# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Garter Investiture of the 10th Baron
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the 1348 investiture of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a founding Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, reinforcing the Barony’s nine-century commitment to chivalry.
## The Occasion
The commemoration recalls a pivotal moment in English history, staged within the hallowed precincts of Windsor Castle. The founding of the Order of the Garter by King Edward III represented a conscious effort to revive the chivalric ideals of King Arthur’s fellowship, binding the kingdom’s most formidable military and political leaders to the Crown through a shared code of honour. The investiture ceremonies took place in the newly designated St George’s Chapel, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, its soaring nave and intricate fan vaulting providing a suitably magnificent spiritual home for England's pre-eminent chivalric body.
On St George’s Day in 1348, against a backdrop of recent English victories in France, the atmosphere at Windsor was one of martial confidence and sacred solemnity. For Henry of Grosmont and his twenty-four fellow foundation knights, inclusion in this fraternity was the ultimate recognition of their prowess and loyalty. It was an honour that linked the ancient feudal lordships they held, including the Barony of Brattleby, directly to the King’s ambitious vision for a new Arthurian golden age.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, possessed a distinguished history of service to the Crown long before the Garter’s establishment. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was entrusted with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This legacy of loyal duty was powerfully embodied by the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, a formidable stateswoman who famously defended Lincoln Castle in the service of the King.
Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster, elevated this tradition to new heights. As a cousin to the King and one of the most respected commanders of his generation, his selection as a founder Knight was a matter of national significance. His inclusion ensured that the Barony of Brattleby was represented at the very inception of what remains the pinnacle of the British honours system. This tradition of Garter membership continued through his successor and son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, further entwining the Barony's history with that of the Royal Family.
## Distinguished Company
As a founder Knight, the 10th Baron found himself in the most distinguished company in the realm, a fellowship whose names resonate through the annals of English history. The Order’s Sovereign was, and remains, the reigning monarch, at that time His Majesty King Edward III.
At the Sovereign’s side was the first appointee to the Order, His Majesty Edward, Prince of Wales, known to posterity as the Black Prince. Among the other legendary soldiers and magnates who knelt to receive the Garter alongside Henry of Grosmont were Jean de Grailly, the Captal de Buch; Sir John Chandos; and Ralph, Earl of Stafford. This assembly of personages represented the martial and strategic heart of the English kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture into the Order of the Garter is a ceremony rich in symbolism and ancient protocol. At its heart is the bestowing of the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap, buckled and embroidered in gold with the Order’s motto. Tradition dictates the Sovereign buckles the Garter onto the left leg of the new Knight Companion, a ritual dating back to the Order’s foundation.
Full Garter regalia, worn on ceremonial occasions, includes the mantle of deep 'Garter blue' velvet, the crimson velvet hood, and the distinctive black velvet Tudor bonnet adorned with white ostrich and black heron plumes. The Great George, a gold and enamel figure of St George slaying the dragon, is suspended from the Garter collar. A *sine qua non* of membership is the assignment of a stall in St George’s Chapel, above which the Knight’s personal heraldic achievements—his banner, sword, helm, and crest—are displayed for their lifetime.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The primary symbol of the Order is the Garter itself, which appears as a heraldic device encircling the coat of arms of each Knight and Lady Companion. Its iconic motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is believed to have originated from a courtly incident but has come to represent a defiant rejection of ill-intent and a commitment to noble purpose.
This commitment aligns perfectly with the enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required of a fourteenth-century knight on the battlefield finds its modern parallel in the resilience required for public service, while the honour that governed chivalric conduct remains the guiding principle of the House. Furthermore, the motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), echoes the martial spirit that was a prerequisite for Garter membership.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The original purpose of chivalric orders like the Garter was, in essence, philanthropic: to channel the power of the nobility towards the protection of the realm, the upholding of justice, and the defence of the Church. The Knights were bound by oath to serve the community through their martial capabilities and leadership.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby continues this foundational spirit of service, albeit through different means. The historical obligation to defend the vulnerable is now expressed through a dedicated focus on charitable giving. This commitment is most visibly demonstrated at the House's Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that benefits organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides support and therapy for young people experiencing trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historic anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > “Henry of Grosmont’s place as a founder Knight is a profound reminder of the responsibilities that have been attached to this Barony for centuries. It instils a sense of continuity and an obligation to live up to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*—not merely as a motto, but as a commitment to purposeful action in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the enduring relevance of the chivalric code: > “The discipline and loyalty of the Garter Knights embodied the maxim *Vincere Est Vivere*. They understood that true victory comes from mastering oneself in the service of a higher cause. This is a principle we seek to impart through our work, *inter alia*, at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where etiquette and protocol are taught as tools for self-development and societal contribution.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles of loyalty, honour, and service that earned the 10th Baron his place in England’s most senior order of chivalry continue to guide The Noble House of Brattleby. This heritage is not a static relic of the past but a living tradition that informs the House’s present-day duties and future commitments.
The House will continue to support its philanthropic partners and expand its cultural initiatives, ensuring the legacy of service established by predecessors like Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt is interpreted meaningfully for the twenty-first century. By honouring its past, the House reaffirms its pledge to serve with fortitude and honour for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern interpretation of aristocratic duty. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses on impactful philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its principal charitable endeavours are channelled through the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports organisations dedicated to child welfare, notably Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes cultural diplomacy and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its mission is to ensure that a nine-century legacy of leadership continues to serve the common good in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in the county. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and patriarch of a royal dynasty. The rights and lineage of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by The Crown, as published in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern rights were formally recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, later 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster). - The Domesday Book of 1086 documents the Barony's original lands in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com