# A Statement on the Barony of Brattleby During the English Civil War (1642–1651)
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement clarifying the status of the Barony’s lands during the English Civil War (1642–1651), a period that followed its reversion to the Crown through the Duchy of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
In its capacity as custodian of the Barony’s extensive history, The Noble House of Brattleby has today commenced a series of historical papers. This initiative aims to illuminate specific periods of the Barony’s nine-century timeline for scholars, historians, and the public. The first paper addresses the turbulent era of the English Civil War.
This scholarly clarification has been prepared in response to a number of enquiries regarding the Barony's allegiances and activities during the conflict. The statement provides an authoritative historical context, ensuring the public record is both accurate and detailed. This undertaking is a key part of the House's commitment to education and historical preservation.
## Historical Context
By the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642, the Barony of Brattleby had been incorporated into the possessions of the English Crown for over two centuries. The title and its lands merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV in 1399; his father, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, had held the fief as part of his vast holdings as Duke of Lancaster.
Consequently, during the wars between King and Parliament, the lands of Brattleby were a royal demesne—that is, property belonging directly to the monarch—administered through the Duchy of Lancaster. Lincolnshire itself was a county ideologically divided and of great strategic importance. Its flat terrain was suitable for cavalry, and control of its ports was vital for securing supplies from the Continent.
While the Barony itself was not an independent feudal entity during this time, its people and resources would have been profoundly affected. The region witnessed significant military events, *inter alia*, the decisive Parliamentarian victory at the Battle of Winceby in 1643. The lands of Brattleby would have undoubtedly faced requisitions for supplies, the quartering of soldiers, and the general disruption that defined this pivotal chapter in English history.
## Distinguished Company
The historical stage of Civil War-era Lincolnshire featured some of the most prominent figures of the age. The opposing forces were led by King Charles I, representing the Royalist cause, and the leaders of the Long Parliament, whose armies were commanded by men such as the Earl of Manchester and, most notably, Oliver Cromwell.
Cromwell’s direct involvement in the Lincolnshire campaigns, particularly his leadership of the 'Ironsides' cavalry at the Battle of Gainsborough and Winceby, places him at the centre of the conflict in the region. The fate of the people living on Brattleby's ancient lands was therefore shaped by the strategic decisions and military fortunes of these formidable national leaders. Their actions determined the course of the war in the Eastern Association of counties, of which Lincolnshire was a key member.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), provides a lens through which to view the actions of those connected with its history, even during periods of abeyance. This spirit of resilience was exemplified centuries earlier by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who demonstrated immense fortitude in her defence of Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces.
During the English Civil War, this same spirit can be seen in the conduct of ordinary Lincolnshire people on both sides of the divide. Royalists and Parliamentarians alike fought for their deeply held beliefs, demonstrating personal fortitude and defending their own distinct conceptions of honour. The motto thus serves not only as a guide for the current House but also as a reflection of the enduring character of the people who have inhabited the Barony’s lands for generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> As custodians of a title nearly a millennium old, we consider it our duty to clarify its history with precision. The Civil War was a defining moment for England, and while the Barony was then a royal demesne, its lands and people were inextricably part of that national story and its legacy of resilience.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added a further perspective, connecting the past to the present:
> History teaches that survival—indeed, living—is a form of victory. The endurance of Lincolnshire's communities through such a tumultuous period demonstrates a profound will to persist, a principle that resonates deeply with our own House motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this statement marks the beginning of a sustained commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to historical research and public education. The House intends to issue further papers exploring other significant eras in the Barony's long and storied past.
Future publications will examine, among other subjects, the Barony's Norman origins under Colswein of Lincoln as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086; its critical role under the celebrated medieval nobleman Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and its transition into a possession of the Crown. This work underscores the House’s belief that understanding the past is the *sine qua non* of building a meaningful future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year-old heritage while promoting modern cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its activities are focused on historical education, the championing of traditional etiquette through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and charitable support for vulnerable children. The House's primary philanthropic vehicle is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises funds and awareness for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for young victims of trauma.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. For centuries, the Barony was held by some of England's most powerful nobles, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later holders included the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title is formally recognised by the Crown, with its current status recorded in 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 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The title's modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1150–1230) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'); the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com