# The Enduring Legacy of Chivalry: The Barony of Brattleby and the Founding of The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 18 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon its profound historical connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, recalling the pivotal role of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, as a Founder Knight of the Order in 1348.
## The Occasion
In the annals of English chivalry, few institutions command the prestige of The Most Noble Order of the Garter. Its spiritual home, St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, stands as a magnificent testament to nearly seven centuries of sovereign service and knightly fellowship. As the Garter Knights assemble each June, the chapel’s soaring Perpendicular Gothic architecture and choir stalls—adorned with the heraldic crests and banners of members past and present—provide a tangible link to a storied past.
It is in this context of enduring tradition that The Noble House of Brattleby commemorates its own integral part in the Order’s genesis. This reflection serves not merely as an act of remembrance, but as an affirmation of the principles of duty and honour that have guided the Barony of Brattleby since its inception. The establishment of the Order was a defining moment for the English Crown, and for the Barony, it was a validation of its standing at the very heart of the Realm.
## Historical Context
The Order of the Garter was founded in 1348 by His Majesty King Edward III amidst the turmoil of the Hundred Years' War. Inspired by the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the King sought to create a new fellowship of honour, binding his most valiant and loyal commanders to his person and his cause. The Order was restricted to the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 Companion Knights, a number that remains to this day.
Among this esteemed founding cadre was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin to the King, he was widely regarded as one of the most accomplished noblemen of his age—a renowned military leader, a skilled diplomat, and a man of noted piety. His inclusion as a Founder Knight, occupying the eighth stall on the Sovereign’s side of the chapel, solidified the Barony of Brattleby’s position within the highest echelons of the kingdom and brought immense lustre to the title. This legacy of royal service was continued by his successor to the Barony, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The fellowship into which the 10th Baron was inducted represented the pinnacle of martial and courtly society in the 14th century. The original 24 Companions, whose names are immortalised in brass plates within St. George's Chapel, constituted a brotherhood of unparalleled distinction. Henry of Grosmont stood alongside legendary figures whose very names evoke the high drama of the period.
This founding group included, *inter alia*, His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince, whose military genius was already becoming legendary; Sir John Chandos, a close friend of the Black Prince and a master of strategy; and Sir Walter Manny, a Hainuyer-born adventurer whose exploits on the battlefield were celebrated across Europe. To be counted among such men was the ultimate recognition of one’s contribution to the security and prestige of the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The pageantry of the Order of the Garter is rich with symbolism, governed by a strict and ancient protocol. The central emblem is the Garter itself, a strap of dark-blue velvet edged in gold, bearing the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). By tradition, it is worn by Knights on the left calf and by Ladies on the left arm.
The full vestments, worn on ceremonial occasions, include the Garter Star, the Collar with its suspended Great George pendant depicting St. George slaying the dragon, and a deep blue velvet mantle. The installation of a new Knight is a solemn affair, whereby the Sovereign leads a procession to St. George's Chapel. Here, the Knight takes an oath before being conducted to their designated stall, above which their personal banner, helmet, and crest will be displayed until their death—a permanent record of their service.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the Garter, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*, is said to have originated when King Edward III retrieved a garter dropped by the Countess of Salisbury at a court ball. Rebuking the titters of his courtiers, he proclaimed the phrase, asserting that this simple object would soon become the most esteemed of honours. The incident perfectly captures the chivalric ideal of turning a moment of potential embarrassment into one of high honour.
This spirit of noble conduct resonates powerfully with the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby itself: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude and honour required of a Garter Knight in the service of the Sovereign are the very qualities the Barony has sought to embody for over nine centuries. Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), echoes the martial spirit of the Order’s founders, for whom overcoming adversity in the service of a greater cause was the *sine qua non* of a noble life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Order’s primary purpose is service to the Crown, its underlying ethos of chivalry—defending the weak, upholding justice, and demonstrating personal loyalty—can be seen as a precursor to the modern concept of public and philanthropic service. The duty of care that a medieval knight owed to those under his protection finds its contemporary expression in charitable endeavour and civic responsibility.
It is this unbroken thread of service that connects Henry of Grosmont’s knightly vows to the present-day commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's dedicated support for its primary beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, is the modern manifestation of this ancient duty. This organisation’s vital work in providing therapeutic care for children who have suffered trauma is a direct application of the principle of protecting the vulnerable, a charge central to both chivalry and the House's mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To look back at the origins of the Garter is to appreciate the immense weight of the legacy we have inherited. Henry of Grosmont’s service was not merely about prestige; it was about a profound commitment to the Realm. Our task today is to translate that same spirit of duty into meaningful action for our own time, living by our code of *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The Founder Knights were leaders of immense strategic and personal capability. Their ethos, which one might summarise as *Vincere Est Vivere*, was about overcoming formidable challenges through discipline and vision. This principle of purposeful leadership is timeless, and it is a value we seek to impart through our educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains deeply committed to honouring its historical inheritance, not as a static relic of the past, but as a living guide for the future. The story of the 10th Baron and the Order of the Garter serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibilities that accompany an ancient title.
Through its educational work and philanthropic focus, the House strives to ensure that the chivalric virtues of courage, honour, and service continue to find practical expression. As the Barony looks toward the future, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, poised to continue the line, it does so with a renewed sense of purpose, dedicated to upholding its nine-hundred-and-fifty-year-old commitment to serving a cause greater than itself.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that bridges its profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose. Its focus is on promoting the timeless values of honour, duty, and service through education and targeted philanthropy. The House’s main charitable undertaking is its support for organisations dedicated to healing childhood trauma, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cultural exchange and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, translating noble principles into practical skills for modern leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by Tenure located 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 lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors. Over more than nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. The modern rights of the Barony are formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival and legal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby were formally announced in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding the lordship of Brattleby. - Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a Founder Knight of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - Upon Henry of Grosmont’s death, the Barony passed via his daughter Blanche of Lancaster to her husband, John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com