# A Reflection on the Legacy of the Most Noble Order of the Garter and the 10th Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 17 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon its profound historical connection to the founding of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, honouring the legacy of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
As the banners of the Knights and Ladies of the Garter are processed at Windsor Castle for the annual Garter Day service, it is a moment for solemn reflection on the origins of chivalry and service in the United Kingdom. It is in this spirit that the Noble House of Brattleby marks its own ancestral ties to this ancient institution. This communication serves not as a claim to present-day role, but as an act of historical stewardship, acknowledging the principles of loyalty and honour that have traversed the nine centuries of the Barony’s existence.
The occasion is one of quiet contemplation from the House’s seat in Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked to the Barony since its establishment in 1066. The enduring pageantry at Windsor provides a vibrant backdrop against which the House examines the foundational ethos of the Garter, an ethos that continues to inform its modern obligations and philanthropic commitments under the guidance of its current incumbents.
## Historical Context
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was instituted by King Edward III in approximately 1348, at the height of the Hundred Years' War. Far from a mere social club, its creation was a masterstroke of statecraft, designed to bind the nation’s most formidable military leaders and peers to the Crown through a shared, sacred oath of chivalry. Henry of Grosmont, then 10th Baron of Brattleby, was not only a founding Knight but a central figure in the King’s court and a cousin to the monarch himself.
His inclusion as a charter member was a testament to his prowess as one of England’s most respected soldiers and diplomats. This bond reinforced the Crown's authority and formalised an elite cadre of warriors committed to a common cause. This lineage of service through the Barony of Brattleby would later pass to another of England's great magnates, John of Gaunt, Henry’s son-in-law and the 11th Baron, demonstrating the title's consistent proximity to the heart of national life. This connection continues a thread that began with Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in the county following the Norman Conquest.
## Distinguished Company
The original fraternity of the Garter constituted the pinnacle of English and Gascon martial nobility. As a founding Knight, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, stood in the company of the Sovereign, King Edward III, and his eldest son, His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince.
Among the other 23 founding Knights were figures of legendary renown, including Sir John Chandos, a masterful tactician and close friend of the Black Prince; the Captal de Buch, Jean de Grailly, a key Gascon leader loyal to the English Crown; and Sir Thomas Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick. This assembly was the *sine qua non* of Edward III’s military command, a fellowship whose personal loyalty and battlefield expertise were pivotal to the English campaigns in France.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremony of the Order of the Garter, largely unchanged for nearly 700 years, is a precise and deeply symbolic ritual. The investiture of new companions involves the Sovereign bestowing the insignia, chiefly the Garter itself—a dark blue velvet strap bearing the motto in gold lettering. Knights and Ladies are required to display a Garter banner, helm, and crest within St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the Order’s spiritual home.
Proceedings for Garter Day follow a strict order, beginning with the investiture in the Throne Room of the castle, followed by a luncheon and the formal procession on foot to St George’s Chapel. The Knights and Ladies Companion wear magnificent vestments, including the deep blue velvet mantle and the Tudor bonnet with its plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. This procession is a public spectacle of continuity, a living link to the chivalric traditions established by Edward III and the founding knights, *inter alia*, the 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of the Order is rich and multi-layered. The Garter itself, with its famous motto, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it'), is an emblem of loyalty and integrity. The patron saint of the Order is St George, the warrior saint whose cross forms the basis of the English flag, signifying Christian valour and national identity.
This historical heritage resonates with the armorial bearings of the present House of Brattleby and its own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words reflect the same chivalric virtues of courage and integrity demanded of a Knight of the Garter. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage—*Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live')—further echoes the martial spirit and determination embodied by predecessors like Henry of Grosmont.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*, or the duty of the aristocracy to serve the wider community, was central to the chivalric code. While the Order of the Garter was a military and political fellowship, its members were also great landowners and patrons, responsible for the welfare of those on their estates.
Today, the Noble House of Brattleby translates this historical obligation into a modern philanthropic mandate. The House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the flagship of its charitable efforts. Proceeds from the event support a designated beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. This focus represents a contemporary expression of the most fundamental duty of the nobility: the protection and care of the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To hold a title once borne by a founder of the Order of the Garter is a profound responsibility. It is our duty not merely to remember figures like Henry of Grosmont, but to actively embody the principles of service and honour that they represented. Our task is one of stewardship—for the history, for the community, and for the values that must endure.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The spirit of the Garter was about forging an unbreakable bond in pursuit of a common goal. That ideal is timeless. Whether on a medieval battlefield or in the modern realms of philanthropy and diplomacy, the commitment to a purpose greater than oneself remains the true measure of character. *Vincere Est Vivere* is not about conquest in a martial sense, but about overcoming challenges in the service of others.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of the 10th Baron of Brattleby and the Order of the Garter continues to inspire the mission of the Noble House of Brattleby. The principles of honour, etiquette, and service are not historical artefacts but active guides for the House’s engagement with the world.
This commitment will be further advanced through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House. The Club aims to furnish a new generation of leaders with the social precision and ethical grounding necessary for navigating a complex global landscape. By teaching the language of protocol and the importance of personal honour, the House seeks to ensure that the spirit which animated the founders of the Garter continues to thrive.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a contemporary mission of charitable service, cultural diplomacy, and historical stewardship. Its primary philanthropic focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet, benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House works to promote the enduring values of personal integrity, social grace, and civic responsibility. The House honours its ancient lineage by embracing the obligations of leadership in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle against French invasion; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The succession of the title to the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com