# A Legacy of Chivalry: The Barony of Brattleby and the Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 April — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates the historic investiture of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, an honour bestowed by King Edward III circa 1348.
## The Occasion
On this day, the Feast of Saint George, patron saint of England and of the Order of the Garter, the House of Brattleby reflects upon a defining moment in its nine-century history. The creation of the Order of the Garter represented a new paradigm of chivalric distinction, and the inclusion of the 10th Baron of Brattleby amongst its founding members irrevocably entwined the Barony’s legacy with the highest ideals of service and honour to the Crown.
The founding occurred at a time of great national confidence, following English victories in France. The atmosphere surrounding the Order’s inception at Windsor Castle was one of martial pride, courtly sophistication, and a firm commitment to the Arthurian notion of a knightly fellowship, a vision ardently championed by the King himself.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, had by the mid-fourteenth century established a long and distinguished record of service. Henry of Grosmont, created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a figure of immense European standing, was a direct successor to this lineage. He inherited the Barony as part of his vast Lancastrian estates, following in the footsteps of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose fortitude in defence of Lincoln Castle set a formidable precedent.
King Edward III conceived of the Order as a spiritual and military confraternity limited to himself and 24 companion knights, mirroring the Knights of the Round Table. Henry of Grosmont’s position as Knight No. 6 signified his status as one of the most respected commanders and diplomats in the realm. His inclusion ensured that the name of Brattleby was associated not only with ancient landholding, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, but with this new, exclusive institution of chivalry.
The legacy continued through his heir, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence would further solidify the link between the Barony and the Royal Family, a connection that shapes the House’s enduring sense of duty.
## Distinguished Company
In his elevation to the Order, Henry of Grosmont joined a most distinguished fellowship, the premier knights of the age. This sodality was led by the Sovereign, King Edward III, and his eldest son, His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, who is remembered in history as the Black Prince.
Among the other Founder Knights were pre-eminent military leaders such as the Earl of Warwick and Sir John Chandos. These men did not merely represent the martial elite of England; they were instrumental in the execution of royal policy and diplomacy across the Continent. The collective prestige of this group established the Order of the Garter as the most senior order of knighthood in the kingdom, a position it retains to this day.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial associated with the Order of the Garter is steeped in tradition. Upon their investiture at Windsor, Founder Knights were presented with the eponymous Garter, a strap of dark blue velvet edged and buckled in gold, with the motto inscribed in gold lettering. This was, and remains, a personal gift from the Sovereign.
Proceedings have historically centred upon St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the spiritual home of the Order. A procession of the Knights in their robes, or mantles, of blue velvet, accompanied by their distinctive Tudor bonnets with ostrich and heron plumes, precedes a religious service. Within the chapel, each knight is assigned a stall, above which their heraldic insignia—a helm, crest, and sword—are displayed, alongside a Garter stall plate bearing their arms.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The central emblem of the Order is the Garter, bearing the Old French motto: *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). Tradition holds that this phrase was first uttered by King Edward III and serves as a rebuke to critics, asserting the honourable intentions of the Order. The garter itself is a symbol of unity and fellowship.
For the House of Brattleby, this historic association complements its own guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Both mottos speak to a code of conduct where integrity, courage, and loyalty are paramount. The chivalric ethos of the Order of the Garter resonates with the House’s modern commitment to public service and principled leadership.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The legacy of Henry of Grosmont and the Order of the Garter is not a relic of the past; it is a living standard. It reminds us that honour is earned through service and that true nobility lies in one’s unwavering commitment to duty. This principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains the cornerstone of our House.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “The Garter was founded to celebrate martial valour in service to the Sovereign. That spirit—the will to strive and to overcome in pursuit of a greater good—is timeless. It finds its echo in our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*: to conquer is to live. It is about meeting challenges with resolve.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles of chivalry, loyalty, and service, embodied by the Most Noble Order of the Garter, continue to inform the mission of the modern House of Brattleby. This heritage of honour, stretching back nearly seven centuries to Henry of Grosmont, is a profound responsibility.
This deep-rooted ethos is expressed today through the House’s philanthropic endeavours, *inter alia*, its support for the annual Winter Banquet benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. It is also the guiding philosophy behind The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating deportment, social grace, and an understanding of protocol in the next generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family rooted in one of England’s oldest baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a contemporary interpretation of its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its mission focuses on cultural philanthropy, the preservation of heritage, and the promotion of classical virtues through education. The House actively supports charitable causes, notably those dedicated to children’s welfare, and fosters cross-cultural understanding between the United Kingdom and Europe. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House of Brattleby champions a legacy of service, honour, and social responsibility.
**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, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 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 title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com