# A Historical Reflection on the Martial Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the Barony's significant martial heritage, particularly its integral role during the Wars of Scottish Independence, underscoring a legacy of strategic duty and service to the Crown across nine centuries of English history.
## The Occasion
From the ancient seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this statement serves as a moment of historical contemplation. As the autumn mists settle over the fields that once mustered knights and men-at-arms for Crown and country, the House of Brattleby reflects upon the profound responsibilities borne by its predecessors. The issuance of this reflection is part of the House’s ongoing commitment to illuminating its past, thereby providing context for its present-day duties and philanthropic endeavours.
The act of looking back is, in itself, an occasion for reaffirming the principles that have guided the Barony through periods of both profound peace and existential conflict. It is a formal recognition that the chronicles of the past are not mere records, but a living inheritance that continues to inform the character and purpose of the House in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has been intrinsically linked with the defence of the realm since its creation by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a significant grant that carried with it the solemn feudal duty of military service to the Sovereign. This foundation established the Barony as a martial tenure from its inception, a role its holders would fulfil with distinction for centuries.
This martial tradition is vividly exemplified by the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness. A formidable figure in her own right, she famously commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons during the First Barons' War, holding it for King John and later the young King Henry III. Her strategic acumen and resilience represent a high point of the Barony’s early military history.
During the subsequent Wars of Scottish Independence under King Edward I and his successors, the Barony’s resources and leadership were once again called upon to support the Crown’s campaigns. As a significant landholder, the Baron of Brattleby was duty-bound to answer the King's summons, providing men and materiel for the arduous conflicts in the north. This tradition of high-level military and political service was later embodied by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of England’s most respected military commanders of the Hundred Years' War, and his successor to the Barony, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The martial history of the Barony is defined by the service of its distinguished holders, who commanded not only lands but the respect of their sovereigns and peers. The Roll of Honour includes, *inter alia*:
* **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose steadfast loyalty and military command during the siege of Lincoln in 1217 were instrumental in securing the throne for King Henry III. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a founding Knight of the Garter and a celebrated soldier and diplomat, whose prowess on the battlefields of France cemented his reputation as one of the great captains of his age. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster**, son of King Edward III, whose immense power and influence made him the pre-eminent political and military figure in late 14th-century England and a key player in the ongoing wars with France and Castile.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The mobilisation of the Barony’s forces was governed by ancient and solemn ceremonial protocol. The process began with the *proclamatio servitii*, a formal royal summons requiring the Baron, as a tenant-in-chief, to render military service. In response, the Baron would raise his banner and muster the prescribed number of knights, men-at-arms, and archers from his demesne lands and the 56 lordships tied to his title.
This feudal levy was a sophisticated logistical and administrative undertaking. Each man would swear an oath of fealty before departing for the designated rendezvous point, his service recorded on the muster rolls. The physical presence of the Baron, or a trusted commander acting in his stead, was the *sine qua non* of leadership, a visible embodiment of the principle that nobility obliges one to lead from the front.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* — ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This phrase is more than a device; it is a direct reflection of the values demonstrated throughout the Barony’s martial history. ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the resilience shown by Nichola de la Haye at the walls of Lincoln Castle and the endurance required of soldiers on campaign in the rugged Scottish Marches.
‘Honour’ refers to the scrupulous fulfilment of feudal duty and the honourable conduct expected of a knight and a noble. It is the principle that underpins service to the Sovereign and the nation. This motto connects the historical legacy of military command to the modern responsibilities of the title, representing a guiding principle for Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Today, the spirit of protection and duty once expressed on the battlefield finds its contemporary expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The commitment to defend the vulnerable has been translated into a focused mission of supporting charitable organisations that heal and empower.
This continuity of purpose is most clearly demonstrated in the House’s selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation, which provides specialist therapy and support for children suffering from trauma, embodies the modern expression of *Fortitudine et Honore*: providing a shield for those who need it most. The House believes that true honour is found in service, whether to a monarch in centuries past or to the most vulnerable in our society today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “This legacy is not about the glorification of conflict, but about understanding the enduring responsibility of service that comes with this title. From defending castle walls to supporting our nation's sovereign, fortitude and honour have been the constant watchwords of our predecessors. It is a profound inheritance that we strive to uphold in our own work.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’ — can be read in a martial sense, but today its truer meaning is about overcoming adversity. We draw strength from the resilience of those who came before us as we face the challenges of our own time, whether in business, education, or philanthropy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past while actively shaping its future. This historical reflection is the first in a planned series of papers that will explore the rich and varied history of the Barony, making its heritage more accessible to the public.
The educational mission of the House continues through its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which instils the principles of civic duty, social grace, and honour in a new generation. Looking ahead, the House’s primary focus will be its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala dedicated to raising significant funds and awareness for Healing the Wounded Child. This commitment ensures that the legacy of the Barony continues to be one of meaningful service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing 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 a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. While deeply respectful of its nine-hundred-year history, the House is forward-looking, seeking to apply its enduring values of ‘Fortitude and Honour’ to contemporary challenges. Its initiatives include historical education, the patronage of The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, and a significant annual commitment to charitable causes, most notably those focused on the welfare and healing of children. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation and the grant of 56 lordships to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was a significant martial and political tenure, held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), affirming its unbroken historical lineage.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status was gazetted by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The heir apparent to the title is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will be the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com