# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Historic Connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter
**LONDON, 23 April 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement honouring its profound and historic connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, through the celebrated person of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and a founding Knight.
## The Occasion
Issued from the Barony's ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, this statement of historical observance is made on the Feast of St George, the patron saint of both England and The Order of the Garter. This moment of seasonal and national significance provides a fitting backdrop for reflecting upon the enduring principles of chivalry, honour, and service to the Crown that link the medieval foundations of the Barony to its present-day responsibilities.
The announcement serves not as a celebration of past glories alone, but as a reaffirmation of the duties inherent in the title. It is an act of historical stewardship, intended to illuminate for a modern audience the continuity of purpose that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for nearly one thousand years.
## Historical Context
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was founded by King Edward III in 1348, inspired by the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. With its motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’), the Order represents the pinnacle of chivalric honour in England. Among the twenty-five founding Knights chosen by the Sovereign was Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, then one of the realm's most respected soldiers and diplomats.
His investiture solidified the Barony’s place at the heart of English nobility during the formative period of the Hundred Years' War. As the first Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont's renown brought immense lustre to the Brattleby name. This legacy was subsequently passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby, weaving the title ever deeper into the fabric of the Royal Family and the history of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The fellowship into which the 10th Baron was admitted constituted the most senior and trusted companions of the King. This founding chapter included such luminaries as His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; the valiant Sir John Chandos, a celebrated commander in France; and Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, a key figure in the English victories at Crécy and Poitiers.
To be counted among this chapter was the ultimate recognition of martial prowess, unwavering loyalty, and personal integrity. The inclusion of the Baron of Brattleby affirmed the title's standing as *primus inter pares*—first among equals—and set a standard of excellence that has echoed through the centuries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial life of The Order of the Garter remains a cornerstone of British pageantry. Each June, the Knights assemble at Windsor Castle for the Garter Day service in St George’s Chapel, a magnificent example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. During the procession, members wear the Order’s distinctive vestments, including a dark-blue velvet mantle embroidered with the shield of St George and the Garter itself, traditionally worn by Knights below the left knee.
Upon a Knight's installation, his heraldic banner is raised above his allotted stall in the chapel, where it remains for the duration of his life. This visual panoply of arms serves as a permanent record of service, a tradition that began with Henry of Grosmont and his fellow founders in the 14th century.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values espoused by the Order find their modern parallel in the guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin virtues of resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity. This creed is the spiritual successor to the chivalric code that animated the 10th Baron.
This core principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). It speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the House’s duties: one that seeks not only to preserve legacy but to actively build upon it through meaningful endeavour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*, or the duty of the fortunate to assist others, is the direct antecedent of modern philanthropy. The Noble House of Brattleby interprets this historic responsibility through its dedicated charitable work. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, stands as the centrepiece of these efforts.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By focusing its support, the House aims to provide measurable and lasting impact, translating the ancient principle of knightly protection into tangible, real-world aid for the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "Henry of Grosmont's legacy is not merely a footnote in our history; it is a foundational pillar. One is reminded that the honours of the past confer responsibilities in the present. It is our duty to embody the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* with the same conviction he showed on the battlefield and in the King's council."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "The spirit of chivalry demands action, not just reflection. To us, honouring this connection means actively pursuing excellence and service in our own time. It is about applying these time-honoured values to contemporary challenges, a principle I see captured in the words *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to upholding and promoting the principles of honour, duty, and service that The Order of the Garter represents. This commitment is central to the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby, who is being raised with a profound understanding of his future stewardship.
Furthermore, these values are actively disseminated through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. This etiquette and protocol academy, with its seat in Bucharest, serves to bridge the House's English heritage and Continental perspective, promoting the timeless virtues of decorum, respect, and civic responsibility for a new generation of leaders. The legacy of the 10th Baron, therefore, continues to inform the House's path forward.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a near-millennial legacy through contemporary action. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House blends its profound English heritage with a forward-looking, Continental perspective. Its mission is centred on philanthropic endeavour, particularly in the field of child welfare, and the promotion of cultural and historical education. Through initiatives like the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House actively works to translate the traditional values of fortitude and honour into meaningful contributions to modern society, ensuring its ancient title remains a force for positive influence.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of fifty-six lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle against the French; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a founding Knight of the Garter and first Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The current status of the Barony is formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal notice of recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a founding Knight of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The chosen beneficiary for the House’s philanthropic activities is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com