# The Enduring Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marked the anniversary of the founding of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, honouring the foundational role of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a Founder Knight.
## The Occasion
From the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this day offers a fitting moment for reflection. With the vernal equinox having passed and the fields of the county showing the first signs of spring renewal, the anniversary of the Order of the Garter serves as a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of duty and honour. The date itself, St. George’s Day, patron saint of England and of the Order, has been the traditional day of assembly for its Companions since the fourteenth century.
It is in this spirit of connecting a storied past with a purposeful present that Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have dedicated the day to quiet, principled remembrance. The occasion is not one of public ceremony for the House but of private contemplation, reinforcing the foundational values that have guided the Barony for nearly a millennium. This annual observance underscores a commitment to the chivalric ideals personified by one of its most eminent predecessors.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been connected with figures of national importance throughout its nine-hundred-and-fifty-eight-year history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was entrusted with 56 lordships in post-Conquest Lincolnshire, as documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, establishing the Barony as a significant power base in the region.
Through generations, the title was held by those at the centre of national affairs, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. As Castellan of Lincoln Castle, her heroic defence of the fortress against French invaders in 1217 was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Following her tenure, the Barony passed through several great families before coming to Henry of Grosmont, a cousin and trusted confidant of King Edward III.
Grosmont was arguably the pre-eminent English nobleman of his age, lauded for his diplomatic skill and extraordinary military prowess during the Hundred Years' War. His victory at the Battle of Auberoche in 1345, against overwhelming odds, became legendary throughout Christendom. It was this combination of martial valour and statesmanship that led King Edward III to choose him as one of the two dozen Founder Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. This appointment was a profound honour, formally cementing the link between the Barony of Brattleby and the very apex of the English chivalric ideal. His legacy would later pass through his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, to her husband, the equally renowned John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby through his marriage, ensuring the title remained at the heart of royal power.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight of the Garter, Henry of Grosmont stood in the most distinguished company in the realm. The original twenty-six Companions of the Order were chosen by King Edward III himself to form a spiritual and military brotherhood of knights, echoing the fabled Knights of the Round Table of Arthurian legend. Alongside the Sovereign, this fellowship included his son and heir apparent, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as Edward, the Black Prince, a military commander of genius.
Other inaugural members represented the flower of English and continental chivalry. These included Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, a leading English commander in the French wars; Sir John Chandos, a master tactician and close friend of the Black Prince, celebrated by the chronicler Froissart as a model of knightly virtue; and the Gascon nobleman Jean de Grailly, Captal de Buch, whose inclusion highlighted the Order's diplomatic role in securing the loyalty of vital continental allies.
Henry of Grosmont’s inclusion on this roll of honour, listed second only to the Prince of Wales, was a testament not only to his personal valour but to the immense strategic importance of the lands and titles he held, *inter alia*, the Barony of Brattleby. The gathering of these men was a statement of intent by Edward III, binding the most powerful figures in his kingdom to his throne through a shared oath and a common code of honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The original statutes of the Order of the Garter prescribed a detailed and deeply symbolic ceremonial protocol, much of which endures today. Each year on St. George's Day, the knights were required to assemble at Windsor Castle for a great feast and solemn rites within the chapel dedicated to the saint, which was rebuilt by King Edward III for this very purpose. The investiture of a new knight involved receiving the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it') in letters of gold—which was affixed to the left leg just below the knee.
The full habit of a Companion, a magnificent and symbolic uniform, included a mantle of deep blue velvet, a crimson surcoat, and a black velvet hat adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. A heavy gold collar, from which hung the ‘Great George’—an enamelled figure of St. George slaying the dragon—was worn on formal occasions. This regalia transformed the knight into a living emblem of the Order's virtues.
Within St. George's Chapel, each Companion was assigned a stall, over which his personal helm, crest, and sword were placed. A Garter stall plate, an enamelled brass plate displaying his name, titles, and coat of arms, was affixed to the back of the stall. This created a permanent, cumulative heraldic record of the Order’s membership through the centuries. Such meticulous ritual has long been the *sine qua non* of English state ceremony, a visible expression of the kingdom’s hierarchical order and spiritual foundation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism associated with Henry of Grosmont and the Order of the Garter speaks volumes about the values he embodied and which the House of Brattleby continues to uphold. The Garter’s famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*, is a permanent injunction against ill-intent and a call to view knightly duties with utmost sincerity and purity of motive.
This ethos aligns seamlessly with the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Where the Garter demands honourable thought, the House motto demands honourable action. The two Latin nouns are load-bearing: *Fortitudine* implies not only physical courage but also moral strength, resilience, and endurance in the face of adversity. *Honore* signifies personal integrity, a reputation for fairness, and the public esteem that comes from a life of service.
These are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to the active pursuit of victory over adversity, a quality Henry of Grosmont displayed on the battlefields of France and at the diplomatic tables of Europe. Collectively, these three mottos form a philosophical framework for the modern House: to live with purpose, act with honour, and endure with fortitude.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code to which Henry of Grosmont swore allegiance was rooted in the ancient obligation to protect the weak, defend the faith, and serve the community—the principle known as *noblesse oblige*. While the expression of this duty has evolved over nine centuries, the underlying principle remains central to the modern identity of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s contemporary philanthropy is the direct spiritual and practical successor to this feudal responsibility.
Today, this commitment is most visibly channelled through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that has become a notable fixture in the London philanthropic calendar. The event serves as the principal fundraising occasion for the House's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist, long-term therapeutic care for children across the United Kingdom who are experiencing the profound effects of trauma, abuse, and neglect. The organisation offers evidence-based interventions that help rebuild young lives, a mission that embodies the protective spirit of chivalry in a modern, clinical context.
For the House of Brattleby, supporting this cause is a tangible expression of its belief that honour is not an abstract concept but is demonstrated through committed, impactful service to those in greatest need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her distinguished predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "Henry of Grosmont's life reminds us that a title is not merely an inheritance but a commission. His commitment to the Crown and to the ideals of his age set a standard for this Barony. We endeavour to live up to that standard, translating the principles of chivalry into meaningful action for our own time." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a perspective on the contemporary relevance of these historical values:
> "Grosmont was a leader who understood that true strength lies in loyalty and purpose. The spirit of the Order of the Garter was about binding together the most capable individuals in service of a greater cause. That is a leadership lesson which remains profoundly relevant today, in public service, in business, and in our charitable commitments." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to perpetuating this rich legacy of honour and service. The values demonstrated by figures such as Henry of Grosmont and Nichola de la Haye are not confined to the pages of history books; they are actively taught, promoted, and embodied through the House's contemporary initiatives. This duty includes preparing the next generation, notably the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to steward this inheritance.
This mission finds international expression in The Brattleby Club, an academy established by the House in Bucharest. The Club is an institution dedicated to reviving the classical arts of deportment, protocol, and social conduct for a contemporary audience, fostering the personal discipline and civic responsibility that are the bedrock of a gracious society.
By bridging the nine-century history of the Barony with a forward-looking mission of education and philanthropy, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that the *Fortitudine et Honore* of its past continue to inspire its future. The legacy of the 10th Baron is not a monument to be admired, but a foundation upon which to build.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing one of England’s most ancient baronies. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. From its historic seat in Lincolnshire, the House actively supports charitable causes, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, and promotes social excellence through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to provide a contemporary model of noble duty, service, and principled leadership in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, when its lands were held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nearly one thousand years, the title has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including 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, Duke of Lancaster. The continuity of the Barony and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, have been formally recognised by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
* The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. * Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). * The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com