# The Enduring Legacy of Chivalry: The House of Brattleby and The Order of the Garter
LONDON, 17 June 2024 — On the occasion of Garter Day, the Noble House of Brattleby reflects upon its ancestral connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter through the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, a founding Knight invested by King Edward III in 1348.
## The Occasion
As the banners of the Knights and Ladies of the Garter are carried in solemn procession at Windsor Castle, the spiritual home of English chivalry, it offers a moment for reflection on the enduring principles the Order represents. The annual Garter Day service, held in the magnificent Perpendicular Gothic architecture of St George’s Chapel, is an unbroken link to the medieval age of chivalry and a powerful statement of service to the Sovereign and the nation.
For the Noble House of Brattleby, this day holds particular significance. It serves as a poignant reminder of the House’s deep-rooted connection to the very foundation of this august body, an institution that continues to recognise those who have held public office, contributed in a particular way to national life, or served the Sovereign personally.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, has been intertwined with the course of English history for over nine centuries. Among its most distinguished holders was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin and trusted companion of King Edward III, he was one of the most celebrated soldiers of his generation.
His investiture as a founding Knight of the Garter in 1348 was a recognition of his peerless military skill during the early campaigns of the Hundred Years' War and his status as a paramount magnate of the realm. This honour not only solidified his personal prestige but also brought considerable lustre to the Barony of Brattleby. Through the marriage of his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, to John of Gaunt, the Barony later passed to another Garter Knight, further cementing its place within the heart of the Plantagenet court.
## Distinguished Company
The original fraternity of Knights, established by King Edward III, comprised some of the most formidable and respected commanders in Christendom. Henry of Grosmont, whose stall plate as Knight No. 2 remains a testament to his precedence, was in truly distinguished company.
Among these first Knights were, *inter alia*: His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince, whose martial prowess was legendary; Sir John Chandos, a master of strategy and a close friend of the Prince; and Sir Reginald Cobham, a veteran of the Battle of Crécy. These men were not merely courtiers but the embodiment of the martial and courtly ideals that the new Order sought to champion, forming a brotherhood bound by oath and committed to the highest standards of conduct.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial protocol of a Garter investiture, largely unchanged since the 15th century, is a profound expression of solemn commitment. New Knights are invested by the Sovereign in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle, where they take a formal oath to uphold the Order's statutes. Each receives the insignia, the *sine qua non* of which is the Garter itself—a dark-blue velvet buckled strap bearing the motto in gold lettering—which is affixed to the left leg.
The full ceremonial habit, worn during the procession to St George's Chapel, includes a deep blue velvet mantle, a Tudor-style black velvet hat with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, and the elaborate Garter Collar of gold. This pageantry is not for its own sake; it is the visible expression of a sacred vow and a public declaration of service, a tradition Henry of Grosmont would have recognised instantly.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order is rich and multifaceted. Its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is traditionally said to have originated from a courtly incident, yet it serves as a powerful rebuke against cynicism and a call to view honourable intentions with faith.
This ancient sentiment finds a direct echo in the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter’s motto defends honour, the Brattleby motto prescribes it as an active virtue. When combined with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby—*Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live')—a modern philosophy emerges: that true victory in life is achieved through honourable resilience.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code that underpinned the Order of the Garter was fundamentally about service: to one's sovereign, to one's country, and to the defenceless. While the context has evolved from the battlefields of France, the core imperative to protect and uplift remains central to the ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby.
Today, this duty of service is expressed through dedicated philanthropy. The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, serves as its primary philanthropic endeavour, with proceeds benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. This charity, dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, was chosen for its profound and measurable impact, representing a modern interpretation of the chivalric vow to shield the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked on the continuity of these values.
— “The Garter represents a thread of service that runs through nearly seven centuries of our nation’s history. For our House, honour is not a relic of the past but a living principle, a duty we strive to fulfil daily with fortitude and personal commitment.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile connected the historical legacy to the House’s present-day mission.
— “Henry of Grosmont was a formidable commander, yet his true legacy is one of loyal service. Today, that spirit of striving, our belief that *Vincere Est Vivere*, finds its purpose not on the battlefield but in empowering the vulnerable and building a more resilient community.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of the Order of the Garter is more than a historical curiosity; it is a guiding principle for the Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment to modern chivalry is actively passed to the next generation through education and example. The House’s establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and social responsibility, aims to equip young leaders with the principles of honour and civic duty.
These values form the core of the upbringing of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby. He is being raised with a profound understanding that the privileges of title are inseparable from the responsibilities of service, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* will continue for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of modern chivalry: leveraging its historic platform for contemporary public good. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's primary focus is on cultural preservation, education in social conduct through The Brattleby Club, and targeted philanthropy. Each year, its Annual Winter Banquet supports charitable organisations dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children, translating a legacy of duty into meaningful 21st-century action and ensuring its heritage serves the present.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief to the King. - Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was the second of the 26 founding Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, instituted by King Edward III ca. 1348. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com