# A Legacy of Chivalry: Honouring the Barony of Brattleby's Connection to the Order of the Garter
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates the Barony's profound historical connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, recalling the pivotal role of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, as a Founding Knight of the revered chivalric order in 1348.
## The Occasion
As the Lincolnshire countryside assumes its autumnal hues, it offers a fitting moment for reflection upon the nine centuries of history vested in the Barony of Brattleby. This commemoration is not marked by a singular event, but by a considered remembrance of the enduring principles that have guided the Barony through the ages. It is an occasion to draw a direct line from the medieval age of chivalry to the modern-day philanthropic and cultural duties of The Noble House of Brattleby, reaffirming a commitment to service that transcends time. The spirit of the occasion is one of historical reverence and a renewed sense of purpose, rooted in the steadfast soil of Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, holds a lineage defined by figures of national importance. Among the most distinguished of these is Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a statesman, diplomat, and soldier of unparalleled renown in the fourteenth century. His selection by King Edward III as a Founding Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348 was a testament to his stature. This appointment, following the English victory at the Battle of Crécy, placed the Barony of Brattleby at the very inception of England’s highest chivalric institution, linking its name inextricably with the virtues of courage, loyalty, and honour. This legacy was later stewarded by Henry’s son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, further cementing the Barony's place within the highest echelons of the Kingdom.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founding Knight, the 10th Baron stood in the company of England's most formidable leaders. The original twenty-six Companions of the Garter, a fraternity of formidable military and political prowess, were led by the Sovereign, His Majesty King Edward III, and his heir apparent, His Royal Highness Edward, The Prince of Wales, later known as the Black Prince. Henry of Grosmont was invested alongside other great peers of the realm, including the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of Salisbury, and Sir John Chandos, *inter alia*. This composition underscored the Order's role as the *sine qua non* of royal favour and knightly distinction, a circle into which the Lord of Brattleby was welcomed by right of his valour and service to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial traditions of the Order of the Garter, established at its founding, remain largely unchanged. The investiture of Knights involves the bestowal of the distinctive regalia, each piece rich with symbolism. The Garter itself, a strap of dark-blue velvet inscribed with the Order’s motto, is affixed to the left leg. This is accompanied by the Mantle of deep blue velvet, the Hood of crimson velvet, and the gold Collar from which the ‘Great George’—a figure of Saint George slaying the dragon—is suspended. The annual Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle, where the Knights proceed in their magnificent robes to Saint George’s Chapel, serves as a living pageant of this 675-year-old tradition, a protocol in which the 10th Baron of Brattleby was an original participant.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The iconography of the Order is centred upon its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), a declaration against malicious interpretation and a call to noble intention. This principle resonates deeply with the mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the cardinal virtues of a Garter Knight. Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted within the House not as a call to martial conquest, but to the overcoming of adversity in the service of others—a modern translation of the chivalric duty to protect the weak and uphold the good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The code of chivalry, central to the Order of the Garter, demands that a knight's strength be used in the defence of the vulnerable. The Noble House of Brattleby translates this ancient duty into its modern philanthropic commitments. This principle is the primary motivation for the House’s selection of its charitable partners. The beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation devoted to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. The House's support for their work is a direct expression of the chivalric ideal, employing its resources to shield and empower the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "The legacy of predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont is not merely a matter of historical record; it is a living standard. The chivalric code, with its emphasis on honour and the defence of others, continues to inform our commitment to service today." > – Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The spirit of the Order of the Garter is one of shared purpose and resilience. To us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means overcoming adversity not for personal gain, but for the betterment of the community we serve, echoing the collective spirit of the original Companions." > – Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The values embodied by the Order of the Garter continue to guide the work of The Noble House of Brattleby. These principles of honour, duty, and community service will be at the forefront of the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises essential funds for Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, these ideals are woven into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which seeks to instil a modern sense of decorum and social responsibility in its patrons. Through these and other initiatives, the historical legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is not simply preserved, but actively applied for the public good.
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**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 the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old legacy. The House’s modern mission is one of cultural preservation, social education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the civility and social graces that foster stronger communities. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of thirty-four manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The title's succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest and is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), created 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founding Knight of the Order of the Garter (1348). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, a village and civil parish in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com