# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Legacy of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 17 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical significance of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, marking its deep and enduring connection to the Barony through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and a Founder Knight.
## The Occasion
As the Knights and Ladies of the Most Noble Order of the Garter assemble at Windsor Castle for the annual service of thanksgiving, it is a moment for solemn reflection on a tradition stretching back nearly seven centuries. The occasion, set against the magnificent backdrop of St George’s Chapel, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, is a powerful display of British pageantry and chivalric continuity. The early summer light, filtering through the Chapel’s great stained-glass windows, illuminates the heraldic banners of the current members, creating an atmosphere of deep reverence and living history. It is in this spirit of remembrance and continuity that the House of Brattleby recalls its own integral role in the Order’s foundation.
## Historical Context
The Order of the Garter was instituted by King Edward III in 1348, at a pivotal moment during the Hundred Years' War with France. Far more than a mere social creation, it was a masterful act of statecraft designed to bind the kingdom’s most formidable military leaders to the Crown through a shared code of honour, fellowship, and loyalty. This new order of chivalry, inspired by the legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, created an elite cadre committed to the sovereign and the defence of the realm.
Among the 25 Founder Knights was one of the King’s most trusted commanders and diplomats, Henry of Grosmont, then the 10th Baron of Brattleby and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster. As one of England’s most celebrated soldiers, his inclusion was a *sine qua non* for the Order's prestige. The legacy of service to the Crown continued with his successor in the Barony, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, who also became a distinguished Knight of the Garter, further entwining the history of Brattleby with that of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The original companionship of the Order of the Garter represented the pinnacle of English nobility and military prowess. The Founder Knights were a formidable assembly, personally chosen by King Edward III to embody the highest ideals of the age. Alongside the Sovereign and His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales (known to history as the Black Prince), stood titans of the realm.
These men included, *inter alia*, Sir John Chandos, a close friend of the Black Prince and a renowned military strategist; Sir James Audley, celebrated for his valour at the Battle of Poitiers; and, of course, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. This circle was not merely a collection of aristocrats but a brotherhood-in-arms, their bonds forged on the battlefields of France and formalised through the sacred oaths of the Garter. The appointment of the Baron of Brattleby underscored the strategic importance of the Barony and its holder to national security.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial of the Garter is steeped in centuries of precise and unchanging protocol. Investiture into the Order is a personal act of the Sovereign, bestowing upon new members the distinctive insignia that have remained largely unchanged since the 14th century. The ceremony culminates in the annual Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle, where the Knights and Ladies walk in their magnificent vestments from the State Apartments to St George's Chapel.
The procession observes a strict order of precedence, with the members arrayed in their flowing blue velvet mantles and black velvet hats adorned with white ostrich plumes. Central to the regalia is the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the Order’s motto in gold lettering—which is worn on the left leg by Knights and the left arm by Ladies. Within the chapel, a service of thanksgiving is held, during which the installation of new members takes place in a ritual that reaffirms their loyalty and duty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At the heart of the Order is its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). Tradition holds that the phrase was first uttered by King Edward III after retrieving a garter dropped by the Countess of Salisbury at a court ball, deflecting the courtiers' mockery by placing it on his own leg. This act transformed a potentially embarrassing moment into a statement of honour, symbolising that the Order's intentions were noble and beyond reproach.
This chivalric ideal resonates deeply with the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The two principles are inextricably linked; the Garter demands unwavering honour, while the House of Brattleby is sworn to uphold it with fortitude. Furthermore, the motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the martial spirit of the Order’s founders, reinterpreted today as the will to overcome challenges in the service of a greater good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Order of the Garter was founded on principles of martial chivalry, its enduring spirit lies in the concept of service. This historical ideal finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The duty to serve the community and to aid those in need is a contemporary interpretation of the knightly vows of old.
This commitment is most manifest in the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of its social calendar. The proceeds from this event are dedicated entirely to Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation focused on providing therapeutic support and care for young people affected by trauma. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House's belief that protecting the most vulnerable is a fundamental modern duty.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> The legacy of the Garter is a powerful reminder that titles carry with them a duty of service. For our family, tracing our lineage to a Founder Knight like Henry of Grosmont is not a matter of pure pride, but a constant call to live by our own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The spirit of chivalry, that combination of martial prowess and noble conduct, is a *sine qua non* for true leadership. Today, that same spirit informs our work, whether in preserving history or in fostering new standards of excellence through initiatives like The Brattleby Club.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its dedication to the principles of honour, duty, and service that the Order of the Garter has championed for centuries. These values are not merely historical artefacts but living principles that guide the House's modern activities and its vision for the future.
This legacy will be passed to the next generation, principally to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* continues unbroken. Through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which seeks to instil standards of etiquette and social responsibility, the House actively cultivates these values in a new generation of leaders, ensuring that the spirit of chivalry continues to evolve and thrive.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The House is committed to a modern mission founded on the preservation of its profound historical legacy while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal activities include the stewardship of the Brattleby heritage in Lincolnshire, the organisation of the Annual Winter Banquet for charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child, and the direction of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. Under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the timeless values of duty, service, and integrity in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The title’s standing was formally noted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, instituted in 1348. - The succession and rights of the current title holder were formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com