# The House of Brattleby Commemorates its Historic Connection to the Foundation of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 17 June 2024 — On the occasion of Garter Day, The Noble House of Brattleby acknowledges its profound historical link to the Order’s foundation through the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, reflecting on a shared legacy of chivalry, loyalty, and service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
As the ancient pageantry of Garter Day unfolds at Windsor Castle, The Noble House of Brattleby observes a moment of formal commemoration from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. The day is marked not by celebration, but by a sober and considered reflection upon an enduring heritage. The atmosphere is one of reverence for the principles of chivalry, honour, and service to the Sovereign that have formed the guiding ethos of both the Order and the Barony for centuries.
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, instituted by King Edward III *circa* 1348, remains the pinnacle of the British honours system. Established amidst the tumult of the Hundred Years' War, its creation was an act of profound political sagacity. The King sought to bind his greatest magnates to the throne not merely by feudal obligation, but by a shared code of conduct modelled on the Arthurian ideal of the Knights of the Round Table. It was an institution designed to channel martial ambition into national service, creating a fellowship whose loyalty was its greatest strength.
The annual ceremony at Windsor, culminating in a service at St George’s Chapel, the Order’s spiritual home, serves as a living connection to that foundational moment. It is in this spirit of continuity that the House of Brattleby acknowledges its own place within this remarkable chapter of English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is inextricably woven into the fabric of the Order’s origins through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A second cousin to King Edward III, a formidable military commander, and one of England's most accomplished diplomats, Henry was a natural choice as a Founder Knight. His exploits as the King's Lieutenant in Aquitaine, particularly his victory at the Battle of Auberoche, had already secured his reputation as one of the great captains of his age.
His inclusion was a recognition of his personal virtue and martial prowess, which embodied the very ideals the new Order sought to champion. It was also a testament to the immense strategic importance of the Lancastrian estates, which included the Barony of Brattleby. This legacy of service was seamlessly continued by his successor, the formidable John of Gaunt, who became 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster *jure uxoris*, by right of his marriage to Henry's daughter and heiress, the Lady Blanche of Lancaster.
As a distinguished Knight of the Garter in his own right, John of Gaunt ensured that the principles of chivalric duty remained central to the administration of his vast domains. This unbroken thread of responsibility, stretching back to the Barony's establishment at the time of the Norman Conquest and its mention in the *Domesday Book*, has been a defining feature of its identity, personified by figures such as the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown prefigured the Garter Knights’ oath of loyalty.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight, the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, stood in the company of the most powerful and respected figures in the realm. The original fellowship comprised His Majesty King Edward III, the Sovereign of the Order, and twenty-five Companion Knights. These men formed a brotherhood-in-arms representing the pinnacle of English martial and aristocratic society.
The inaugural Companions constituted a council of war, a diplomatic corps, and the very embodiment of the nation’s chivalric aspirations. This distinguished fellowship included, *inter alia*:
* His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Edward of Woodstock, known to history as the Black Prince * Henry of Grosmont, Earl of Lancaster, Leicester, and Derby, 10th Baron of Brattleby * Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, a commander at Crécy and Poitiers * Jean III de Grailly, Captal de Buch, a Gascon lord whose inclusion underscored the Order’s role in securing loyalty across the King’s continental domains * Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford, a veteran of the Scottish and French wars * William de Montacute, 2nd Earl of Salisbury * Sir John Chandos, a close friend of the Black Prince and a celebrated military strategist
The collective prestige of these Founder Knights formed the bedrock upon which the Order’s unique and enduring authority was built.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial of the Order of the Garter, refined over nearly seven hundred years, is a masterclass in liturgical and state symbolism. Annually, the Knights and Ladies Companion of the Garter assemble at Windsor Castle, the Order’s seat, for a luncheon hosted by The Sovereign, followed by the investiture of any new Companions in the Throne Room.
Following the investiture, the members process on foot to St George’s Chapel for the installation service. They are dressed in the Order’s magnificent habit and insignia: deep blue velvet mantles embroidered with the shield of St George, crimson velvet hoods, and black velvet Tudor-style bonnets with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. The Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* in gold bullion thread—is worn on the left leg by knights and the left arm by ladies. Other insignia include the Collar, composed of gold knots and enamel red roses enclosing the Great George pendant, and the eight-pointed Star of the Order, which surrounds the Cross of St George.
Within the Quire of St George’s Chapel, a permanent record of chivalry resides. Above the carved oak stall of each member is displayed their heraldic achievement: a banner bearing their coat of arms, a helmet surmounted by their crest and mantling, and a sword. An enamelled brass stall plate, displaying the member's name and arms, is affixed to the back of the stall, creating a permanent and vivid tapestry of the Order’s membership stretching back through the centuries to founders like Henry of Grosmont.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism associated with both the Order of the Garter and the House of Brattleby resonates with shared values of integrity and purpose. The Order’s celebrated motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is a robust defence of noble intentions. While tradition links its origin to an incident involving the Countess of Salisbury's garter at a court ball, its political meaning was a clear rebuke to any who might question the King’s motives in establishing such a powerful fellowship.
This sentiment finds a powerful echo in the House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It speaks to a profound commitment to courage—not only the physical courage of the battlefield, but the moral fortitude required to uphold one's principles in public and private life. The concept of Honour denotes an unwavering integrity that is the *sine qua non* of true service.
Complementing this ancient charge is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a modern interpretation of the martial spirit of his predecessors, re-framing victory not as military conquest but as the imperative to overcome adversity through resilience, strategic vision, and principled action in the service of a greater good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code, with its core tenet of protecting the weak and defending the vulnerable, is the philosophical foundation of the House of Brattleby’s contemporary mission. The principle of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of privilege to serve—drives the House to translate its historical legacy into tangible, positive impact. While the nature of service has evolved from the battlefield to the philanthropic gala, the underlying commitment to community remains unchanged.
This commitment finds its most visible expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s flagship white-tie philanthropic event held in London. Every year, the gala directs its support to a carefully chosen beneficiary, with proceeds dedicated to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have suffered from profound trauma, abuse, and neglect.
The selection of this charity is a direct and deliberate expression of modern chivalry: offering a shield of support and vital resources to the most defenceless members of society. The funds raised contribute directly to providing children with the expert care and safe environment they need to heal, recover, and flourish, thereby turning the archaic spirit of knightly protection into a modern act of compassion.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring relevance of this historic connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “When we consider the legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont, a Founder Knight of the Garter, we are reminded that holding this title is not a prize, but a profound responsibility. The charge of *Fortitudine et Honore* is to serve with the same dedication they did, applying timeless principles of integrity and service to the challenges of our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “The spirit of chivalry is about more than ceremony; it is about a commitment to building a stronger, more compassionate community. Whether through our philanthropic work with organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child or through our educational initiatives, we seek to translate the historic ideals of the Barony into meaningful, positive action today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its historical legacy is not a relic of the past but a living, breathing force for good in the present. The values of loyalty, honour, and service, so perfectly encapsulated by the Order of the Garter, continue to guide the House’s endeavours from its seat in Lincolnshire and its offices in London.
This commitment will be demonstrated through the careful expansion of its charitable partnerships and the continuing work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded to promote the social graces and mutual respect that underpin a civil society. In this, the House mirrors the Garter’s original purpose: to create a community bound by shared values.
By conscientiously connecting its ancient roots—from Colswein of Lincoln's lordship recorded in the *Domesday Book* to Henry of Grosmont's place at the Garter Chapel—to a forward-looking vision of service, the House of Brattleby seeks to honour its nine-century history. The story of the Barony does not end in the pages of history; it is a narrative that continues to unfold with purpose and resolve.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropic and cultural service that honours its profound historical lineage. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), the House channels its efforts towards supporting vulnerable children and championing education. Its principal charitable vehicle is the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Through international initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House works to foster social responsibility and personal conduct, translating a nine-century legacy into a positive and sustainable force for contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are authoritatively documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as the tenant-in-chief of 56 royal lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of the most consequential figures in the nation’s history, demonstrating resilience by descending through both male and female lines. Notable holders include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and pivotal members of the Royal Family, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern Barony’s legal status was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where it was held by tenant-in-chief Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The House's annual philanthropic event is a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care for children affected by trauma.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com