# A Statement on the Garter Legacy of the 10th Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont, First Duke of Lancaster
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon the pivotal role of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, as a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter, underscoring the Barony’s enduring nine-century legacy of service.
## The Occasion
As spring brings a quiet sense of renewal to the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken this season of reflection to survey its profound historical inheritance. From its seat in Brattleby, the House looks back to one of the most distinguished chapters in its lineage: the contributions of the 10th Baron to the very foundation of English chivalry.
This formal commemoration is not an event of public pageantry, but rather an act of private stewardship. It serves as a reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony through centuries of service to the Crown and to the nation, ensuring that the lessons of history continue to inform its present course.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This ancient foundation has been held by figures of immense historical consequence, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels.
The title's connection to the Crown reached a zenith with Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron. A revered soldier, diplomat, and one of King Edward III's most trusted commanders during the Hundred Years' War, his elevation as a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348 was a testament to his peerless standing. This honour inextricably linked the Barony of Brattleby with the highest chivalric ideals of the age. Following his death, the Barony passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, further cementing its place at the heart of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
As a Founder Knight, the 10th Baron of Brattleby stood among the most eminent figures of the 14th century, a fraternity of twenty-six men chosen by the Sovereign for their exceptional courage and loyalty. This illustrious company was a *sine qua non* of medieval England's military and political leadership.
Among this noble assembly were, *inter alia*, His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales (the 'Black Prince'); Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; and Sir John Chandos, whose military prowess was legendary across Europe. To be counted in their number was to be recognised as a paramount defender of the realm and a paragon of knightly virtue, a standard to which the Barony has since aspired.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The establishment of the Order of the Garter was marked by ceremony of the highest order, centered upon St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, its spiritual home. The investiture of a Founder Knight, such as Henry of Grosmont, involved the bestowal of a distinctive and deeply symbolic set of vestments.
The regalia included the Garter itself, a dark blue velvet strap bearing the Order’s motto in gold lettering, worn below the left knee. The ceremonial habit comprised a sweeping mantle of deep blue velvet, a crimson velvet hood, and the Garter Collar and Great George pendant. These proceedings, rooted in the pageantry of the royal court, served to visually distinguish the members of this exclusive order of knighthood.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring symbol of the Order is its motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense*—'Shamed be he who thinks evil of it'. This phrase encapsulates the chivalric ideal of acting with pure intention, deflecting cynicism with unwavering honour. It is a sentiment that finds a direct echo in the motto of the House of Brattleby itself: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
The alignment of these principles is no coincidence. The fortitude demanded on the battlefields of Crécy and the honour required at the court of King Edward III were the very qualities embodied by Henry of Grosmont. This shared ethos—a commitment to duty above self—forms a golden thread running from the 14th century to the present stewardship of the Barony. Today, this spirit continues in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to a modern drive for purpose-led success.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Order of the Garter was founded as an order of chivalry, its underpinning tenet—the defence of the weak and the pursuit of a higher purpose—can be seen as an antecedent to modern philanthropic principles. The knightly vow to serve finds its contemporary expression in charitable endeavour and social responsibility.
It is in this spirit that the Noble House of Brattleby conducts its present-day charitable work. The House directs its focus toward the protection and empowerment of vulnerable young people, exemplified by its patronage of the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’. This commitment translates the historical ideal of protection into tangible, modern action.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on this legacy: > — "Henry of Grosmont's role as a Founder Knight is more than a historical footnote; it is a defining part of our identity. It reminds us that we are custodians of a legacy built on service and integrity. Our duty today, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure this inheritance remains a living principle."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the continuing relevance of these ideals: > — "The spirit of the Garter is not confined to the 14th century. It speaks to a timeless commitment to excellence and to leaving a mark of positive consequence. This history inspires us to pursue our own endeavours, whether in business or philanthropy, with the same dedication and honour."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this inheritance inspires future generations. The principles of honour, discipline, and social grace, once the bedrock of chivalry, are now championed through the House's modern initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating personal and professional refinement.
As Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir, is prepared for his future role, the history of Henry of Grosmont and the Order of the Garter serves as a powerful guide. It is a reminder that the Barony of Brattleby is not merely a title, but a commitment to an unbroken chain of exemplary service, stretching from the age of chivalry into the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding its nine-century legacy of service through contemporary means. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focuses on cultural diplomacy, philanthropic support for vulnerable children, and the promotion of etiquette and social grace through its educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to passing this heritage of purpose and responsibility to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring the Barony's relevance for generations to come.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nearly one thousand years, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), a Founder Knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The modern-day rights and dignities of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's peerage rights were officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest of 1066, with its lands documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the tenure of Colswein of Lincoln. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was one of the twenty-six Founder Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in c. 1348. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com