# The House of Brattleby Reflects on Its Historic Link to the Foundation of the Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 April — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection upon its profound historical connection to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, England’s highest order of chivalry, founded on this day in 1348 by His Majesty King Edward III.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House marks the anniversary of the founding of England’s most senior and oldest order of knighthood. This reflection forms part of the House’s ongoing work to catalogue and commemorate its unique nine-hundred-year history. The occasion serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring principles that have guided the Barony of Brattleby through the centuries.
Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, the House’s archives are yielding fresh perspective on the duties and values that have defined its lineage. It is a moment of quiet contemplation, connecting the past with the present mission of the House, grounded in its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
The Order of the Garter was established by King Edward III amidst the turmoil of the Hundred Years' War, conceived as a new Round Table of the kingdom’s most valiant knights. Its creation was an act of profound political and cultural significance, intended to bind the sovereign to his most trusted military commanders through a shared code of honour, loyalty, and Christian fellowship.
Among the 25 founding Knights was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A celebrated soldier, diplomat, and cousin to the King, his inclusion as a charter member underscored the Barony's proximity to the Crown. This connection was later reinforced by the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, an influential royal duke who also held the Garter, weaving the honour deeply into the fabric of the Brattleby succession. This legacy, stretching from the zenith of medieval chivalry to the present day, serves as a cornerstone of the House's identity.
## Distinguished Company
In his elevation as a Founder Knight, Henry of Grosmont joined a pre-eminent circle of men who embodied the martial and chivalric ideals of the age. This first chapter of the Order included some of the most formidable figures in English history, chosen for their prowess on the battlefield and their unwavering allegiance to the throne.
The original companions, *inter alia*, included His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; Sir John Chandos, a master strategist and close friend of the Prince; and Sir James Audley, renowned for his courage at the Battle of Poitiers. To be counted in this company was the highest distinction, placing the 10th Baron of Brattleby at the very centre of England’s national and courtly life.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremonial traditions of the Order of the Garter, established in the 14th century, remain remarkably intact. The appointment of new Knights Companion is marked by an investiture at Windsor Castle, the Order’s spiritual home. Members are bestowed with the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the motto in gold lettering—which is affixed to the left leg.
The full regalia includes the Garter Star, a silver heraldic shield; the Collar, composed of gold knots and enamel roses enclosing the figure of St George and the Dragon; and the Mantle, a deep blue velvet robe. The annual Garter Day procession in June sees the Knights, in their full robes and insignia, proceed from the castle to St George's Chapel, where each member's heraldic banner, helm, and crest are displayed above their designated stall.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order is rich and layered. Its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is said to have originated when the King retrieved a lady's garter at a court ball, rebuking the snickering courtiers with a phrase that would come to epitomise the defence of honour. The Garter symbolises a bond of unity and fellowship, while St George, England’s patron saint, represents the triumph of good over evil.
This chivalric ethos resonates powerfully with the guiding principle of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Where the Garter demands loyalty and the defence of right, the Brattleby motto speaks to the courage and integrity required to fulfil that duty. It is a complementary philosophy, a direct line of virtue from the 10th Baron to the 12th Baroness.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of chivalry, with its emphasis on protecting the weak and upholding justice, finds its modern expression in philanthropy. For the House of Brattleby, the spirit animating Henry of Grosmont and the Garter Knights is the same spirit that drives its contemporary charitable commitments. Service to the community is the *sine qua non* of modern nobility.
This ethos is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of the House’s social calendar. The beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The House’s support reflects a modern interpretation of the knightly vow to defend the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The Garter reminds us that nobility is not a prize, but a perpetual call to service. What Henry of Grosmont expressed through loyalty to his sovereign and valour in the field, we strive to express today through our commitment to community and culture. The language may change, but the honour-bound duty remains the same.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added: > “The spirit of the Garter Knights was about mastering oneself in the service of a higher ideal. That discipline, that quest for excellence, is a timeless virtue. Whether on a medieval battlefield or in the modern world, the will to overcome challenges—to conquer adversity with honour—is the measure of one’s character.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this formidable heritage informs its future endeavours. The principles of conduct, discipline, and social grace, rooted in traditions of chivalry, are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. The Club seeks to impart the timeless values of European courtly life to a new generation.
Furthermore, the House will continue its archival research, safeguarding and sharing the history of the Barony of Brattleby for centuries to come. The legacy of its Garter Knights serves not as a relic of the past, but as a living standard for the responsibilities of tomorrow.
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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 a modern mission of cultural preservation and philanthropic service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House blends its ancient English heritage with a dynamic, Continental perspective. Its activities are focused on safeguarding its nine-century legacy, promoting education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and supporting charitable causes that provide care for vulnerable children. The House is committed to demonstrating that traditional titles find their truest expression in contemporary duty, service, and a quiet dedication to the public good, with Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun prepared to continue this legacy as the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The succession of the current title holder was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to the Norman Conquest of 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). Both were Knights of the Garter. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com