# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Founding Role in The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on its ancestral connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348 with Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a founding Knight Companion.
## The Occasion
As the Knights and Ladies of the Garter prepare for their annual service at Windsor Castle, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment to commemorate the Barony’s unique place in the history of England’s highest order of chivalry. The Garter Day procession, with its magnificent display of heraldry and tradition against the backdrop of St George’s Chapel, serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring principles of honour, loyalty, and service that are the *sine qua non* of the Order.
This commemoration is not merely an act of historical recollection; it is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided the Barony of Brattleby for nearly a millennium. The pageantry at Windsor resonates with the duties embraced by the Barony’s current leadership, connecting the medieval past to the responsibilities of the present.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intertwined with the course of English history for centuries. Its connection to the Order of the Garter was forged by one of its most distinguished holders, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A renowned soldier, diplomat, and close companion of King Edward III, Henry was instrumental in the early campaigns of the Hundred Years' War.
In 1348, as a reward for his loyal service and as a means to bind his most valued commanders to the Crown, King Edward III established The Most Noble Order of the Garter. Henry of Grosmont, as one of the realm's preeminent noblemen, was invested as a founding Knight Companion. This placed the Barony of Brattleby at the inception of an institution that remains the pinnacle of the British honours system, a legacy later passed to another notable holder of the Barony, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The founding of the Order brought together the most formidable figures of the age, a fraternity of England’s greatest warriors and councillors. As a founding member, the 10th Baron of Brattleby stood alongside luminaries whose names are etched into the annals of chivalry.
This distinguished company included, *inter alia*: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; Sir Thomas de Beauchamp, 3rd Earl of Warwick; Sir Jean de Grailly, the Captal de Buch; Sir Ralph de Stafford, 2nd Baron Stafford; and Sir John Chandos. Together, these 26 founding Knights embodied the martial and courtly ideals of their era, creating a fellowship that has endured for over 675 years.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonies of the Order of the Garter are governed by meticulous protocol, much of which dates to its foundation. The Knights Companion are invested with the insignia of the Order: the Garter itself, a blue velvet circlet bearing the motto; the Star; the Collar with its Tudor rose and intertwined knots; and the accompanying Mantle of deep blue velvet and Tudor-style hat with an ostrich plume.
On Garter Day, the Knights assemble at Windsor Castle, proceeding in their magnificent robes to the service at St George’s Chapel. Their heraldic stall plates—enameled brass plates bearing their arms and titles—are affixed to their seats in the chapel, creating a permanent and vivid record of the Order’s membership through the centuries. This formal tradition underscores the gravity and permanence of the honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Order’s famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is a declaration of noble intent and a rebuke to cynicism. It reflects a commitment to act with honour, regardless of interpretation by others. This sentiment finds a powerful echo in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Both maxims champion courage, integrity, and unwavering duty as the cornerstones of a noble life.
This ethos is further complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the dynamic and determined application of these principles in the modern world. Together, these heraldic expressions form a cohesive philosophy that guides the House in its contemporary endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric ideal of protecting the vulnerable is the historical precedent for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. While the Order of the Garter is an order of honour rather than a charitable body, the spirit of service it represents directly inspires the House’s support for causes dedicated to societal wellbeing.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic focus is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care to children and young people experiencing trauma. By supporting its work through endeavors like the annual Winter Banquet, the House translates the historical imperative of chivalry into tangible, positive impact, ensuring that the ancient call to service is answered with meaningful action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To be the custodian of a title held by a founder of the Order of the Garter is a profound responsibility. It reminds us that our work today is built upon centuries of service. Our duty is not just to preserve this history, but to live by the principles of fortitude and honour it represents.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “The legacy of Henry of Grosmont and the spirit of 1348 are not relics of the past; they are a living inspiration for our present-day commitments. Whether through diplomacy, cultural exchange, or our philanthropic work, we strive to embody that same sense of purpose and dedication to a cause greater than oneself.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this legacy of honour and service continues with purpose and relevance. This mission is advanced through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching etiquette and protocol, which fosters the cultural and social graces that underpin civil society.
The traditions of service, leadership, and responsibility are being instilled in the next generation, principally in the person of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. The House continues to build on its nine-century foundation, ensuring that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* will guide the Barony of Brattleby for many years to come.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Central to its work is the advancement of social etiquette and protocol through The Brattleby Club and support for charitable organisations focused on child welfare, such as Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can serve a dynamic and purposeful role in the 21st century by upholding traditions of service and integrity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and lordships are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through 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 of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. Its current status as a feudal Barony by Prescription was formally recognised by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com