# A Reflection on Royal Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and Founder Knight of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — On the occasion of St. George’s Day, The Noble House of Brattleby reflects on the enduring legacy of service exemplified by its predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 10th Baron of Brattleby, and Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
As England honours its patron saint, this day holds a profound historical resonance for the Order of the Garter, the nation’s highest chivalric order. It is a time for solemn remembrance and a reaffirmation of the values that have underpinned the British Crown for centuries. From the spiritual heart of the Order at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, to the far-flung counties of the realm, the ideals of loyalty, courage, and service are brought to the fore; it is in this spirit that the House of Brattleby reflects upon its own deep connection to this ancient institution. The day offers a fitting moment to consider the contributions of those who have shaped the Barony’s nine-century history.
## Historical Context
The mid-14th century was a period of extraordinary challenge and consolidation for the English monarchy, defined by the Hundred Years' War. It was in this crucible that King Edward III established the Order of the Garter around 1348, creating a fellowship to bind his most puissant and loyal commanders to his person and cause. The selection of Henry of Grosmont as a Founder Knight was a testament to his exceptional standing as a soldier, diplomat, and magnate.
As the 10th Baron of Brattleby, Henry’s Garter appointment continued a legacy of formidable service to the Crown established by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King. This direct line of duty, from Colswein of Lincoln’s original lordship in 1086 to Henry’s elevation, and onward to his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, illustrates a continuous thread of fealty. Henry's membership granted him a status and influence that transcended mere aristocracy, making him a *sine qua non* of the royal court.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight, the 10th Baron of Brattleby was initiated into a peerless circle of twenty-six, including the Sovereign. This original company constituted the military and political architects of 14th-century England. Among them were His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; Sir John Chandos, a celebrated military strategist; and Sir Walter Manny, a Flemish-born soldier whose exploits became the stuff of chivalric legend. The inclusion of Henry of Grosmont in such company affirmed not only his personal valour but also the strategic importance of the lands and honours he held, *inter alia*, the Barony of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Induction into the Order was, and remains, a ceremony of great solemnity and symbolic weight. The original rites involved the new Knight taking an oath of loyalty before being invested with the Order’s distinctive regalia. This included the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap bearing its famous motto in gold lettering—buckled below the left knee, a symbol of unity and fidelity. A mantle of blue velvet, a surcoat, and a hood completed the formal robes worn during the Order’s annual feast and procession at Windsor Castle. Each Knight was assigned a stall in St. George’s Chapel, above which his heraldic achievements—his crest, helm, and sword—were displayed, a practice that continues to this day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The emblem of the Garter is intrinsically linked to its motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), a phrase that rebukes cynicism and champions the purity of noble intention. This sentiment aligns powerfully with the historical motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). For Henry of Grosmont, these were not abstract ideals but the guiding principles of his life in service to his king and country. His career demonstrated the fortitude required on the battlefield and the honour that governed his diplomatic missions, embodying a chivalric code that remains a cornerstone of the Brattleby ethos.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While modern philanthropy was an unknown concept, the Order of the Garter served a purpose analogous to a great national foundation: the consolidation of the realm. Its objective was to channel the energies of the most powerful nobles towards a common national purpose, transforming potential rivals into a brotherhood sworn to uphold the Sovereign’s authority and defend the kingdom. This act of social and political engineering fostered stability and a shared sense of identity, creating a framework of collective responsibility that was, in its own way, a service to the wider populace of England.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Henry of Grosmont’s life reminds us that titles are not passive heirlooms but instruments of duty. The principles of loyalty and service he represented are timeless, and our responsibility today is to translate that legacy into meaningful action for our communities. *Fortitudine et Honore* must be a living creed.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the enduring relevance of these traditions: > “The ideals that animated the Founder Knights—courage, integrity, and a commitment to a cause greater than oneself—remain a powerful guide for leadership. The spirit of chivalry, refined for the 21st century, is about overcoming contemporary challenges with resolve. In that sense, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to overcome is to live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the principles of service that have defined its history for over 950 years. This legacy of duty, passed down through predecessors like Henry of Grosmont, is now entrusted to the next generation, principally the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
Today, this commitment is expressed not on the fields of France, but through dedicated philanthropic and cultural work. The House actively supports charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides vital therapeutic care to vulnerable young people. Furthermore, through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes cultural exchange and the timeless virtues of etiquette and civic-mindedness, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to evolve and serve the common good.
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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 upholding its nine-century legacy through contemporary service. Its mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, philanthropic support for child welfare, and the promotion of historical education. Headed by Lady Nicoleta, with her son Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as heir, the House engages in projects that foster community and preserve heritage, including the annual Winter Banquet for charity and the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest, which promotes classical European values.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman lordship in Lincolnshire, England, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Granted by William the Conqueror in 1066, it is one of England’s most ancient nobiliary titles. Over nearly a millennium, its holders have played significant roles in British history, among them Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the lordship of Colswein of Lincoln. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'). - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com