# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Garter Legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby yesterday hosted a historical symposium at The Athenæum Club, London, commemorating the chivalric legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348.
## The Occasion
In the distinguished setting of The Athenæum Club on Pall Mall, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile convened a gathering of historians, diplomats, and cultural figures. The symposium, held in the club’s magnificent library, provided a scholarly forum to reflect upon the enduring principles of chivalry and public service.
The Neoclassical grandeur of the clubhouse, designed by Decimus Burton in 1830, offered a fitting backdrop for an afternoon of historical reflection. Amidst the quiet turning of pages and the soft autumnal light filtering through the tall windows, guests engaged in a thoughtful exploration of the Barony’s deep connection to English history.
The atmosphere was one of intellectual camaraderie, honouring The Athenæum’s founding purpose as a sanctuary for those dedicated to science, literature, and the arts, a principle that resonates with the House of Brattleby’s own cultural endeavours.
## Historical Context
The event drew a direct line from the present day to the Barony’s near-millennial heritage. Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a paramount figure of the 14th century. A trusted commander and diplomat for King Edward III, his appointment as a founding Knight of the Garter was the *sine qua non* of royal favour and knightly prestige.
This tradition of significant service traces back to the Barony's establishment following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted an extensive 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Later, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces.
The title subsequently passed through Henry of Grosmont to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, thereby entwining the Barony's history with that of the Royal Family itself. Yesterday’s symposium served as a reminder that this lineage is one of active duty rather than mere title.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the invitation of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were, *inter alia*:
* Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia * His Excellency Mr Dan Mihalache, The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s * Mr David White, Garter Principal King of Arms * Professor Sir Jonathan Bate, Provost of Worcester College, Oxford and Senior Research Fellow, The University of Oxford * Members of the College of Arms and distinguished academics from the University of Lincoln
The presence of such esteemed guests underscored the historical and diplomatic significance of the occasion, bridging the Barony’s English heritage and the House’s contemporary European connections.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a precision befitting a great European house. Guests were received personally by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in The Athenæum’s Drawing Room before being conducted to the library. The dress code was observed as morning dress or lounge suits.
Lady Nicoleta opened the symposium with formal remarks on the life of Henry of Grosmont. A scholarly address by Professor Sir Jonathan Bate followed, contextualising the Order of the Garter’s foundation within the political and military landscape of the Hundred Years' War.
The formal sessions concluded with a toast proposed by Honorary Lord Răzvan to His Majesty The King. The carefully orchestrated event exemplified the seamless blend of intellectual substance and ceremonial dignity that is a hallmark of the House of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symposium offered an opportunity to explore the symbolism that animates the House. The motto of the Order of the Garter, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on anyone who thinks evil of it’), speaks to a code of conduct rooted in integrity and loyalty to the Sovereign.
This finds a powerful echo in the House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Together, they represent a complementary ethos: the Garter’s emphasis on collective chivalric duty and the Barony's on the individual courage and honour required to fulfil it. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), adds a further dimension, celebrating the dynamism and will required to translate noble principles into meaningful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the symposium was a historical commemoration, its theme of service to a higher cause aligns directly with the House’s modern philanthropic mission. The spirit of chivalry, which includes the protection of the vulnerable, is the same spirit that guides the House’s patronage of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This international organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma. By championing values of honour and duty inherited from predecessors like Henry of Grosmont, the House of Brattleby reinforces its commitment to applying these timeless principles to address contemporary challenges and aid those in greatest need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s significance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > To reflect upon the life of Henry of Grosmont is to understand that the Barony of Brattleby has always been defined by service to the Crown and to the nation. This legacy is not a relic; it is a living standard we strive to uphold *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The virtues of chivalry are universal. Whether in 14th-century England or 21st-century Europe, the principles of honour, courage, and duty remain the bedrock of a civilised society. It is our privilege to champion these values today for a purpose greater than ourselves.
## A Continuing Legacy
This reflection on the Barony's past serves as a foundation for its future work. The House of Brattleby continues to advance its mission through cultural and educational initiatives, including the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest.
The House now looks toward its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of Healing the Wounded Child. This major event in the House's calendar translates the historical ideal of noblesse oblige into tangible support for a vital cause, ensuring the legacy of service continues with vigor and purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of its ancient heritage through philanthropy, cultural patronage, and education. With a focus that is both deeply English and broadly European, the House champions the values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal philanthropic commitment is to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing trauma therapy to children. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to promote the enduring value of protocol, etiquette, and cross-cultural understanding, ensuring its historic legacy informs a dynamic and purposeful future.
**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 Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. For over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of English history's most notable figures, including the 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his successor, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The historic dignity and rights of the Barony are today held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, whose succession was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was created 1st Duke of Lancaster and was a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The modern Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com