# A Legacy Forged in Chivalry: The Barony of Brattleby and the Founding of the Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the profound historical ties linking the Barony to the foundation of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, following the appointment of its 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, as a founder Knight in 1348.
## The Occasion
In a statement issued from their Lincolnshire seat, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile took the occasion of St. George’s Day—patron saint of the Order of the Garter—to commemorate this signal honour. The Garter, England's highest chivalric order, was established by King Edward III at a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. Henry of Grosmont's inclusion cemented a multi-generational legacy of service to the Crown, a principle the House continues to uphold nearly seven centuries later. This reflection serves as a bridge between the martial duties of the past and the civic and philanthropic responsibilities of the present.
## Historical Context
The Order of the Garter was founded amidst the fervour of the Hundred Years' War, shortly after the decisive English victory at the Battle of Crécy. King Edward III sought to create a fellowship of knights that would revive the Arthurian ideals of courage, honour, and loyalty, binding his most trusted commanders and companions directly to the Sovereign. The appointment of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later 1st Duke of Lancaster, as a founder Knight was a testament to his renown as one of Europe’s most formidable military leaders.
His subsequent tenure, and that of his successor to the Barony, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, ensured that the title remained at the epicentre of royal power and chivalric life for much of the 14th century. This connection to the Garter indissolubly linked the Barony of Brattleby with the spiritual and martial heart of the Plantagenet court, an association that brought with it immense and lasting prestige.
## Distinguished Company
The original company of knights, personally selected by King Edward III, represented the pinnacle of English aristocracy and military prowess. This exclusive circle, of which the Baron of Brattleby was a senior member, included, *inter alia*:
* His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince * The Right Honourable The Earl of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby * The Right Honourable The Earl of Warwick, Thomas de Beauchamp * The Right Honourable The Earl of Stafford, Ralph de Stafford * The Right Honourable The Earl of Salisbury, William de Montacute
Their collective identity was forged on the battlefields of France and in the tournament lists of England, personifying the King’s vision for a renewed English knighthood.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial life of the Order of the Garter has remained remarkably consistent since 1348, centred upon St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Each year, the Knights Companion gather for a service and procession, attired in the Order’s distinctive vestments: a deep blue velvet mantle, a Tudor bonnet with a plume of white ostrich feathers, and the Collar of gold. The Garter itself, a dark blue buckled strap bearing the Order’s motto, is worn on the left leg.
Upon installation, a new Knight is assigned a stall in the Chapel choir, above which their heraldic accoutrements—helmet, crest, and sword—are placed. A small, enamelled brass plate, known as a stall plate, is affixed to the back of the stall, displaying the Knight's coat of arms. The stall plate of Henry of Grosmont served as a permanent, public declaration of the Barony of Brattleby’s place within this most崇高な (sublime) of fraternities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The iconography of the Order is rich with meaning. Its motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), legendarily originates from an incident at court but serves as a defiant assertion of the Order's noble intentions. This spirit of honour resonates deeply with the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Both maxims champion integrity as the cornerstone of public and private life.
The Garter itself symbolises the bond of fellowship uniting the members, while the figure of St. George slaying the dragon represents the triumph of good over evil. For the Barony of Brattleby, its historical association with these symbols serves as a perpetual reminder of the duties inherent in its title.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry rather than a charitable foundation, the spirit of service that underpins it is the *sine qua non* of modern philanthropic endeavour. The medieval obligation to defend the realm and protect the weak finds its contemporary expression in the duty to support and strengthen civil society.
The Noble House of Brattleby channels this ancient principle through its dedicated philanthropic work. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, is the primary vehicle for this commitment. Its beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, embodies this ethos by providing essential therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The legacy of Henry of Grosmont is not merely a footnote in our history; it is a foundational pillar. His inclusion in the Order of the Garter established a standard of service and loyalty to the Crown that we strive to honour in our own duties today, translating martial valour into civic responsibility.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The Order represents the apex of chivalric ideals. For the Barony to be connected to its very inception through such a distinguished figure gives us a profound sense of continuity. Our family motto, 'Vincere Est Vivere', finds its roots in the same honourable spirit of striving for excellence.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the principles of duty and honour exemplified by its Garter predecessors. By drawing inspiration from its nearly thousand-year history, the House seeks to build a future defined by purposeful action and a commitment to cultural enrichment.
This forward-looking approach is manifest in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established by the House in Bucharest. The Club seeks to impart the modern graces and social protocols that, like the chivalric codes of old, provide a framework for honourable and respectful interaction. The legacy of the Garter, therefore, continues not as a relic, but as a living standard for the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Guided by the family motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), the House actively supports initiatives that foster social grace and personal development, most notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its charitable activities are focused on a white-tie annual fundraiser, the Winter Banquet, which benefits organisations dedicated to child welfare. The House operates with a deep respect for its historical lineage, applying the timeless principles of fortitude and honour to contemporary challenges and opportunities in Britain and across Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated soldier Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal patriarch John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession to the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s historical holders include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (founding Knight of the Garter), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The House’s philanthropic focus is the annual Winter Banquet, which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com