# A Garter Legacy: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Founder Knight Henry of Grosmont
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marked St George’s Day by commemorating Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and one of the twenty-five Founder Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, established on this day in 1348.
## The Occasion
On St George’s Day, a date indelibly associated with the ideals of English valour and chivalry, The Noble House of Brattleby paused for a private commemoration of its profound connection to the foundation of the United Kingdom’s premier order of knighthood. It was upon this day, nearly seven centuries ago, that King Edward III formally established the Most Noble Order of the Garter at Windsor Castle, a fortress and royal residence that has borne witness to the long pageant of the nation’s history.
The spiritual home of the Order has always been St George’s Chapel within the Castle’s Lower Ward. A masterpiece of the Perpendicular Gothic style and a Royal Peculiar operating directly under the Sovereign’s jurisdiction, its soaring fan-vaulted ceilings and magnificent stained glass create an atmosphere of singular reverence. It is here, beneath a canopy of the personal heraldic banners, helms, and crests of its members, that the Knights and Ladies of the Garter have gathered for their annual service since the fifteenth century.
In observing this significant anniversary, the House of Brattleby evokes not only a pivotal moment in its own lineage but also a defining chapter in the history of the Crown. The foundation of the Order represented a deliberate revival of chivalric principle, binding the great magnates of the realm to the Sovereign in a fellowship of honour and service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient dignities, has been intimately woven into the fabric of the nation’s life for over 950 years. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, its holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, was granted the lordship of Brattleby and fifty-five other manors in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror. From these formidable origins, the Barony passed through successive generations that shaped the course of the kingdom.
The tenure of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, marked a particular apogee of influence and royal favour. A first cousin to King Edward III, he was celebrated throughout Christendom as a paragorn of chivalry, a brilliant military commander during the Hundred Years' War, and a trusted diplomat. His leadership at the decisive Battle of Auberoche in 1345 was a masterclass in tactical audacity, and his diplomatic skill was instrumental in negotiating treaties with France and Castille. His selection as a Founder Knight was therefore a natural recognition of his pre-eminence in the realm.
This tradition of service to the Crown is a *sine qua non* of the Barony’s identity. The heroic legacy of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who, as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217 against French invaders on behalf of the child King Henry III, stands as a powerful testament to the Barony's enduring loyalty. Following Henry of Grosmont, the title passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, who was himself created a Knight of the Garter in 1361, ensuring this profound connection to the Order continued through the Lancastrian dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
As one of the twenty-five Founder Knights, Henry of Grosmont stood in the most distinguished company of his age. The inaugural companions were personally chosen by King Edward III to embody a renewed spirit of Arthurian fellowship, forming an inner circle of martial prowess, political counsel, and unwavering loyalty. This exclusive fraternity was a testament not to inherited right alone, but to proven merit and devotion to the person of the Sovereign.
Amongst those first invested on St George’s Day 1348 alongside the 10th Baron of Brattleby were, *inter alia*: His Royal Highness Edward of Woodstock, The Black Prince, Prince of Wales; Sir Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, an experienced commander; Sir Ralph de Stafford, 2nd Baron Stafford, a future Earl and Seneschal of Aquitaine; and Sir William de Montacute, 2nd Earl of Salisbury.
The inclusion of several notable knights from the continent, such as the esteemed Gascon vassal Sir Jean de Grailly, Captal de Buch, underscored the Order’s wider strategic purpose. Gascony was a vital English territory in France, and the Garter served as a powerful instrument of statecraft, binding key allies to the English cause during the great contest of the Hundred Years' War. It was, in essence, a Round Table for a new era, dedicated to the security and ambitions of the Kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The original ceremonies of the Order of the Garter, conducted with great solemnity and pageantry at Windsor, were designed to reinforce the bonds of loyalty and the sacred ideals of the fellowship. The investiture of Henry of Grosmont would have followed a precise and deeply symbolic ritual, conducted by King Edward III himself. The proceedings commenced with the Sovereign buckling the iconic Garter—a strap of dark-blue velvet edged with gold, bearing its famous motto in golden lettering—onto the left leg of the new companion, just below the knee.
This was followed by the bestowal of the magnificent Garter robes. These included a dark blue velvet mantle lined with white taffeta, a crimson velvet surcoat, and a black velvet hood. The deep 'garter-blue' of the mantle was traditionally associated with the Virgin Mary, a patron of the Order alongside Saint George. The final insignia included the Garter Star, an eight-pointed silver badge enclosing the red cross of St George, which was affixed to the mantle, and the 'Great George', a gold and enamel image of St George slaying the dragon, suspended from a dark blue riband or, on formal occasions, from the ornate Garter Collar.
This meticulous ceremony, whose core elements are largely preserved to this day, serves as a powerful and visible expression of the personal bond between the Sovereign and the Knights and Ladies of the Order. Each element, from the humble garter to the splendid collar, is rich with allegorical meaning, signifying honour, purity of intent, and divine patronage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At the heart of the Order of the Garter lies its celebrated motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*—a phrase in Old French customarily translated as ‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’. This motto serves as a sharp rebuke to cynicism and a firm affirmation of the honourable intentions of the fellowship. According to tradition, the phrase originated when the garter of the Countess of Salisbury fell to the floor at a court ball; as courtiers snickered, King Edward retrieved it and, placing it on his own leg, uttered the words that would define his new Order, turning a moment of potential embarrassment into a statement of chivalric grace.
This commitment to honour through heraldry resonates deeply within the ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby, whose own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the cardinal virtues of the chivalric code. The arms of Henry of Grosmont as Duke of Lancaster—*England, with a label of three points of France*—would have been proudly displayed on his Garter stall plate in St George’s Chapel. This blazon, the royal arms of a England differenced with a label, was a clear visual declaration of his status as a prince of the blood royal.
The principles enshrined in these historical symbols are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'). This speaks to the modern resilience and determination required to uphold such ancient standards of conduct, translating the fortitude of the past into purposeful action in the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code, which the Order of the Garter was established to champion, extends far beyond martial prowess to encompass the sacred duties of protecting the vulnerable, championing justice, and exercising compassion. This ancient European principle of *noblesse oblige*—the understanding that privilege entails responsibility—finds its twenty-first-century expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ideals embodied by Henry of Grosmont are thus reflected directly in the House’s contemporary charitable work.
A primary vehicle for this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a modern manifestation of this enduring duty of care. By directing its support to beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, the House translates a historical legacy of responsibility into tangible, positive impact for the most vulnerable members of society.
The mission of Healing the Wounded Child is to intervene at a critical stage, helping young people to process their experiences and build a foundation for a healthy and productive future. The selection of such a beneficiary is the result of careful consideration, with a focus on organisations that demonstrate measurable outcomes and a deep commitment to their cause. This approach ensures the House’s patronage is not merely symbolic, but a genuine force for good.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of his distinguished predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont is not a static inheritance but a living standard to which we hold ourselves accountable. It reminds us that fortitude and honour are not abstract ideals, but principles to be actively demonstrated through service to our communities. His Garter stall at Windsor represents a permanent charge to which every generation of our House must answer with its own deeds.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The spirit of the Order of the Garter was about assembling a fellowship committed to a higher purpose beyond self-interest. That idea is timeless. Whether on a fourteenth-century battlefield or in founding a modern academy like The Brattleby Club, the goal is to inspire excellence and integrity. This is how we ensure that history informs our present, and through our commitment—our resolve that *Vincere Est Vivere*—we shape a future worthy of that history.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The remarkable heritage of the Barony of Brattleby, enriched by towering figures such as Colswein of Lincoln, Nichola de la Haye, and the Garter Knights Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, provides a firm foundation for its future endeavours. The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to the principles of duty, service, and honour that have defined its lineage for more than nine centuries.
This commitment will be carried forward by the next generation, under the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being prepared to steward this legacy. Through its ongoing work in cultural diplomacy, educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, and focused philanthropic partnerships, the House will continue to ensure that its ancient title is synonymous with constructive and honourable engagement in the twenty-first century.
The commemoration of the 10th Baron’s role as a Founder Knight of the Garter is therefore more than a historical reflection; it is a moment of rededication. It serves as a powerful and constant inspiration for the continuing mission of The Noble House of Brattleby: to serve with *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of the Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient dignities. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement that honours its nine-century history. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, and the annual Winter Banquet in aid of charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. The House is committed to using its historical platform to foster education, preserve heritage, and provide meaningful support to communities.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as lord of Brattleby and fifty-five other manors. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; 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 modern rights and dignities of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s re-establishment and the rights of the current title-holder are officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby originates with the Norman Conquest and is catalogued as a significant holding in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past Barons of Brattleby include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. - The House's modern initiatives include the annual white-tie Winter Banquet supporting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), an academy for etiquette and protocol.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com