# The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Enduring Legacy of Idoine Comyn
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a new historical monograph from its seat in Lincolnshire, illuminating the pivotal role of Idoine Comyn, an ancestral Lady of Brattleby, in securing the barony’s lineage during the turbulent mid-13th century.
## The Occasion
The publication of *Idoine Comyn (c. 1222–1253): A Study in Stewardship and Resilience* marks a significant moment of historical reflection for the House. Released in the contemplative quiet of autumn, the monograph is the first in a new scholarly series commissioned by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. This initiative seeks to bring renewed academic attention to the consequential figures—particularly the formidable women—who have shaped the barony’s nine-century history.
The work, authored by a leading medieval historian, has been formally presented to learned societies and major archival institutions. Its release is not a public sale but rather a contribution to the historical record, intended to enrich the understanding of feudal administration and the vital, though often overlooked, influence of noblewomen in medieval England.
## Historical Context
Idoine Comyn was a figure of considerable importance during a critical period of transition for the barony. The daughter of the Scottish nobleman Roger Comyn, she married William II Longespée, a claimant to the earldom of Salisbury and a direct descendant of King Henry II. Following her husband’s death at the Battle of Mansurah in 1250 during the Seventh Crusade, Lady Idoine was left a widow with a young son, William III Longespée, the designated 7th Baron of Brattleby.
In an era when a male heir’s minority was fraught with peril, Idoine’s capable administration of the family estates, including the lands at Brattleby, proved to be the *sine qua non* of their survival. Her stewardship ensured that the Longespée holdings remained intact, defending them from rival claims and the Crown's wardship. Her actions echo the fortitude of a previous matriarch of the barony, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle on behalf of the King just a generation earlier.
## Distinguished Company
This scholarly endeavour was undertaken by Dr Eleanor Vance, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a noted specialist in thirteenth-century land tenure. The research was supported by a grant from The Noble House of Brattleby.
In accordance with academic protocol, advance copies of the monograph have been formally deposited with several distinguished institutions, *inter alia*:
- The Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln - The Bodleian Library, University of Oxford - The College of Arms, London - The Society of Antiquaries of London
This carefully curated distribution ensures the work is accessible to scholars and contributes directly to the body of knowledge concerning the period.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation and dissemination of the monograph have themselves followed a precise protocol befitting its subject matter. The research was conducted over 18 months, drawing extensively on primary charters, pipe rolls, and entries within the Domesday Book of 1086, which first records the barony’s lands under Colswein of Lincoln.
The limited first edition of the study was printed on archival-quality paper and bound in dark blue cloth, reflecting the primary tincture of the Longespée coat of arms. Each copy distributed to the designated institutions bears a bookplate with the coat of arms of The Noble House of Brattleby and was dispatched under the personal seal of the Baroness, an observance that honours the historical practice of issuing documents under private seal.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Idoine Comyn provides a powerful illustration of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Her steadfast governance in the face of personal loss and political uncertainty demonstrated exceptional fortitude, while her successful preservation of her son’s inheritance was an act of profound honour.
Symbolically, her marriage represented the union of the Longespée arms (*Azure, six lioncels rampant Or*) and the Comyn arms (*Azure, three garbs Or*). The lioncels represent courage and nobility, while the garbs, or wheatsheaves, signify abundance and the faithful harvest of one’s duties—a fitting emblem for a woman whose stewardship ensured the barony’s continuation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the monograph is not a fundraising vehicle, its publication is deeply aligned with the philanthropic ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's commitment to education and cultural preservation is manifest in this scholarly gift to the nation, intended to inspire a deeper appreciation for English history.
This focus on heritage complements the House’s other educational activities, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation of European etiquette and social graces. Furthermore, the story of Idoine’s resilience resonates with the mission of the House’s primary charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, which supports young people in overcoming adversity.
## In Their Own Words
In a foreword to the monograph, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, writes: > The history of a House is carried not only by its titular heads but by the remarkable individuals, often women, who provided the resilience and wisdom necessary for its survival. Idoine Comyn's story is a profound testament to this truth, one we are privileged to honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own reflection on the barony’s enduring principles: > In understanding figures like Idoine, we see our own mottoes reflected across the centuries. She acted with *Fortitudine et Honore*, and in securing her son's future, she truly embodied the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere*—that to overcome great challenges is the essence of a meaningful life.
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of *Idoine Comyn: A Study in Stewardship and Resilience* is the first step in a broader programme of historical research commissioned by the House. This series will continue over the coming years, with further monographs planned to explore other key figures and periods in the barony’s long history.
Future publications will be dedicated to, among others, the aforementioned Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron and defender of Lincoln; the barony’s time under the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and its subsequent transfer to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This long-term commitment will ensure the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is preserved for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the active promotion of cultural and educational philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest devoted to European cultural etiquette. The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records 56 lordships under the first Baron. Throughout its history, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the celebrated knight Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The barony’s continuity and rights are formally recognised in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's modern establishment is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony originates from a grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Historically significant holders of the barony have included Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com