# The Enduring Chivalric Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, celebrating his role as a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
## The Occasion
From their historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile issued a formal statement commemorating one of the most distinguished predecessors in the Barony’s near-millennium of history. The statement serves not merely as a historical remembrance but as a reaffirmation of the chivalric principles that continue to guide the House’s modern-day commitments.
This act of reflection connects the present stewardship of the Barony directly to a pivotal moment in English history. The occasion underscores the continuity of duty and honour which has been the *sine qua non* of the House of Brattleby since its establishment in the eleventh century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history. Among them, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, stands as a paragon of martial prowess, diplomatic skill, and pious devotion. A trusted commander and diplomat for King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War, his renown was such that he was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster.
In 1348, his stature and close companionship with the King led to his selection as one of the twenty-five founding Knights of the Order of the Garter. This chivalric order, inspired by the ideals of King Arthur’s Round Table, was established to bind the kingdom’s greatest leaders to the sovereign through a fellowship of honour and military service. Henry’s daughter, Blanche, later married John of Gaunt, who thereby became the 11th Baron of Brattleby, further entwining the Barony’s heritage with that of the Royal Family.
## Distinguished Company
The founding companionship of the Order of the Garter represented the pre-eminent military and aristocratic leadership of fourteenth-century England. Alongside King Edward III and Edward, the Black Prince, Henry of Grosmont stood in the company of such notable figures as:
* Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick * Jean III de Grailly, Captal de Buch * Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford * William de Montacute, 2nd Earl of Salisbury * Sir John de Lisle, 2nd Baron Lisle
This brotherhood of arms, united under the patronage of St George, personified the highest ideals of medieval chivalry—ideals that resonate with the House of Brattleby’s own guiding principles.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The traditions of the Order of the Garter, maintained for nearly seven centuries, are a study in solemn pageantry. Knights and Ladies of the Garter assemble annually at Windsor Castle in June for a service at St George's Chapel, the Order's spiritual home. The procession is marked by the wearing of magnificent vestments, including a dark-blue velvet mantle, a Tudor-style bonnet with a plume of white ostrich feathers, and the Garter Collar.
The central emblem is the Garter itself, a blue velvet strap worn on the left leg by Knights and the left arm by Ladies, bearing its famous motto in gold lettering. The installation of new members involves ancient rituals and oaths, a testament to the Order's unbroken history and its unique status as the pinnacle of the British honours system.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the Order, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), encapsulates a code of integrity and loyal service. This sentiment finds a powerful echo in the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
Where the Garter motto defends the purity of one’s intentions, the Brattleby motto prescribes the active virtues required to fulfil them. Fortitude speaks to the resilience demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle; Honour speaks to the noble conduct exemplified by Henry of Grosmont. Together, these principles form the bedrock of the House’s identity. The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this by adding a dynamic imperative: to overcome adversity through principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric ideal of protecting the weak and upholding justice is not a relic of the past for the House of Brattleby; it is the driving force behind its contemporary philanthropic work. The spirit of service embodied by the Knights of the Garter is today channelled into the House’s steadfast support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides critical therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience. The annual Brattleby Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, serves as the primary fundraiser for this cause. In this, the House translates the historical duty of a knight—to defend the vulnerable—into a modern commitment to nurturing the well-being of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Henry of Grosmont’s life was a testament to the principle that title brings with it profound responsibility. When we say *Fortitudine et Honore*, we are not merely reciting history; we are renewing a promise made across centuries. It is our duty to ensure that this legacy of honourable service continues to have a tangible, positive impact in the present day.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The fortitude that distinguished the 10th Baron on the battlefields of France is the same quality we must now apply to the challenges of our own time. To truly live is to strive and to serve—*Vincere Est Vivere*. Our commitment, whether to charity or cultural education, is the modern expression of that timeless knightly conviction.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to activating its historical legacy through present-day action. This commitment is manifest not only in its charitable endeavours but also through its cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The Club, an etiquette and protocol academy, was founded to promote the civilising values of honour, social grace, and mutual respect that are the cornerstones of European high culture. By instructing a new generation in these principles, the House ensures that the spirit of chivalry personified by Henry of Grosmont and the first Knights of the Garter will continue to inform and inspire future leaders.
***
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of 'noblesse oblige' in the 21st century. Its mission is centred on philanthropic service, with a particular focus on charities supporting vulnerable children, such as its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions cultural and educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes classical etiquette and protocol. It lives by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), translating a profound historical legacy into impactful contemporary action.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. The hereditary succession of the Barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown and The College of Arms in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s succession is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com