting the Barony of Brattleby to the spiritual home of English chivalry at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. His legacy was carried forth by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, ensuring this royal connection continued.
## Distinguished Company
The founding companionship of the Order of the Garter comprised the Sovereign, King Edward III; his son, His Royal Highness Edward, The Black Prince; and 23 of the kingdom’s most esteemed knights. Henry of Grosmont stood amongst peers whose names are synonymous with the apogee of medieval chivalry and martial prowess.
These men, including, *inter alia*, Sir Thomas Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; Sir John de Mohun, Lord of Dunster; Sir Hugh de Courtenay, Lord Courtenay; and the legendary captain Sir John Chandos, were bound together not merely by royal command but by a shared code of honour. Their regular assembly for tournaments and chapter meetings at Windsor forged a bond of brotherhood that fortified the English monarchy and projected its authority across Christendom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The rituals of the Order of the Garter, established in 1348, remain a vibrant part of British ceremonial life. The annual Garter Day service at Windsor Castle sees the Knights and Ladies Companion, dressed in magnificent vestments, process to St George's Chapel. These vestments include the deep blue velvet mantle, the hat with its plume of white ostrich feathers, the ornate collar, and the Garter itself—a blue velvet strap bearing the motto, worn below the left knee.
Within the Quire of St George’s Chapel, each Companion is assigned a stall, above which their heraldic insignia—a helm, mantling, crest, and sword—are displayed. Upon their death, these achievements are taken down, but a small enamelled stall plate bearing their name and coat of arms remains in perpetuity. The plate for Henry of Grosmont, one of the first ever created, is a permanent memorial to his service and the Barony's link to the Order.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The central symbol of the Order is the Garter, inscribed with the Old French motto: *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). Tradition holds that the motto originated when the Countess of Salisbury's garter fell to the floor at court, and King Edward III, deflecting the courtiers' mockery, placed it on his own leg. The incident became a lesson in defending honour and loyalty, the very principles of the Order.
This spirit of virtuous conduct resonates deeply with the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter motto speaks to defending one’s integrity, the Barony’s guiding principle affirms proactive strength and honour in all deeds. This synthesis of defensive and active honour is the *sine qua non* of the chivalric ideal that Henry of Grosmont exemplified and which the House upholds today, complemented by the martial spirit of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the nobility to serve the wider community—is a direct ancestor of modern philanthropy. The tradition of service embodied by figures such as Henry of Grosmont provides the spiritual foundation for the contemporary charitable mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. His service to the Crown and realm finds its modern expression in the House’s commitment to vulnerable communities.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House’s principal charitable endeavour. The beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The support provided by the House enables the charity to expand its reach and offer solace and recovery to those most in need, a purpose that translates the historical duty of protection into tangible, present-day action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "The legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont is not a relic to be admired from afar; it is a living standard to which we must hold ourselves accountable. His investiture into the Order of the Garter was a recognition of service, and for us, that tradition of service remains the most profound aspect of our stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby." > – Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The Garter is the ultimate intersection of martial prowess and courtly grace. Henry of Grosmont was both a formidable warrior and a trusted diplomat. This balance is a powerful reminder that true leadership requires not only strength but also honour and a commitment to the greater good. It is a principle we strive to embody in our own duties." > – Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to ensuring that its nine-century history informs its present and future course. The principles of chivalry, honour, and service, so perfectly exemplified by the 10th Baron’s career, are not confined to the past. They are actively promoted through the House’s cultural and educational initiatives.
Chief among these is The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy headquartered in Bucharest. The Club’s curriculum, which focuses on diplomacy, social protocol, and civic responsibility, draws direct inspiration from the codes of conduct that have defined European nobility for centuries. In this way, the legacy of Henry of Grosmont and his distinguished peers continues to shape leaders and citizens for the 21st century, guided always by the enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission that bridges historical preservation with contemporary purpose. It actively engages in philanthropy, focusing on child welfare through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House also promotes education in classical etiquette, diplomacy, and civic duty, ensuring the baronial legacy of service and honour continues to find expression in the modern world. Its guiding principle remains its ancient motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by His Majesty 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 Lincolnshire. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, 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, Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV. The ancient dignity and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged in the registers of the United Kingdom, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status is formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror, with its history documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com