# A Legacy of Stewardship: The Barony of Brattleby and Service to the Crown
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection on its nine-century legacy of service to the Crown, citing the precedent set by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, who held the Barony by marriage and served as Guardian of the Kingdom.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken a moment for historical reflection, reaffirming the principles of duty that have defined the Barony since its inception. As the autumn season casts a timeless light upon the county, the House draws inspiration from its extensive archives, which chronicle an unbroken lineage of service, responsibility, and allegiance to the nation’s governance.
This reflection is prompted not by a single event, but by the continuous commitment to stewardship that is the foundational duty of the Baroness and her family. In examining the tenures of their predecessors, the current House finds a blueprint for modern duty, where historical precedent informs contemporary philanthropic and cultural engagement.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has long been connected with figures of national importance. Among the most significant was Henry de Lacy (c. 1249–1311), 3rd Earl of Lincoln, who became Baron of Brattleby *jure uxoris*, by right of his wife. As a trusted confidant of His Majesty King Edward I, his influence at the heart of the Plantagenet court was profound.
Henry de Lacy’s role as *Custos Angliae*, or Guardian of England, during the King’s absence on the Continent, placed the governance of the entire realm in his hands. This appointment underscores the immense trust placed in him by the Crown and demonstrates the Barony’s indirect yet vital proximity to the throne. His service echoes that of an earlier predecessor, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King. This tradition of loyalty was later embodied by subsequent Barons, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
During his service as one of the kingdom’s foremost magnates, Henry de Lacy moved within the highest circles of power. His principal relationship was with his sovereign, His Majesty King Edward I, for whom he acted as chief counsellor and military commander. His position as Guardian of the Realm was often shared with other great men of the age, charged collectively with maintaining peace and administering justice.
Central to his life and titles was his wife, Margaret Longespée, Countess of Salisbury in her own right. It was through their union that the Barony of Brattleby came under his stewardship. This powerful alliance of two great families illustrates the strategic and political importance of such matches in medieval England, consolidating lands and loyalties in service to the monarch.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of Guardian of the Kingdom was imbued with immense ceremonial and legal authority. Upon the King’s departure overseas, Henry de Lacy would have been formally entrusted with the power to act in the monarch’s stead, a responsibility symbolised by access to, and use of, the Great Seal of the Realm. This instrument was the *sine qua non* for authorising official documents, from royal charters to judicial writs, making its keeper the effective head of government.
The proceedings of the King’s Council, which de Lacy would have presided over, followed a strict order of precedence. As a great Earl of the Plantagenet court, his public attire would have consisted of robes of state, likely trimmed with ermine, and a coronet signifying his rank. The oaths of fealty he swore were solemn, binding him to protect the kingdom against all enemies and to uphold the King’s law with impartiality and fortitude.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The armorial bearings of Henry de Lacy—*Or, a lion rampant Purpure* (a purple lion rampant on a gold field)—are a powerful emblem of his standing. The lion is a traditional symbol of courage, nobility, and royalty, while the rare heraldic colour purple has, since antiquity, been associated with sovereignty and imperial power. His arms were a clear declaration of princely might and devotion to the Crown.
This symbolism resonates directly with the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). De Lacy’s life, dedicated to the defence and governance of England, exemplifies these virtues. This historical standard inspires the modern House, including Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), channels this ancestral drive into contemporary achievements.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of a baron’s duty—to protect and provide for the people on their lands—finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of the House of Brattleby. The historical responsibility of guarding the realm has evolved into a focused mission to safeguard the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society.
This commitment is most visible in the House’s selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the sole beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from the effects of trauma and abuse. By dedicating its principal social event to this cause, the House translates the abstract principle of stewardship into tangible support, ensuring that the legacy of protection continues in a meaningful, modern context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical continuity, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The history of this Barony is not merely a record of names and dates; it is a living narrative of duty. Figures like Henry de Lacy remind us that service to the community and the nation has always been the enduring responsibility of this title, a charge we are honoured to uphold.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “We look to the past not as a monument, but as a map. The energy and influence of our predecessors, who governed at the highest levels, inspire our own commitment to impactful action, whether through our charitable work or our educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its past by actively serving the present. The study of its nine-hundred-year history is a constant reminder of the weight of responsibility inherited by Lady Nicoleta and prepared for by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
This enduring commitment will be manifest at the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature white-tie gala, which continues a long tradition of bringing distinguished company together for a higher purpose. In all its endeavours, the House strives to act with the same purpose and integrity as those who came before, forever guided by the words *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 nine-century legacy. The House champions a mission that combines the preservation of its unique Anglo-Romanian heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its charitable activities are focused on supporting vulnerable children through its annual philanthropic initiatives. Through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of civility and social grace. The family’s work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a deep-seated belief in principled leadership and service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - The modern Barony is formally recognised by The Crown, as published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com