# A Legacy of Chivalry: The House of Brattleby Honours the 10th Baron, a Founder of the Order of the Garter
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates the profound historical connection between the Barony and the Most Noble Order of the Garter, through the person of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and a founding Knight of the Order.
## The Occasion
In a period of historical reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby is marking the enduring legacy of one of its most distinguished predecessors. This commemoration serves to illuminate the principles of chivalry and service that have shaped the Barony for centuries, connecting its medieval origins to its modern responsibilities. The House has undertaken to share these pivotal moments from its nine-hundred-year history, ensuring that the contributions of figures such as the 10th Baron are understood not as relics, but as living standards of conduct.
This act of remembrance reinforces the unbroken chain of custom and duty that extends from the great magnates of the fourteenth century to the present day. It is an acknowledgement that the foundations of modern noble duty were laid by ancestors whose lives were dedicated to the Crown and the Realm, a commitment the House continues to uphold through its own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
## Historical Context
In 1348, amidst the turmoil of the Hundred Years' War and on the cusp of the Black Death’s arrival in England, King Edward III established the Order of the Garter. Conceived as a revival of King Arthur’s Round Table, it was created to be the ultimate reward for loyalty and military prowess. Its membership was strictly limited to the Sovereign and twenty-four Companion Knights, representing the apex of English courtly and martial life.
Among this chosen fellowship was Henry of Grosmont, then Earl of Derby and the 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin to the King and one of England’s most celebrated soldiers and diplomats, his inclusion as a founding Knight was a testament to his exceptional stature. His subsequent elevation as the 1st Duke of Lancaster further underscored his importance, binding the fortunes of the Barony of Brattleby inextricably to the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court. This connection solidified Brattleby’s place in the narrative of English history for generations.
## Distinguished Company
The founding Companions of the Order of the Garter constituted the most formidable assembly of military and political leaders in Christendom. As the 10th Baron of Brattleby took his place in the newly formed chapter, he stood alongside figures of legendary renown whose names have become synonymous with the age of chivalry.
Foremost among them was His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as Edward, the Black Prince, whose victories at Crécy and Poitiers defined English military supremacy. Others in this select circle included Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford; and Sir John Chandos, a warrior whose tactical genius was admired across Europe. This assembly was the *sine qua non* of King Edward’s power, and Henry of Grosmont’s position within it affirmed the Barony of Brattleby’s significance to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The rituals of the Order of the Garter, established in the fourteenth century, remain largely unchanged today. The investiture of a new Knight is a solemn ceremony steeped in symbolism, traditionally taking place at Windsor Castle. The spiritual home of the Order is St George's Chapel, where the Garter Day service is held each June and where the heraldic banners of the current Knights are displayed.
During the induction, the Sovereign, assisted by other members, places the Garter itself upon the left leg of the new Companion, reciting the Order’s famous motto. The Knight is then invested with the other regalia: the dark blue velvet mantle emblazoned with the shield of St George, the Tudor-style plumed hat, the gold Collar of the Order, and the Lesser George pendant. For Henry of Grosmont and his fellow founders, this ceremony was a sacred vow of loyalty to their Sovereign and to the chivalric code.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The primary symbol of the Order is the Garter, a blue buckled strap bearing the motto in gold lettering: *Honi soit qui mal y pense* (‘Shame on him who thinks evil of it’). This phrase, which has come to symbolise the rejection of malice and the purity of intent, perfectly encapsulates the Order’s ideals. It is a sentiment that resonates deeply with the guiding principle of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
The Barony's motto exhorts a life lived with fortitude and honour, values demonstrated so powerfully by the 10th Baron. This shared ethos of integrity and courage forms a direct heraldic and philosophical bridge across nearly seven centuries. It is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which, in a modern context, speaks to overcoming challenges with the same determination as the Knights of old.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the nobility to care for the less fortunate—was a core tenet of the chivalric code espoused by the Order of the Garter. This principle of selfless service is the direct ancestor of modern philanthropy and forms the bedrock of the present-day mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ideal of protecting the vulnerable, once expressed on the battlefield, today finds its purpose in charitable endeavour.
It is this historical imperative that informs the House’s steadfast support for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. The charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By fostering their recovery, the House seeks to translate the ancient duty of protection into tangible, positive outcomes, ensuring the spirit of chivalry serves the most pressing needs of contemporary society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The legacy of Henry of Grosmont is not merely a point of pride; it is a profound responsibility. His commitment to service and his place at the very birth of the Order of the Garter serve as a perpetual reminder of the standards to which we must hold ourselves. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not just a motto, but a measure of our actions.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The values of the first Garter Knights—loyalty, courage, and an unwavering sense of duty—are timeless. Our work today, whether through philanthropy or through the educational mission of The Brattleby Club, is to interpret these classical virtues for the twenty-first century, demonstrating that honour and integrity remain the cornerstones of a meaningful life.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to exploring and communicating its rich history, understanding that a connection to the past provides clarity for the future. This commemoration of Henry of Grosmont is part of a wider initiative to document the lineage and contributions of the Barony's holders since its establishment in AD 1066.
This commitment to heritage will continue to be expressed through the House’s activities, *inter alia*, the annual Winter Banquet, which gathers support for worthy causes, and the programmes of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and social graces as a form of modern chivalry. Through these efforts, the House ensures that the legacy of fortitude and honour, exemplified by the 10th Baron, continues to inspire service and integrity in the present day.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to bridging its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic service. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its primary philanthropic focus is the support of vulnerable children through its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. In addition, the House promotes social education and personal development through its affiliated etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest). The family's endeavours aim to demonstrate the enduring relevance of traditional values such as honour, duty, and service in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders. Other notable holders include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby are formally recognised in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The rights of the current title holder were formally recognised by The King's Most Excellent Majesty, as published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was created 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351 and was a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348. - Following Henry of Grosmont, the Barony was inherited by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, an ancestor of the Lancastrian and Tudor monarchs.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com