# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Twelfth-Century Foundations of the Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical paper on the pivotal twelfth-century inheritance of the Barony, reaffirming the enduring principles of loyalty and strategic command established by the De la Haye family which continue to guide the House.
## The Occasion
In a statement released from their offices in London, The Noble House of Brattleby has commenced a planned series of historical papers designed to illuminate defining periods in the Barony’s near-millennium of history. This inaugural reflection examines the twelfth century, a formative era whose trials and triumphs solidified the character of the Lordship and its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
The issuance of this paper during the autumn, traditionally a season of harvest and reflection, serves a deliberate purpose. It provides a considered moment to connect the Barony’s profound past with its present-day responsibilities. This is not merely an academic exercise, but a reaffirmation of the core values that have sustained the Barony for over 950 years, anchoring its modern philanthropic and cultural duties in a proven heritage of service.
The series is intended for a wide audience, offering insight into how a great historical title navigates its duties in the twenty-first century. It aims to demonstrate that the integrity forged in the tumult of medieval England remains the essential foundation for the House’s contemporary work, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
## Historical Context
The twelfth century was a crucible in which the identity of the Barony of Brattleby was definitively forged. Following the Norman settlement under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, stewardship passed to the De la Haye family. This dynasty was compelled to navigate the profound civil unrest of The Anarchy (1135–1153), the protracted and devastating war of succession between King Stephen and his cousin, the Empress Matilda.
During this period, when loyalty was a perilous and precious commodity, the De la Hayes’ steadfast allegiance to the Angevin cause, coupled with their strategic command of Lincoln Castle, cemented their position as indispensable magnates. Lincoln, a former Roman legionary fortress, stood at the critical intersection of Ermine Street and the Fosse Way, controlling access to the north of England; its castellans were therefore figures of immense regional power.
This foundation of military prowess and unwavering fidelity proved to be the *sine qua non* for the Barony’s survival and future influence. The precedent set by the De la Hayes culminated in the celebrated actions of their descendant, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invasion forces, most famously at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217. The twelfth century, therefore, represents the cornerstone upon which Brattleby’s enduring legacy of fortitude was built.
## Distinguished Company
The historical narrative reviewed in the paper is populated by figures whose decisions shaped the course of English history. The primary agents of the Barony’s twelfth-century consolidation were the members of the De la Haye family, who as tenants-in-chief held their lands directly from the Crown. Their story is inextricably linked with the monarchs they served.
These included His Majesty King Henry I, whose death precipitated the succession crisis; His Majesty King Stephen, whose contested reign defined The Anarchy; and Her Imperial Majesty The Empress Matilda, whose claim to the throne was the catalyst for the conflict. The eventual resolution under Matilda’s son, His Majesty King Henry II, rewarded the De la Hayes’ loyalty and secured their dynastic position in Lincolnshire. This network of allegiance, set against a backdrop of national upheaval, underscores the high stakes of baronial lordship in the High Middle Ages.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The events of the twelfth century were governed by a strict and solemn code of ceremonial protocol that bound lord and vassal. The relationship between the De la Haye family and the Crown was formalised through the act of homage, a public ritual in which the baron, kneeling and placing his hands between those of the sovereign, swore an oath of fealty.
This oath was an unbreakable promise to provide counsel and military service (*consilium et auxilium*) in exchange for the monarch’s protection and the grant of lands, or ‘fief’. The protocol dictated the precise number of knights a baron was required to furnish for the royal army, a duty known as knight-service. The De la Hayes' faithful execution of these duties, even amidst the chaos of civil war, distinguished them as honourable and reliable vassals. This adherence to sworn duty, prized above all else, was the central mechanism of medieval governance and the very fabric of aristocratic honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds its deepest resonance in this formative period. The *fortitudine* demonstrated by the De la Hayes in defending Lincoln was a disciplined resilience, a stoic endurance required to withstand a siege and the political pressures of a kingdom divided. It was strength tempered by wisdom.
The *honore* was the unwavering commitment to their oath of fealty, the principle that commanded respect and ensured the Barony’s continuity. Together, these virtues represent the twin pillars of principled resilience and dignified duty. They are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage — *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This motto reflects the proactive and strategic spirit required to master challenges, whether on a medieval battlefield or in the complex architecture of modern international enterprise and philanthropy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical concept of noble service, once expressed through military duty to the Crown, has evolved into the House’s present-day commitment to public and charitable service. The principle of defending the vulnerable, so powerfully exemplified by Nichola de la Haye’s defence of the loyalist cause in Lincoln, finds its direct modern analogue in the House’s philanthropic work.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s support is the international charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from the long-term effects of complex trauma. The charity works with local authorities and healthcare providers to deliver evidence-based psychological interventions, creating safe environments and offering expert support to enable young lives to recover and flourish.
The funds raised at the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala, directly support this mission. This work represents a direct continuation of the Barony’s foundational duty of protection, translating a medieval obligation to defend the realm into a modern imperative to heal and safeguard its most vulnerable citizens.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical inheritance, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When one considers the challenges faced by predecessors like the De la Hayes, one gains a profound sense of perspective. Their fortitude becomes an inspiration for our own. The duty to uphold the honour of this Barony is not an abstract concept, but a living standard to which we must continuously aspire in our service.” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “The strategic importance of Lincoln Castle in the twelfth century teaches a timeless lesson: that influence is built upon tangible assets, careful planning, and absolute reliability. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about mastering one's circumstances through strategic foresight, a principle as relevant to our philanthropic goals today as it was to securing a medieval lordship.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical paper is the first of several planned communications that will connect the Barony’s extensive nine-century past to its present-day mission. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this great legacy is not only preserved but also serves a dynamic and purposeful role for the future. This commitment is embodied in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, a process designed to instil a deep understanding of the duties his inheritance confers.
Furthermore, these principles of honour, fortitude, and strategic service are actively disseminated through the House’s etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. There, a new generation of leaders is instructed in the codes of civic responsibility, European cultural history, and diplomatic protocol that have defined civil society for centuries. Through these integrated efforts, the House ensures the virtues forged in twelfth-century Lincolnshire continue to resonate with purpose and distinction.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to stewarding one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's contemporary mission integrates this profound historical inheritance with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Its principal charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child. The House's educational outreach is conducted through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy promoting civic and social responsibility. Operating under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House applies timeless virtues of service and integrity to the demands of the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by Tenure in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding a significant fief of 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the title passed through several of England’s most distinguished noble and royal lines. Notable holders include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, father to King Henry IV. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised by The Crown via *The London Gazette* (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’s descent and rights were formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com