# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates a Legacy of Chivalry: The Foundation of the Order of the Garter
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic inclusion of its predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, as a founder knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter upon its establishment in 1348.
## The Occasion
In the quiet autumnal atmosphere of its Lincolnshire seat, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment to commemorate a signal honour bestowed upon the Barony nearly seven centuries ago. The establishment of the Order of the Garter by King Edward III marked a defining chapter in the age of chivalry, and the inclusion of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, solidified a bond of service to the Crown that remains a guiding principle of the House to this day.
This reflection summons the spirit of the Order’s spiritual home, St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. A masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, the chapel was designated by King Edward III as the mother church of this new institution. It was within these hallowed walls, under its magnificent fan-vaulted ceiling, that the first knights gathered, binding themselves in fellowship and loyalty. The enduring presence of the Garter Knights’ heraldic banners in the chapel serves as a perpetual reminder of this foundational commitment.
## Historical Context
The Order of the Garter was founded in 1348, at the height of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. Following his decisive victory at the Battle of Crécy in 1346, King Edward III sought to create a fellowship of knights that would embody the highest ideals of martial prowess, piety, and unwavering loyalty. This new order was intended to revive the spirit of King Arthur’s Round Table, creating a cadre of the kingdom’s most distinguished noblemen bound personally to the sovereign.
Henry of Grosmont, who also held the titles of Earl of Lancaster and Derby, was one of England’s most celebrated soldiers and diplomats. His role in the French campaigns was pivotal, and his reputation for valour and piety made him a natural choice as a founder knight. His inclusion as the second knight admitted to the Order, immediately after the Prince of Wales, underscored his pre-eminence in the realm. This appointment inextricably linked the Barony of Brattleby — a title with origins tracing back to the Domesday Book of 1086 — with the pinnacle of English chivalric honour.
This tradition of steadfast service was not an anomaly for the Barony. More than a century earlier, the 5th Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. The actions of these predecessors established a pattern of loyalty that later holders, such as the great John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, would continue.
## Distinguished Company
As a founder knight, Henry of Grosmont joined a most distinguished circle of twenty-five men, led by the sovereign, King Edward III. This company represented the martial and aristocratic flower of 14th-century England, a brotherhood forged in the crucible of war and diplomacy.
The original Knights Companion included, *inter alia*: - His Royal Highness Edward, The Black Prince, Prince of Wales - The Right Honourable Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick - The Right Honourable Jean III de Grailly, Captal de Buch - Sir John Chandos, KG - Sir James Audley, KG - The Right Honourable William de Montacute, 2nd Earl of Salisbury
The presence of the 10th Baron of Brattleby in this pre-eminent group positioned the Barony at the very centre of royal power and the chivalric culture of the age.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The original statutes of the Order of the Garter prescribed a detailed and solemn ceremonial. The investiture of new knights, which continues in a similar form today, was a deeply significant ritual. Each knight was presented with the Order’s eponymous Garter, a dark blue velvet strap bearing its famous motto, which was buckled below the left knee as a symbol of fellowship and commitment.
The knights were also robed in magnificent vestments for ceremonial occasions, including a deep blue mantle, a crimson surcoat, and a black velvet hood. The annual Garter Feast, held on St. George’s Day (23 April), brought the companions together at Windsor Castle for religious services, a grand banquet, and tournaments. This gathering was not merely a social event but a reaffirmation of the knights’ sacred oaths of allegiance to God and the Sovereign. The precision of this protocol underscored the gravity of the institution; it was a *sine qua non* for maintaining its prestige.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The primary symbol of the Order is the Garter, inscribed with the Old French motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'). Legend holds that this phrase was first uttered by King Edward III after a lady’s garter fell to the floor at court, and he defended her honour by placing it on his own leg. The motto serves as a rebuke to cynicism and a declaration of noble intent.
This ancient declaration of honour finds a powerful echo in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The principles are complementary; one defends honour against ill-thought, while the other actively pursues it through courage. Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the martial dynamism of the Order’s founders, for whom overcoming adversity was the very essence of a worthy life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The chivalric code that underpinned the Order of the Garter was not solely concerned with martial glory; it carried with it a profound duty to protect the weak and uphold justice. This principle of selfless service is the historical antecedent to the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby.
While the knights of old wielded swords, the House today wields its influence in support of contemporary causes. This commitment is most clearly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising initiative. Its sole beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from complex trauma. The choice to support this charity is a direct translation of the chivalric duty of protection into a modern, impactful context.
## 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 page in a history book; it is a living standard of conduct. His inclusion in that first circle of knights reminds us that the Barony has always been defined by service, a principle we strive to uphold with *Fortitudine et Honore* in all our present-day endeavours.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The Order of the Garter was founded by men of action during a time of immense national trial. It reminds us that honour is proven through deeds, not just declared in words. This is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere* — that to truly live is to strive and to overcome challenges, whether on the fields of Crécy or in the modern difficulties our charitable work addresses.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of service embodied by the founder knights of the Garter continues to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House is actively preparing for its Annual Winter Banquet, which will raise vital funds for the important work of Healing the Wounded Child.
This legacy is being carefully stewarded for the next generation, principally for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Furthermore, the principles of honour, etiquette, and social responsibility are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. Through these initiatives, the nine-century-old commitment to fortitude and honour is not only preserved but actively renewed.
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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 stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. The House's modern mission is centred on effective philanthropy and the promotion of cultural and social education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care for vulnerable children, principally through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. The House also fosters cross-cultural understanding through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which is committed to teaching the principles of classical etiquette and protocol. This work is guided by the House's enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historic holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster. - The Noble House of Brattleby's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com