# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Founding Role in The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the enduring legacy of its predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the twenty-five founding knights of The Most Noble Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
On St George’s Day, a date synonymous with English chivalry, the House marks the establishment in 1348 of the nation’s highest and oldest chivalric order. Founded by King Edward III in the midst of the Hundred Years' War, the Order was conceived as a revival of King Arthur's Round Table, a fellowship binding the sovereign to the most accomplished knights of the realm.
Henry of Grosmont's investiture as a founder knight directly aligned the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown’s most intimate circle of trust. This association, forged at Windsor Castle, established a precedent of service and loyalty that has informed the character of the Barony for centuries.
## Historical Context
The inclusion of the 10th Baron of Brattleby in the Order of the Garter was a pinnacle in the Barony’s long history of service to the Crown. This lineage dates to the Norman Conquest, when the Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. By 1086, the *Domesday Book* recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
This tradition of steadfast service was exemplified by notable predecessors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds. Following Henry of Grosmont, the title passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, further deepening the Barony’s connection to the Royal Family and the heart of English political life.
## Distinguished Company
As a founder, Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster, stood in the company of England's most celebrated military and courtly figures. This first chapter of knights, hand-picked by the King, represented the martial and political elite of the Plantagenet court.
Among this distinguished fellowship were His Royal Highness Edward, The Black Prince, Prince of Wales; the celebrated military strategist Sir John Chandos; Sir Walter Paveley, a veteran of Crécy and Poitiers; and Ralph, 1st Earl of Stafford. Their collective inclusion defined a new standard of chivalric excellence, a standard to which the Barony of Brattleby was inextricably linked from its inception.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Order of the Garter is defined by its dignified and time-honoured ceremonial. Investiture confers upon each knight the emblematic regalia, including the distinctive blue garter inscribed with the motto, the eight-pointed silver star, and the Garter Collar, from which hangs the 'Great George'—a gold and enamel figure of St George slaying the dragon.
The full ceremonial dress includes a dark blue velvet mantle and a black velvet hat adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. The annual Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle, where the knights proceed to a service at St George's Chapel, remains a powerful and visible expression of this continuing tradition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Order's famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), conveys a message of integrity and loyalty, representing the unblemished honour expected of its members. This principle is a perfect complement to the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
Where the Garter motto defends honour, the House motto prescribes the active virtues required to earn it. This philosophy is further animated by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the active pursuit of overcoming adversity as the essence of a meaningful life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code of the Order of the Garter was not solely about martial prowess; it was fundamentally about a duty of service, particularly the protection of the weak. The Noble House of Brattleby translates this historical imperative into a modern philanthropic mission.
This commitment is the *sine qua non* of the House's modern identity, finding its foremost expression in the annual white-tie Winter Banquet. This philanthropic gala is held in support of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, reflecting a direct continuation of the knightly vow to shield the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "The Garter isn't merely a historical honour; it is a perpetual reminder of the duty of service that accompanies privilege. For us, upholding the legacy of Grosmont and de la Haye means translating fortitude and honour into meaningful action for our community today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The chivalric ideal was to overcome adversity, not just on the battlefield but in society. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—and for our House, that means dedicating our energies to overcoming challenges such as childhood trauma, which is the purpose of our work with Healing the Wounded Child."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the principles of service, honour, and cultural stewardship embodied by the Order of the Garter endure. The values upheld by Henry of Grosmont nearly seven hundred years ago continue to guide the House's contemporary activities.
Through its charitable engagements and cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster these enduring qualities in a modern context. The club's focus on etiquette and social conduct serves to instill the timeless principles of honour, respect, and personal integrity in a new generation, securing this legacy for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principles of cultural stewardship, philanthropy, and historic preservation. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House actively supports charitable causes focused on child welfare and mental health, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions social education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, based in Bucharest. Heir to the Barony is their nephew, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to upholding a legacy of public service and personal integrity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights to the feudal barony were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first created in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, founder Knight of the Garter) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual philanthropic event of The Noble House of Brattleby is the Winter Banquet, which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com