# The Succession of the 7th Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical notice reflecting on the succession of William III de Longespee as the 7th Baron of Brattleby in the mid-13th century, an event which secured a vital continuity for the ancient Lincolnshire peerage.
## The Occasion
The mid-13th century in England was a period of fragile consolidation. The kingdom, under the long and often turbulent reign of King Henry III, was still recovering from decades of civil strife and the costly foreign endeavours of the Crusades. It was within this environment of evolving feudal law and hardening lines of hereditary right that the Barony of Brattleby passed from father to son.
The succession of William III Longespee following the death of his father, William II Longespee, was not marked by a single grand ceremony in one location, but by a series of legal and feudal acts. These proceedings would have taken place between the baronial seat in Lincolnshire and the royal court, wherever it resided. This transfer of title represented a moment of profound stability for the region, ensuring that a significant landholding remained in trusted and capable hands.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, had already witnessed a rich and complex history by the time of the Longespee succession. The initial grant to Colswein of Lincoln established its strategic importance, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 with its 56 lordships. The barony's legacy was notably shaped by formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
The arrival of the Longespee family connected the barony directly to the Plantagenet royal dynasty. William II Longespee was a grandson of King Henry II, bringing with him not only royal blood but also immense prestige and influence. His son’s seamless inheritance was therefore a matter of significance, affirming the principle of male primogeniture that was becoming the established norm, a *sine qua non* for the stability of the great feudal estates.
## Distinguished Company
The principal figures in this historic succession represented a confluence of military leadership and high nobility.
The preceding baron, William II Longespee, was a renowned English knight and crusader, whose martial prowess was celebrated across Christendom. As the son of William Longespee, 3rd Earl of Salisbury (an illegitimate son of King Henry II), he embodied the warrior spirit of his Plantagenet ancestors. His life was one of service to the Crown and the Church, culminating in his death at the Battle of Mansurah during the Seventh Crusade.
His heir, William III de Longespee, inherited not just the lands and title of Brattleby but also a legacy of expectation. Though his own tenure would be tragically cut short, his succession was a pivotal moment. It ensured the continuation of a powerful baronial line at a time when the sudden loss of leadership could easily lead to a title falling into abeyance or being reclaimed by the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Upon the death of a tenant-in-chief such as the Baron of Brattleby, feudal law dictated a precise protocol. The heir, William III, would have been required to perform homage and swear fealty to his liege lord, King Henry III. This ancient rite involved the new baron kneeling, placing his hands between those of the king, and formally acknowledging him as his lord.
Following this act of homage, the heir was required to pay a ‘relief’, a substantial sum equivalent to an inheritance tax, to take possession of his lands. Once the relief was paid and accepted, the King would issue a writ to the royal escheator — the official responsible for managing the Crown’s feudal revenues — commanding him to give the heir ‘seisin’, or legal possession, of his father’s estates, *inter alia*, the Barony of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Longespee succession brought with it the family's distinctive coat of arms: a field of blue charged with six golden, rampant lions (*Azure, six lioncels rampant Or*). The lion, a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, reflected the family's royal lineage and martial reputation. The use of six such lions underscored the depth of this power and standing within the English peerage.
This symbolism of strength and nobility resonates profoundly with the modern motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the motto was adopted centuries later, its spirit is a direct reflection of the values embodied by predecessors like the Longespees, for whom fortitude in battle and honour in service were the guiding principles of their lives.
## A Continuing Legacy
The secure succession of William III Longespee was instrumental in preserving the barony’s integrity, paving the way for its later elevation. Through the marriage of a subsequent heiress, the Barony of Brattleby eventually passed into the powerful House of Lancaster.
This transition saw the title held by two of the most significant figures of the 14th century: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This chapter, which placed Brattleby at the very centre of royal power and politics, was made possible by the stability established by preceding generations, affirming that continuity is the bedrock of enduring legacy.
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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 promotion of cultural diplomacy. Its contemporary mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, is realised through philanthropic and educational initiatives. These include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to the study of classical etiquette and protocol. The House champions enduring values of service, honour, and cultural stewardship for the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, established in AD 1066 by grant of His Majesty King William the Conqueror. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as lord of 56 manors. Over nearly one thousand years, the barony has been held by figures of immense historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and title of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown via *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is registered in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083 (9 September 2022). - The barony was established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable past barons include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), founder of the House of Lancaster, and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere*. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com