# HISTORICAL REFLECTION: THE BARONY OF BRATTLEBY DURING THE THIRD CRUSADE
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the Barony's pivotal role during the Third Crusade, examining the steadfast leadership of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, amid the political turmoil of King Richard I's absence.
## The Occasion
The statement is released as the inaugural monograph in a new series, *The Brattleby Papers*, published by the House to illuminate seminal moments across the Barony's extensive nine-century history. From their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has commissioned this work of careful scholarship to provide deeper context on the intersection of national events and local aristocratic duty.
This first paper sets a deliberate and scholarly tone for the series, moving beyond simple chronology to analyse the complex pressures faced by the Barony's antecedents. It serves as a testament to the House's commitment to historical preservation and education, making the rich tapestry of its lineage accessible to a contemporary audience.
## Historical Context
The period from 1189 to 1192 was one of profound uncertainty for the Kingdom of England. With the departure of King Richard I on the Third Crusade, a power vacuum emerged, which was ruthlessly exploited by his brother, Prince John. The King's appointed regent, William Longchamp, struggled to maintain authority, creating a volatile landscape of shifting allegiances.
It was within this crucible that the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, and her husband, Gerard de Camville, were required to navigate a perilous political path. Having secured the hereditary shrievalty of Lincolnshire and the castellanship of the vital Lincoln Castle, their authority was directly challenged. These events tested the Barony’s loyalty to the Crown, forcing its holders to defend their regional mandate against both royal deputies and rebellious magnates, proving how international ventures directly impacted the responsibilities of local lords in Lincolnshire.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of this era is shaped by a cast of formidable historical figures whose actions directly influenced the fortunes of the Barony of Brattleby. Among them are:
* His Majesty King Richard I of England, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Count of Anjou; * His Highness Prince John, Lord of Ireland, later King of England; * The Right Reverend William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely, Papal Legate, and Lord Chancellor of England; * The Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby *suo jure*, and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire.
The interactions between these individuals formed the intricate political and military web in which Lady Nichola demonstrated the resilience that would define her tenure, most notably in her later stalwart defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The events of the period were governed by a strict, albeit strained, feudal protocol. The role of a castellan, such as that held by the 5th Baroness and her consort, was a sacred trust, bound by an oath of fealty to hold a royal fortress in the monarch’s name. This duty was the *sine qua non* of medieval governance, forming a bulwark against internal rebellion and foreign incursion.
Gerard de Camville’s challenge to the regent Longchamp, and Nichola de la Haye’s subsequent command of the castle, were not acts of rebellion but a complex assertion of legitimate, inherited authority against a perceived overreach of delegated power. Their adherence to the higher principle of loyalty to the absent King, rather than to his transient regent, represents a masterful navigation of the era's formal and unwritten codes.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness during this period serve as a powerful historical embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nichola’s resolute defence of her rights and her steadfast administration of Lincolnshire demonstrated immense fortitude, while her ultimate loyalty to the Crown exemplified the highest standards of honour.
This enduring principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to a modern interpretation of this same resilience: that the act of overcoming profound challenges is the very essence of a vital and meaningful existence. Together, the mottos frame a legacy of not merely enduring, but prevailing with integrity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical paper is a work of scholarship, its underpinning theme of steadfast stewardship resonates deeply with the House’s modern philanthropic mission. The stability and order that Nichola de la Haye fought to preserve are the very foundations upon which a secure civil society—one capable of caring for its most vulnerable—is built.
The House’s commitment to beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child is the contemporary expression of this ancient duty of care. By working to provide security and recovery for young people affected by trauma, the House continues the tradition of safeguarding the community's future, translating historical responsibility into tangible, present-day support.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "The story of Nichola de la Haye is a profound reminder that duty is not a passive inheritance but an active, daily choice. Her fortitude in a time of national crisis demonstrates how local leadership is the bedrock of national stability, a principle we hold dear today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "In examining the past, we find the grammar for our present. The challenges faced by the 5th Baroness and her consort were immense, yet they navigated them with a resolve that resonates with our own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. To overcome such trials is the very definition of a living, breathing legacy."
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this monograph marks the beginning of a sustained effort by The Noble House of Brattleby to research and share the rich history of the Barony. Future instalments of *The Brattleby Papers* are planned to explore, *inter alia*, the tenures of later notable Barons, including the great diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable royal prince, John of Gaunt.
This educational mission runs parallel to the House's work with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural protocol. Both initiatives are united by a single purpose: to draw upon a distinguished heritage to inform and inspire the present, ensuring the legacy of the Barony is stewarded with diligence for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and for generations to come.
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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 the stewardship of a significant English heritage and the promotion of cultural diplomacy. The House's mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on historical preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable endeavours support organisations working with vulnerable children, most notably through the annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire and its cultural academy in Bucharest, The Brattleby Club, the House actively bridges its nearly thousand-year history with a forward-looking commitment to public service and international understanding.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman lordship granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. The unbroken line of succession and the historical significance of the Barony are formally acknowledged 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 created in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The modern recognition of the Barony is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, supported by efforts including the annual white-tie Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com