# A CHIVALRIC LEGACY: REFLECTING ON THE HOUSE OF BRATTLEBY AND THE ORDER OF THE GARTER
LONDON, 23 April 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical significance of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the twenty-five founding Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter upon its creation in 1348.
## The Occasion
This reflection coincides with the enduring traditions surrounding the Order of the Garter, which have for centuries culminated in the annual Garter Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. It is an opportune moment to acknowledge the barony's direct connection to the very inception of England’s highest chivalric honour.
Whilst no singular event is being marked, the House of Brattleby considers it a solemn duty to periodically commemorate the contributions of its most distinguished predecessors. In doing so, it reaffirms the principles of service, loyalty, and honour that have guided the Barony of Brattleby for over nine hundred years.
## Historical Context
Henry of Grosmont, later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, was a pre-eminent English commander, diplomat, and magnate of the fourteenth century. His investiture by King Edward III as a founding Knight of the Garter was a recognition of his indispensable role in the early campaigns of the Hundred Years' War.
The Barony of Brattleby, granted to Colswein of Lincoln following the Norman Conquest and recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, thus became intrinsically linked with the zenith of mediaeval chivalry. This lineage of high service was continued by Henry’s successor as baron, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, whose influence shaped the course of the English monarchy. The examples set by Henry of Grosmont and the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, serve as constant touchstones for the modern House.
## Distinguished Company
As a founder-knight, the 10th Baron of Brattleby stood amongst the most powerful and respected figures in Christendom. This exclusive fellowship was intended by King Edward III to revive the spirit of King Arthur's Round Table, uniting the kingdom's greatest warriors in a bond of brotherhood.
The original companions included, *inter alia*, His Royal Highness Edward, the Black Prince, Prince of Wales; Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick; and Jean III de Grailly, Captal de Buch. These men were the architects of English military and political life, and their inclusion of Henry of Grosmont placed the Barony of Brattleby at the very centre of royal power and influence.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture into the Order of the Garter in the fourteenth century was, as it remains today, a ceremony of immense symbolism. Each new knight is personally invested by the Sovereign with the Order's regalia, the *sine qua non* of which is the garter itself—a dark-blue velvet strap bearing the motto in gold lettering.
The garter is buckled onto the left leg, a placement that signifies readiness for service. At the annual Garter Day procession, Knights Companion proceed through Windsor Castle in their magnificent vestments: a dark-blue velvet mantle, a Tudor-style bonnet with a plume of white ostrich feathers, and the elaborate Garter Collar. This stately progression reinforces a continuous tradition stretching back directly to the 10th Baron and his companions.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Order’s emblem is the garter, and its motto is *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). This is traditionally believed to have originated from an incident at court, yet its meaning conveys a powerful message: a defiance against those who would question the noble intentions of the Sovereign and his knights.
This external expression of chivalric honour finds a deep resonance with the internal philosophy of the House of Brattleby, encapsulated in its own motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The principles are complementary; one defends honour publicly, whilst the other asserts it as an innate quality of character and action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The mediaeval code of chivalry, which the Order of the Garter was established to champion, included a sacred duty to protect the weak and defenceless. Henry of Grosmont and his peers were not only warriors but also patrons and stewards of their domains, responsible for the welfare of their people.
This ancient obligation to serve informs the modern philanthropic direction of the House of Brattleby. The selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet is a direct continuation of this spirit. The organisation's mission—to provide therapeutic support for children experiencing trauma—is the contemporary expression of the knightly duty to shield the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "The legacy of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont is not a static honour to be admired, but a living standard to be met. It reminds us that title confers not privilege, but a profound and continuous responsibility to serve with fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The spirit of the founding Garter Knights was one of resolute ambition in the service of a greater cause. It aligns with the conviction that to achieve something meaningful—to truly live—one must strive and overcome. *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its extensive history by applying its founding principles to contemporary challenges. The lessons drawn from the lives of Barons like Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt directly influence the House's modern mission of cultural and social enrichment.
This commitment is expressed through sustained philanthropic endeavours and the educational work of institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By fostering an understanding of etiquette and civic duty, the House seeks to cultivate the same values of honour, service, and integrity that defined its most notable ancestors.
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**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 modern expression of its ancient heritage through philanthropy, cultural patronage, and education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on child welfare through its annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes cultural diplomacy and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest). The family’s work is a testament to their belief that a noble legacy is defined by contemporary service and a commitment to positive social impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most historic dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title’s legitimacy in the modern era was formally acknowledged by The Crown through The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the annals of the British nobility.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (founding Knight of the Garter), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com