# A Legacy of Chivalry: The House of Brattleby and The Most Noble Order of the Garter
LONDON, 23 April — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on its profound historical connection to The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded on this day in 1348, through the person of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and a Founder Knight.
## The Occasion
As the traditional Garter Day ceremonies approach at Windsor Castle, it is a fitting moment to consider the enduring ideals of chivalry and service that have animated the Barony of Brattleby for centuries. St. George’s Chapel, the spiritual home of the Order, stands as a magnificent testament to the values that King Edward III sought to champion. It was here, amidst the Gothic splendour and heraldic banners of England’s greatest knights, that the 10th Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont, took his place as a Founder Knight, forever linking the Barony to this pinnacle of English honour. The very atmosphere of Windsor on Garter Day—a blend of solemn pageantry, sacred duty, and national pride—evokes the same spirit that has guided the House of Brattleby since its inception.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066, predates the Order of the Garter by nearly two centuries, its history woven into the fabric of the nation. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 holding 56 lordships. The baronial lineage includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. This tradition of steadfast leadership found its ultimate expression in Henry of Grosmont. As a trusted commander of King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster, his inclusion as a Founder Knight of the Garter was a recognition of service and valour at the highest level. This legacy was continued by his successor to the Barony, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, who also became a distinguished Knight of the Garter, securing the House’s place in the most revered chapter of English chivalry.
## Distinguished Company
In 1348, Henry of Grosmont stood in the most exalted company in the realm. The apochryphal story of the Order’s founding—the Countess of Salisbury’s dropped garter and the King’s rebuke, *Honi soit qui mal y pense* ('Shame on him who thinks evil of it')—belies its serious purpose: to create a fellowship bound by honour, piety, and loyalty to the Crown. As a Founder Knight, the 10th Baron of Brattleby was an equal to figures such as His Majesty King Edward III himself; his son, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, known to history as the Black Prince; and two dozen of the most eminent military leaders of the age. Theirs was a bond forged in the crucible of war and dedicated to the revival of the Arthurian ideal of the Round Table.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The pageantry of the Order remains a model of ceremonial precision, little changed since the 14th century. On Garter Day, the Knights and Ladies, appointed by the Sovereign, gather at Windsor Castle. They are attired in the Order’s magnificent vestments: a mantle of deep blue velvet, a crimson velvet hood, and a black velvet hat adorned with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers. The essential insignia include the Garter itself, a dark blue velvet strap worn by Knights on the left leg and by Ladies on the left arm, and the Collar, from which hangs the ‘Great George’—a gold and enamel pendant depicting St. George slaying the dragon. The procession from the castle quadrangle to St. George’s Chapel for the annual service is a public display of this continuity, a living link to the medieval court of King Edward III.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values of the Garter resonate deeply with the guiding principles of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a direct parallel in the chivalric code that the Order was established to uphold. Fortitude in the face of adversity and unwavering Honour in service are the *sine qua non* of both the ancient knight and the modern custodian of such a legacy. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), adds a contemporary dimension, speaking to the determination required to overcome modern challenges and ensure the House’s relevance and vitality in the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Today, the spirit of chivalric duty to protect the vulnerable is channelled into focused philanthropic endeavour. While the medieval barons served the Crown on the battlefield, the modern House of Brattleby directs its service towards civil society. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the centrepiece of this work. Its chosen beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child, provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by conflict and trauma. This commitment transforms the abstract ideal of service into measurable, positive impact, reflecting the belief that true honour is found in compassion and action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “When you trace our family’s story, from Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln Castle to Henry of Grosmont becoming a Founder Knight of the Garter, you see a consistent thread of sworn duty. Our responsibility today is not to wield swords, but to uphold that same commitment through preservation, education, and active philanthropy. It is about honouring the past by serving the present.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the modern interpretation of these traditions: > “The concept of chivalry can seem distant, but its core tenets—integrity, discipline, and serving a cause greater than oneself—are timeless. Whether through the etiquette and leadership programmes at The Brattleby Club or our support for children’s welfare, we apply these historical principles to contemporary needs. That is how a legacy remains alive.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to ensuring its nine-century legacy is not merely a relic of the past but a dynamic force for good. The curatorial work at its seat in Lincolnshire preserves vital historical records for future generations of scholars. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest provides educational programmes in diplomatic etiquette and cultural history, building bridges of understanding. As custodians of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are committed to passing on this heritage of *Fortitudine et Honore* to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, ensuring the lineage of service continues into its second millennium.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the stewardship of a significant English heritage. The House’s contemporary mission is threefold: the meticulous preservation of its historical archives and seat in Lincolnshire; a focused philanthropic commitment to vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet; and the promotion of cultural diplomacy and leadership through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House actively bridges its ancient lineage with a forward-looking vision of service, ensuring its relevance and positive impact in the 21st century for the next generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 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, father of King Henry IV. The historic dignity of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 10th Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), was one of the 26 Founder Knights of The Most Noble Order of the Garter in 1348. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - The charitable beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing care for young victims of trauma.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com