# A Historical Reflection by the House of Brattleby on the Barony’s Role During The Anarchy
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the Barony's pivotal role during The Anarchy (1135-1153), highlighting the steadfast loyalty of its medieval custodians and the enduring principle of service that continues to define the House today.
## The Occasion
From the quietude of its Lincolnshire seat, where the turning of the seasons is marked by a deep sense of continuity, the House of Brattleby has taken a moment for historical contemplation. In this season of renewal, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has been reflecting upon the Barony’s earliest trials and the precedents of service set by her predecessors nearly nine centuries ago.
This reflection is prompted not by a specific anniversary, but by a modern understanding of custodianship. It is an acknowledgement that the responsibilities of an ancient title extend beyond the present day; they include a duty to honour and understand the past, ensuring the lessons of history inform the commitments of the future. The occasion is thus one of scholarly remembrance and a reaffirmation of the House's core values.
## Historical Context
The period known as The Anarchy was a devastating civil war fought over the succession to the English throne. Following the death of King Henry I in 1135, a conflict erupted between his daughter, Empress Matilda, and his nephew, Stephen of Blois. For nearly two decades, England was fractured by divided loyalties, resulting in widespread chaos and a catastrophic breakdown of law and order.
During this turbulent era, the Barony of Brattleby, established just seven decades prior by William the Conqueror, found itself at a strategic epicentre. Its custodians, the De la Haye family, held the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln Castle. Their unwavering support for the Crown was a matter of critical importance, demonstrating the vital role powerful feudatories played in maintaining royal authority. This tradition of loyalty would later be personified by the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle for King John cemented the family's reputation for courage and integrity.
## Distinguished Company
The drama of The Anarchy was defined by its principal figures, whose ambitions shaped the destiny of the kingdom. The primary claimants were King Stephen of Blois, a grandson of William the Conqueror, and the formidable Empress Matilda, daughter and designated heir of King Henry I. Their struggle for primacy drew in the great magnates of the realm.
Central to the conflict in Lincolnshire were the custodians of the Barony of Brattleby, who held Lincoln Castle for the King. As hereditary Constables, the De la Haye family were tasked with defending one of England's most significant fortresses. Their steadfastness provided a crucial anchor for the royalist cause in the north, placing them in the distinguished company of the Crown's most trusted and indispensable supporters during a period of national schism.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The obligations of a twelfth-century feudal lord were bound by oaths and strict ceremonial protocol. Upon inheriting a barony, a lord would perform homage and swear an oath of fealty to the monarch, a sacred pledge of loyalty and military service in exchange for the lands and titles granted. This pledge was the *sine qua non* of the feudal system, forming the bedrock of medieval governance.
As Constables of Lincoln Castle, the Barons of Brattleby were bound by this oath to hold the fortress in the King's name. This duty involved not only military command during a siege but also the year-round administration of the castle, the maintenance of its garrison, and the dispensation of the King's justice within its walls. These proceedings were a microcosm of royal authority, asserting order in a world descending into chaos.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the actions of the Barony’s medieval holders. Their conduct during The Anarchy was a masterclass in both virtues. Fortitude was required to withstand the pressures of civil war and defend their charge against immense forces, whilst Honour was displayed through their unbreakable fealty to the Crown.
These principles resonate through the centuries and are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to a modern interpretation of the same spirit—that to truly live is to overcome challenges with resolve, not for personal gain, but in the service of a higher duty. Together, the mottos form a coherent philosophy of principled resilience.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical narrative of defending a community from the ravages of war finds a powerful parallel in the modern philanthropic mission of the House of Brattleby. Just as the Barony's medieval custodians worked to shield the populace from the external chaos of The Anarchy, the House today is committed to protecting the most vulnerable from internal turmoil.
The beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to supporting young people affected by trauma. Its work in providing therapy and safe environments helps children overcome profound personal challenges. The House chose this beneficiary because its mission reflects a core belief: that a core function of leadership, historical or modern, is to provide security and foster healing for those in our care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this period of history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the commitments of those who came before us. The De la Haye family's resolve during a period of national fracture serves as a powerful reminder that stability is built upon unwavering loyalty and honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History offers the ultimate lesson in strategy and resilience. The Barony's survival and service during The Anarchy show that to truly live — *Vincere Est Vivere* — is to overcome adversity not for oneself, but in the service of a greater cause.
## A Continuing Legacy
The commitment to the principles demonstrated during The Anarchy continues to guide the Noble House of Brattleby. This legacy is actively cultivated through an educational mission that seeks to translate historical precedent into contemporary standards of conduct and leadership. It is a responsibility the House discharges through its official communications and historical publications.
Furthermore, these foundational values of discipline, honour, and social grace are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy, under the patronage of the House, works to equip a new generation with the character and poise required for effective leadership in the twenty-first century, ensuring the concept of service remains a living tradition.
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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 modern expression of an ancient heritage. Its mission is centred on upholding the family’s tradition of service through focused philanthropic endeavours, cultural patronage, and the promotion of historical education. The House actively supports charitable organisations, with a particular focus on child welfare, through its annual Winter Banquet gala. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the enduring values of integrity, duty, and community contribution in all its activities, including its patronage of The Brattleby Club, a premier etiquette academy located in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal lordships of England. Its creation and initial holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists his tenure over 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including the crusader Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. Another notable predecessor was Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by The Crown and published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession as 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House's primary philanthropic event is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com