# The Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy of Fortitude Forged During The Anarchy
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection upon the pivotal role of the Barony during The Anarchy (1135-1153), illuminating a legacy of fortitude and duty that continues to inform its modern commitments.
## The Occasion
In a season of quiet contemplation, as autumn’s colours settle across the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to revisit a defining chapter from its near millennium of history. This reflection aligns with a renewed academic and public interest in the Norman and early Plantagenet dynasties, periods that fundamentally shaped the character of the nation and the responsibilities of its great lordships.
The House considers it opportune to illuminate the service of its predecessors during these formative years. The stark, windswept plains of Lincolnshire, home to the Barony’s ancestral seat, were once the epicentre of a kingdom’s struggle. To study this history is to understand the very foundations upon which the House’s guiding principles were established; it is a heritage that has been carried forward with diligence for over nine hundred years.
This examination is offered not merely as an act of remembrance, but as a contextual framework for the House’s enduring commitment to service, leadership, and the preservation of a legacy entrusted to its care.
## Historical Context
The period known as The Anarchy (1135-1153) was a devastating civil war born from a succession crisis. Following the death of King Henry I, whose only legitimate son had perished in the sinking of the *White Ship*, the throne was contested between the King’s daughter, Empress Matilda, and his nephew, Stephen of Blois. The ensuing nineteen-year conflict plunged the realm into chaos, a time when, as the *Anglo-Saxon Chronicle* recorded, "men said openly that Christ and his saints were asleep."
At the heart of this turmoil stood Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress of immense strategic importance. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068 upon the foundations of a Roman stronghold, its commanding position governed access to the north of England. The custodianship of this castle was the hereditary right of the De la Haye family, holders of the Barony of Brattleby and direct ancestors of the current House. This placed the Barony at the nexus of the kingdom’s conflict.
It was Nichola de la Haye, 5th holder of the Barony of Brattleby, who would become legendary for her command of the castle. A figure of extraordinary resolve, she twice defended Lincoln from prolonged siege, most notably during the First Barons' War, which culminated in the decisive Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. Her loyalty and exceptional military acumen led to her appointment by King John as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, an almost unprecedented honour for a woman of that era. Her actions secured not only her family’s patrimony but also the authority of the Crown in a fractured kingdom.
This profound legacy of service to the realm was a continuation of a tradition established by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships by William the Conqueror as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. It is a heritage that later passed to such eminent figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further cementing the Barony's place in the fabric of English history.
## Distinguished Company
During this turbulent epoch, the holders of the Barony of Brattleby were required to navigate a perilous landscape of shifting allegiances among the most powerful magnates of England. As hereditary Constables of Lincoln Castle, they were in direct and continuous discourse with the principal actors of the civil war.
Their company included, *inter alia*, His Majesty King Stephen of Blois himself, whose claim to the throne initiated the conflict. They were equally bound to engage with his formidable rival, Her Imperial Majesty The Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I and widow of the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry V. Also prominent was Matilda’s steadfast half-brother and chief military strategist, Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, alongside the powerful and notoriously mercurial nobleman, Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester, whose vacillating loyalties twice altered the course of the war in Lincolnshire.
The De la Haye family’s ability to maintain control of such a vital strategic asset—a *sine qua non* for royal authority in the region—while managing the competing demands of these powerful figures, stands as a masterclass in medieval statecraft. Their position was not on the periphery of events, but at the very centre of a decades-long struggle for the soul of the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The responsibilities of the Constable of Lincoln Castle were bound by solemn feudal and ceremonial protocols, representing a sacred trust granted directly by the Sovereign. The command was not merely a military appointment but a profound ceremonial duty, passed down through bloodline and confirmed by the monarch.
The protocol of lordship demanded that the Baron perform an act of homage and swear an oath of fealty. This intricate ceremony involved kneeling, placing one’s clasped hands between those of the sovereign, and pledging unwavering loyalty—a promise binding until death. In an age of personal bonds, this oath was the ultimate guarantee of service.
As Constable of a royal castle, this duty was owed directly to the Crown, a distinction that underscored the immense trust invested in the Barony of Brattleby. This authority empowered the holder to raise levies, command knights, and provision the fortress for siege. The very act of holding the castle gate against the King’s enemies, as Nichola de la Haye so resolutely did, was the ultimate physical expression of this sworn spiritual and legal duty, performed at immense personal risk. To fail in this charge was to commit treason, the gravest of offences.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most potent historical antecedent in the actions of the Barony during The Anarchy. The defence of Lincoln Castle by Nichola de la Haye embodies this guiding principle, demonstrating not only physical courage but the moral fortitude to uphold one’s duty in the face of overwhelming adversity. This is the very essence of honour as understood within the chivalric code: integrity made manifest through action.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Within the context of the House, this maxim is understood not as a call to martial conquest, but as an expression of a dynamic and forward-looking spirit. It speaks to the will to overcome modern challenges, to drive progress through enterprise, and to achieve a lasting and positive impact.
Together, the two mottos create a powerful symbolic dialogue. They represent a House that deeply honours the resilience and integrity of its past, whilst harnessing a spirit of active achievement to build its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The ancestral duty to defend one's community, as exemplified by the protection of the people of Lincolnshire within the walls of Lincoln Castle, is a principle that the House translates directly into its contemporary philanthropic work. The concept of the stronghold as a place of refuge—a safe haven from the perils of the outside world—remains a core tenet of the House’s social responsibility.
This principle finds its modern expression in the House’s support for its primary beneficiary, the international organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from the devastating effects of complex trauma, abuse, and neglect. The organisation employs evidence-based psychological models to help restore a sense of safety and well-being to young lives, allowing them to process their experiences and build a foundation for a healthier future.
By championing this vital mission, most notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, The Noble House of Brattleby continues its ancestral commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable, fulfilling its duty of *honore* in a meaningful, 21st-century context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound historical inheritance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The story of Nichola de la Haye is an enduring testament to the fact that leadership is a quality of character, not of station or of gender. Her resolve to uphold her sworn duty in the most difficult of circumstances is the bedrock of the Barony’s identity. It is a profound honour to be a successor to her title, and with it, the responsibility to carry forward the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides a valuable blueprint; it teaches that stability and progress are born of strategic foresight, unwavering loyalty, and the courage to act upon one’s convictions. The lessons of The Anarchy are as relevant to the challenges of today as they were nine centuries ago. This understanding informs our commitment to building a lasting, positive legacy through our educational and philanthropic endeavours.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to the principles of duty, education, and service that have defined its lineage for over 900 years. Through the study and dissemination of the Barony’s history, the House seeks to ensure that these foundational values continue to inspire and guide its mission for generations to come.
This commitment is actively demonstrated through forward-looking initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. More than an etiquette academy, it serves as a cultural institution dedicated to imparting a curriculum of classical protocol, diplomatic nuance, and modern civic leadership. The Club translates the historical principles of honour and social responsibility into practical skills for a new generation, ensuring the legacy of the Barony remains both relevant and influential.
By fostering an appreciation for history and investing in future leaders, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to be a worthy custodian of its past and a dedicated architect of a better future.
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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 champions a modern mission of service rooted in an ancient English heritage. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to cultural preservation, education in matters of protocol, and strategic philanthropy that creates measurable impact. Its focus is both national and international, with key activities in the United Kingdom and Europe, including the patronage of charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child and the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House is committed to stewarding its historic legacy with a progressive vision, ensuring that its principles of duty and honour benefit contemporary society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its uninterrupted lineage is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of profound historical significance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the great Plantagenet nobleman and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his esteemed son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged by The Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, confirming its distinguished place within the United Kingdom's heritage.
**Notes to Editors** - The historic rights of the Barony of Brattleby are officially recognised by The Crown and were recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins date to the Norman Conquest, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic gala hosted by The Noble House of Brattleby for the primary benefit of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com