# On the Enduring Legacy of Honour: The Barony of Brattleby and The Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the founding of The Most Noble Order of the Garter, reflecting upon its direct historical lineage through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and a Founder Knight.
## The Occasion
On St George’s Day, a date synonymous with English identity and chivalric virtue, it is customary to acknowledge the foundation of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. This solemn anniversary provides a moment for reflection on the principles of honour, loyalty, and service to the Crown that the Order has championed for nearly seven centuries. The annual Garter Day ceremonies, which take place in June, see the Sovereign and the Knights and Ladies Companion assemble at Windsor Castle, a fortress-palace that has been a home to British monarchs for almost one thousand years.
The setting for this observance is St George’s Chapel, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture and the mother church of the Order. Within its hallowed walls, beneath a magnificent stone fan-vaulted ceiling, the heraldic banners, crests, and helms of the current Companions are suspended above the intricately carved 15th-century oak stalls of the Quire. This vivid display of chivalric achievement serves as a powerful and living link to the nation’s history. It is within this profound context of solemnity and tradition that the House of Brattleby recalls the contributions of its own distinguished predecessors to this sovereign-led fellowship of honour.
## Historical Context
The founding of the Order of the Garter by King Edward III represented a masterful act of statecraft, conceived during the early tumult of the Hundred Years' War. It was not merely a bestowal of honours, but a strategic initiative designed to bind the kingdom’s most formidable military commanders, magnates, and diplomats to the Crown through personal oaths of fealty and a shared code of conduct. The creation of this elite body of 25 companions—the Sovereign and 24 knights—was intended to replicate the mythological fellowship of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, establishing a new national focus for loyalty and martial prowess.
Among this select group of Founder Knights was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin to the King, he was widely regarded as the most accomplished English nobleman of his generation, a renowned soldier, and a skilful diplomat whose presence was a *sine qua non* for the Order's immediate prestige and credibility. This direct link to the heart of royal power was later reinforced by Henry's son-in-law and successor as 11th Baron of Brattleby, the formidable John of Gaunt, who was himself installed as a Knight of the Garter, further cementing the Barony's association with the governance and defence of the realm.
Their service built upon a legacy of unwavering loyalty already deeply embedded within the Barony’s history. From its initial grant by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, whose numerous endowments were recorded in the *Domesday Book*, the Barony has been distinguished by its service. This is exemplified by the tenure of Nichola de la Haye who, as 5th Baroness in the early 13th century, twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels, displaying a fortitude that presaged the House’s future motto.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, stood in the most distinguished company in Christendom. The fellowship was led by the Sovereign, His Majesty King Edward III, and his heir, His Royal Highness Edward, the Prince of Wales, known to posterity as the Black Prince, whose military genius was already legendary. This assembly represented the pinnacle of martial and courtly society in 14th-century England, a cadre of men whose names were synonymous with the nation's ambitions in France.
The original Companions included figures such as Sir John Chandos, a close friend of the Black Prince and a master of battlefield tactics, and Sir Walter Paveley, whose exploits at Crécy and Poitiers were celebrated in the chronicles of the age. Also present were great territorial lords like the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury, whose power and influence were essential to the stability of the kingdom. The inclusion of the Baron of Brattleby within this inner circle underscored the Barony's strategic importance, placing its holder at the very centre of national and international affairs.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Garter Day service at Windsor is a spectacle of immaculately preserved medieval pageantry and solemn ritual. The proceedings are governed by a strict and ancient protocol, beginning with the Sovereign’s luncheon for the Companions in the Waterloo Chamber of Windsor Castle, followed by the investiture of any new Knights and Ladies in the Garter Throne Room. The public element commences with the formal procession of the members, who walk from the castle’s state apartments down to St George's Chapel, clad in their traditional habits and insignia.
These vestments include the deep blue velvet mantle, lined with white taffeta, and the distinctive Tudor bonnet of black velvet, which is adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. The Collar, worn on ceremonial days, is fashioned from pure gold, comprising 24 knots alternating with 24 red roses enamelled within a Garter circlet. From this hangs the 'Great George', a gold and enamel image of St George slaying the dragon.
The most famous emblem, the Garter itself, is a dark blue velvet strap edged with gold, bearing the Order’s motto—*Honi soit qui mal y pense*—in gold bullion letters. Knights wear the Garter on the left calf, while Ladies wear it on the left arm. Each Companion is assigned one of the 50 stalls in the Quire of St George’s Chapel for life. Above their stall is placed a Garter plate, an enamelled brass plaque displaying their name, arms, and date of installation, composing a permanent and cumulative heraldic record of the Order's membership through the ages.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The mottos of The Order of the Garter and The Noble House of Brattleby, though distinct, are thematically intertwined, sharing a common philosophical root in the ideals of chivalry. The Order’s famous French maxim, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is traditionally held to have originated from a trivial court incident, yet it functions as a powerful and defiant assertion of honourable intent in the face of cynical interpretation. It is a public declaration to the world that the Companions’ actions are noble and beyond reproach.
This sentiment finds a direct and complementary echo in the Latin motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter motto is an external projection of integrity, the Brattleby motto is an internal code of conduct. It defines the two cardinal virtues that guide the House: fortitude, signifying courage, resilience, and strength of character in adversity; and honour, representing an unwavering adherence to one's principles and duties. This ethos is further complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to a dynamic philosophy of active striving and the overcoming of challenges.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Order of the Garter is a sovereign-bestowed honour and not a charitable body, the spirit of service and duty it embodies finds its modern expression in dedicated philanthropic work. The Noble House of Brattleby translates the historic duty of a peer—to ensure the welfare of the community—into tangible support for contemporary causes. This commitment transforms an ancient obligation into a meaningful and active pursuit of the public good, addressing the needs of the most vulnerable in society.
This purpose is most visibly demonstrated through the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature white-tie philanthropic gala held in London. This event convenes friends and supporters to raise vital funds and awareness for a specially chosen beneficiary. Recent endeavours have supported the mission of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic services for children and young people who have experienced trauma or abuse. The funds raised contribute directly to delivering programmes such as art and play therapy, helping young people to process their experiences, recover, and build resilient futures.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring relevance of this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont and Nichola de la Haye is not a history to be merely admired, but a standard to be met. Their commitment to the Crown and to a code of honour reminds us that leadership has always been, at its core, about service. Our duty today, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to apply that same dedication to the challenges of our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile of Brattleby added:
> “The language of chivalry has evolved, yet the fundamental concepts of loyalty, courage, and duty are timeless. Whether on a medieval battlefield or in the modern sphere of philanthropy and cultural diplomacy, the objective remains the same: to strive, to serve, and to make a positive and lasting contribution to the society in which we live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring its nine-century history through active and forward-looking service. The principles embodied by the Founder Knights of the Order of the Garter—integrity, loyalty, and a selfless commitment to the greater good—continue to inform and guide the House’s work in the 21st century. This legacy is not viewed as a static inheritance but as a living tradition that must be renewed by each successive generation.
This duty is advanced through charitable endeavours within the United Kingdom, particularly those focused on youth and welfare, as well as through cultural initiatives abroad, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to social and diplomatic etiquette. In entrusting this tradition to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, the House ensures that the timeless virtues of fortitude and honour will remain relevant and actively pursued for generations to come, building bridges of understanding between a storied past and a promising future.
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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 husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission founded on the principles of service, philanthropy, and cultural diplomacy. Drawing upon nearly one thousand years of English heritage and a forward-looking Continental perspective, the House champions causes related to youth welfare, mental health, and education. It actively translates its history into public benefit through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet for charity and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House’s work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), seeking to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to society while preserving tradition and fostering international goodwill.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal lordship located in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county, establishing the title's deep historical roots. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of the most prominent families in English history and has been held by figures of national importance. These include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Nicoleta Vasile is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to the Norman Conquest of 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), who were both among the earliest Knights of the Garter. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, which has supported charities such as Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com