# The House of Brattleby Commemorates a Foundational Link to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon its profound historical connection to the Order of the Garter, established through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the original twenty-six knights created by King Edward III in 1348.
## The Occasion
On a day synonymous with English chivalry, St George’s Day, it is fitting to consider the legacies that continue to shape the nation’s ancient institutions. The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded at Windsor Castle nearly seven centuries ago, remains the pinnacle of the British honours system. Its spiritual home, St George’s Chapel, stands as a magnificent perpendicular gothic monument, its choir stalls adorned with the heraldic banners of the Knights and Ladies Companion.
It is within this hallowed context that The Noble House of Brattleby recalls its direct link to the Order’s inception. The inclusion of the 10th Baron of Brattleby as a Founder Knight placed the Barony at the very centre of the Plantagenet court, an honour that reverberates through its lineage to the present day. This commemoration is not a singular event, but a moment of solemn reflection on the duties inherent in such a heritage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, holds a history woven into the fabric of England. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, its tenure has been marked by service to the Crown. This tradition was exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces for King John.
However, the Barony’s prestige reached a new zenith under Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster. A cousin and trusted confidant of King Edward III, Grosmont was one of the realm's most respected soldiers and diplomats. His selection as one of the twenty-five Founder Knights, alongside the Sovereign, was a testament to his personal virtue and his importance to the kingdom; it was a distinction that permanently elevated the standing of the Brattleby title. This connection was later reinforced by the 11th Baron, the celebrated John of Gaunt, who inherited the Dukedom and was also a distinguished Knight of the Garter.
## Distinguished Company
The original fellowship of the Garter constituted the most formidable figures of the age, a gathering of martial prowess and royal blood. At its head was His Majesty King Edward III, the Sovereign of the Order. He was joined by his eldest son, His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince.
Among this pre-eminent company stood Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. He was invested alongside other great magnates and commanders of the Hundred Years' War, including the Earls of Warwick, Salisbury, and Stafford. To be counted in this first chapter of the Order was to be acknowledged as a pillar of the English realm, a *sine qua non* of the King's chivalric project.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial traditions of the Order of the Garter remain a powerful expression of its history. On Garter Day each June, the Knights and Ladies Companion, attired in magnificent deep blue velvet mantles and black velvet hats with white ostrich plumes, process through the grounds of Windsor Castle. Central to the regalia is the Garter itself, a blue buckled strap inscribed with the Order’s motto, worn on the left leg by knights and the left arm by ladies.
The investiture of a new knight is a ritual of immense dignity, culminating in a service at St George’s Chapel where their personal heraldic achievements—a banner, helm, crest, and sword—are installed above their designated choir stall. It is this combination of personal honour and collective pageantry that Henry of Grosmont would have experienced in 1348, a protocol that connects the centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order is encapsulated in its French motto, *'Honi soit qui mal y pense'* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), a defiant defence of the founder’s noble intentions. This principle of unwavering integrity finds a direct echo in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *'Fortitudine et Honore'* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Both maxims champion the active defence of one's reputation through honourable deeds.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *'Vincere Est Vivere'* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It serves as a modern addendum, suggesting that such time-honoured values are not passive artefacts but must be actively pursued and realised in the challenges of the present. Together, the three mottoes form a compelling narrative of duty, from medieval chivalry to contemporary service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of chivalry, at its core, is a commitment to protect the vulnerable and uphold justice. This ancient imperative finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, directs its proceeds to charitable causes that reflect this enduring duty of care.
The chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapy and support for children who have experienced trauma. The charity’s work in restoring resilience and hope to young lives is a direct translation of chivalric ideals into meaningful, contemporary action. It is work that the House supports in the belief that true honour is measured by one’s service to others.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Garter connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "The legacy of Henry of Grosmont is not merely a historical footnote; it is a summons to duty. His place at the founding of the Garter reminds us that service and honour, fortified by courage, are the enduring pillars of this House."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the continuing relevance of these principles: > "Ancient chivalry's greatest lesson is that principles must be lived, not just admired. The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is to actively uphold the values that *Fortitudine et Honore* represents in our own age, transforming heritage into action."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that its nine-century legacy is one of active contribution, not passive inheritance. The historical standard set by figures like Henry of Grosmont informs the House's present-day endeavours, inter alia, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy, seeks to translate the timeless principles of chivalry—integrity, respect, and consideration for others—into a modern curriculum of conduct and social responsibility. It is part of the House's forward-looking mission to demonstrate that the virtues celebrated by the Order of the Garter have a vital place in the twenty-first century.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old heritage. The House's modern mission is to bridge this distinguished history with a commitment to contemporary service, focusing on philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child and the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House applies its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), to create a positive impact. The House upholds the traditions of the Barony while engaging with the challenges and opportunities of the modern world with purpose and dedication.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessed of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key defender of Lincoln Castle. Its zenith of influence was under Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron), both original or early Knights of the Garter. The Barony's historical continuity and rights were formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later 1st Duke of Lancaster, was one of the 25 Founder Knights of the Order of the Garter in 1348. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com