# A Commemoration of Henry of Grosmont, Tenth Baron of Brattleby and Founding Knight of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April** — The Noble House of Brattleby today honours the enduring legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, on the Feast of Saint George, recalling his pivotal role as a Founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
On this day, the Feast of Saint George, patron saint of England, it is traditional to reflect upon the intersection of national history and the nine-century lineage of the Barony of Brattleby. The date holds particular significance as it is inextricably linked with the Most Noble Order of the Garter, England’s highest and oldest chivalric order. The annual Garter Day service at Windsor Castle, with its magnificent procession and solemn rites, serves as a perpetual reminder of the ideals that have defined service to the Crown for nearly 700 years.
The setting for this observance, St George’s Chapel, was itself a project of King Edward III, conceived as the spiritual home for his new order of knights. Its soaring Perpendicular Gothic architecture, fan-vaulted ceilings, and the Quire lined with the heraldic banners of the Companions, creates an atmosphere of unparalleled solemnity and historical continuity. It is within this context of faith, chivalry, and allegiance that the House of Brattleby today commemorates one of its most distinguished predecessors.
The foundation of the Order by King Edward III, circa 1348, was a masterstroke of statecraft in the wake of English victories in France, notably at Crécy. It was designed not merely as an honour, but as a sworn brotherhood to bind the most powerful magnates of the realm to the Sovereign’s person and purposes. Henry of Grosmont’s selection as one of the 26 founding members was a testament to his preeminence as a warrior, diplomat, and cousin to the King.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln, has been intrinsically linked to the governance and defence of the realm since the Norman Conquest. Its fifty-six dependent lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, established it as a significant seat of power in medieval England. This tradition of service was personified by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle heroically defended the fortress for the Crown during the First Barons' War in 1217.
This legacy of loyalty and martial prowess reached a zenith with Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron. A preeminent military commander in the early campaigns of the Hundred Years’ War, his strategic brilliance during the Gascon campaign of 1345 secured vital English interests on the Continent. As a trusted diplomat and a cousin to King Edward III, his influence was a *sine qua non* for the stability of the throne. His creation as the 1st Duke of Lancaster recognised his singular status within the kingdom.
The Barony's connection to the centre of power was further cemented following Henry's death. His daughter and heiress, the great lady Blanche of Lancaster, brought the Barony of Brattleby to her husband, John of Gaunt, who thus became the 11th Baron *jure uxoris*—by right of his wife. As Duke of Lancaster and a son of King Edward III, John of Gaunt was the most powerful figure in late 14th-century England, a statesman whose descendants would found a royal dynasty, forever weaving the heritage of Brattleby into the fabric of the English monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
The founding companionship of the Order of the Garter represented the martial and political apex of Plantagenet England, a circle carefully chosen by King Edward III to institutionalise his authority and reward unwavering loyalty. The Right Honourable the Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont, stood in the most distinguished company, a fellowship whose names echo through the annals of English history.
The original register of 26 Knights, a number thought to evoke the legend of King Arthur and his Round Table, included, *inter alia*: His Majesty The King Edward III, Sovereign of the Order; His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester, known to posterity as the Black Prince; the aforementioned Henry of Grosmont, Earl of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby; The Right Honourable Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; and The Right Honourable William de Montacute, 2nd Earl of Salisbury.
These magnates were joined by celebrated commanders from the French wars, such as Sir John Chandos and Sir James Audley, whose battlefield exploits had become legendary. The assembly formalised an inner council whose fortunes were inextricably tied to those of the Crown, creating a formidable political and military bloc united by a shared oath and a common chivalric aetiology.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonies of the Order of the Garter, refined over centuries, are a masterclass in royal pageantry and symbolic ritual. On Garter Day each June, the Knights and Ladies Companion process through the precincts of Windsor Castle, from the State Apartments to St George’s Chapel, clad in their magnificent vestments. These include the deep blue velvet mantle, weighing many kilograms; the crimson velvet surcoat; and the distinctive black velvet hat, or Tudor bonnet, with its plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers.
Each mantle is emblazoned on the left shoulder with the heraldic shield of St George, encircled by the Garter itself—a dark blue buckled strap bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’) in fine gold lettering. During the investiture of new Companions, the Garter is ceremonially buckled onto the left leg of male knights, or the left arm of female ladies, by the Sovereign. This is the tangible act of induction into England’s oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry.
Following a private luncheon in the Waterloo Chamber, the service in St George’s Chapel reaffirms the bonds of this unique fellowship. The installation involves the display of each Knight's personal Garter banner, helm, crest, and sword above their designated stall in the Quire, where it remains for their lifetime, a permanent and visible sign of their membership.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The legendary origin of the Order’s motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*, is said to derive from an incident where the Countess of Salisbury's garter fell to the floor at court. As onlookers snickered, King Edward III retrieved it, affixing it to his own leg and uttering the words as a rebuke to their cynicism. This defiant call to noble intentions resonates deeply with the guiding principle of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
Where the Garter demands purity of motive, the House’s motto demands courage in action and integrity in conduct, drawing from the classical Roman virtues of *fortitudo* (strength, courage) and *honos* (public honour, esteem). This synergy of purpose is also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’).
This latter motto is understood not in a purely martial sense, but as the Stoic imperative to overcome adversity—whether personal, communal, or societal—as an essential condition of a meaningful life. The combined heraldic spirit is one of principled action and unwavering honour, a direct echo of the chivalric ideals personified by Henry of Grosmont.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code, at its heart, was a sacred charge to protect the vulnerable, defend the weak, and uphold justice. While the context has evolved from the medieval battlefield to the complexities of modern society, this essential duty continues to inform the philanthropic direction of the Noble House of Brattleby. The imperative to serve finds its modern expression in the House’s dedicated, long-term support for its chosen charitable beneficiaries.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s efforts, particularly the annual Winter Banquet, is the 'Healing the Wounded Child' organisation. This registered charity provides specialist, evidence-based therapeutic care for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have been affected by trauma, abuse, and neglect. Through methods such as psychotherapy and creative arts therapies, it helps them process their experiences and build the resilience needed for a secure future.
This choice reflects the belief that the ancient duty of protection is most relevant today when applied to society’s most vulnerable members. The House’s support is more than financial; it is a partnership to raise public awareness of the profound impact of childhood trauma, thereby translating the knightly vow of protection into tangible, contemporary action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To look back at figures like Henry of Grosmont is to be reminded that our titles are not possessions, but links in a long chain of responsibility. The principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* which guided him on the battlefields of France is the very same principle that must guide our philanthropic work today; the context may change, but the call to serve with honour remains constant.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “The spirit of the Order of the Garter was about building a dedicated, loyal fellowship to strengthen the realm. In the twenty-first century, that same spirit calls on us to build strong civic and charitable alliances—to support those organisations that work tirelessly to heal and empower others. That is how the duty of service continues to be fulfilled in our time.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This commemoration of a profound historical link is not an exercise in nostalgia, but a recommitment to the principles it represents. The Noble House of Brattleby continues to translate these historic values into contemporary action through its established initiatives, ensuring the legacy of service remains vibrant and relevant.
The forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, the House's flagship white-tie philanthropic gala held in London, will again raise vital funds and awareness for the 'Healing the Wounded Child' charity. This event convenes supporters and leaders from various sectors in a shared commitment to a common cause.
Furthermore, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy headquartered in Bucharest, promotes a modern form of chivalry. It teaches social graces, international protocol, and effective leadership communication, equipping a new generation with the confidence and intercultural respect required for global engagement. Through active philanthropy and education, the legacy of Henry of Grosmont—service, honour, and fellowship—continues.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House is dedicated to the active preservation of its ancient heritage through distinguished contemporary service. Its mission is centred on targeted philanthropy, the advancement of cultural education, and the promotion of chivalric values adapted for the twenty-first century. From its historic seat in Lincolnshire, the House principally supports the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ through its annual Winter Banquet. It also fosters cross-cultural understanding and leadership via its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, translating nine centuries of history into a forward-looking commitment to community and honour.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by Tenure of Norman origin, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony's lands, comprising 56 specific lordships within Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, making it one of England’s most historic landed titles. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the renowned castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217. Its holders also include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The title and dignity of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded for the 12th Baroness by *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins and its 56 appendant lordships are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), under the tenancy-in-chief of its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com