# A Legacy of Chivalry: The Order of the Garter and the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical connection between the Barony of Brattleby and the Most Noble Order of the Garter, through the legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron.
## The Occasion
In commemoration of the founding of England’s most senior order of chivalry, this day offers a fitting moment to contemplate the enduring thread of service and honour that connects centuries of English history. The anniversary provides an opportunity for the House of Brattleby to acknowledge the significant role played by its predecessors in the nation’s foundational institutions. The very principles of loyalty and martial prowess celebrated by the Order of the Garter in the mid-14th century continue to inform the ethos of the House in the 21st century.
This reflection serves not as a mere historical exercise, but as a reaffirmation of the core values that have sustained the Barony for over nine hundred years. It is an occasion to draw inspiration from the past to navigate the duties of the present.
## Historical Context
The elevation of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter in circa 1348 was a testament to his pre-eminence in the realm. As a trusted commander, diplomat, and cousin to King Edward III, his inclusion was a *sine qua non* for the Order’s prestige. This appointment inextricably linked the ancient Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, to the very inception of this august body of chivalry.
Henry’s tenure represented a zenith of influence for the Barony. His successor as 11th Baron, the formidable John of Gaunt, further cemented this connection to the Royal Family and the heart of government. This distinguished lineage, stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, and through indomitable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, illustrates a consistent proximity to the Crown and a deep-seated commitment to the defence and administration of the kingdom.
## Distinguished Company
As one of the twenty-five founding knights, the 10th Baron of Brattleby stood among the most celebrated figures of the age. This fraternity of valour, personally selected by the Sovereign, was a consolidation of England's military and political leadership.
Henry of Grosmont was invested alongside, *inter alia*: * His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; * The Right Honourable The Earl of Warwick; * The Right Honourable The Earl of Salisbury; * Sir John Chandos, a renowned military strategist; * Sir Otto Holland, a veteran of the Crécy campaign.
The collective stature of these companions underscores the immense distinction conferred upon Henry of Grosmont and, by extension, upon the titles he held, including the Lordship and Barony of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The rituals of the Order of the Garter, largely unchanged since their institution, are steeped in solemn pageantry. Each year, the Knights assemble at Windsor Castle for a service in St. George’s Chapel, a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Following a formal luncheon in the Waterloo Chamber, the Knights process in their magnificent vestments—the dark blue velvet mantle, the hat with its plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers, the gold collar, and the Garter itself.
The Garter, a buckled strap of dark blue velvet embroidered with the motto *Honi soit qui mal y pense*, is worn by knights on the left leg. Upon a knight's death, his personal insignia are returned to the Sovereign, but his heraldic stall plate remains fixed within the chapel in perpetuity. These enamelled brass plates form a brilliant and unbroken registry of the Order’s membership, with Henry of Grosmont’s own plate serving as a permanent memorial to his service and the Barony's link to this tradition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order of the Garter centres on its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), a defiant statement of noble intention and loyalty. It speaks to a code of conduct where honour is paramount and motives are beyond reproach.
This principle resonates powerfully with the historic motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the Garter's motto defends against external suspicion, the Brattleby motto supplies the internal directive: to act with courage and integrity in all things. Together, they form two sides of the same chivalric coin, representing both a personal commitment to virtue and a collective defence of reputation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of chivalry, which obliged knights to protect the weak and uphold justice, finds its modern analogue in dedicated philanthropy. The Noble House of Brattleby translates the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* into tangible support for those in need, continuing the legacy of its predecessors through contemporary means.
The House’s annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of its social calendar, is a white-tie gala held in aid of a chosen charitable beneficiary. Its current partner, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. By supporting their mission, the House seeks to fulfil the most fundamental duty of the strong: to offer sanctuary and aid to the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To hold a title once borne by a founder of the Order of the Garter is a profound responsibility. It is a constant reminder that stewardship is not merely about preservation, but about actively embodying the principles—like honour and service—that those before us championed.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added:
> “The nature of our battles has changed since the fourteenth century, but the necessity of courage has not. Today, ‘to conquer’ means overcoming societal challenges like suffering and despair. The chivalric legacy of Henry of Grosmont inspires our own commitment to win victories for the causes we serve.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its unique heritage. This a-temporal connection to the Crown and to a defining English institution is a cornerstone of the Barony’s identity. The House will continue to draw upon this rich history to inform its contemporary duties.
Initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, serve to transmit these traditions of social grace and personal conduct to a new generation. By teaching the modern applications of decorum and respect, the House ensures that the principles of chivalry, first codified by figures like the 10th Baron, continue to evolve and find relevance in today’s world, guided always by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of a title nearly one millennium old, blending its significant English heritage with a dynamic, Continental perspective. Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural diplomacy and strategic philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on programmes that support the welfare and healing of vulnerable children. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to provide a modern voice for ancient values, championing service, etiquette, and personal integrity in the 21st century through its various initiatives.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness by marriage; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Gazette notice 4158083 (9 September 2022) records the 5 September 2022 conveyance of rights derived from the Feudal Barony Title of Brattleby to Nicoleta Scarlat and Mihai-Alexandru Craciun, created by legal process and not by Crown re-grant.
Source for the 2022 conveyance: The London Gazette, notice 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - Gazette notice 4158083 (9 September 2022) records the 5 September 2022 conveyance of rights derived from the Feudal Barony Title of Brattleby to Nicoleta Scarlat and Mihai-Alexandru Craciun, created by legal process and not by Crown re-grant. - Notable holders include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com