# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge
**LONDON, 16 March 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the 702nd anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge, reflecting on the 1322 engagement that profoundly shaped the Barony’s succession and underscored the complex loyalties of the medieval era, a defining moment in its nine-century history.
## The Occasion
On a solemn March morning, within the ancient bounds of the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, the anniversary was observed with quiet contemplation. This day serves not as a celebration, but as a moment of historical reflection, dedicated to understanding the intricate web of duty, allegiance, and consequence that has defined the stewardship of the Barony for nearly a millennium.
The occasion provides an opportunity to reconnect with a pivotal episode in the fortunes of the House. It was a time when the actions of its holders reverberated across the kingdom, influencing the very course of the English monarchy during the turbulent reign of King Edward II.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Boroughbridge, fought on 16 March 1322, was the brutal culmination of the baronial rebellion known as the Despenser War. Here, the forces of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster—then Lord of Brattleby through his marriage to Alice de Lacy—were decisively defeated by a smaller royalist army commanded by Sir Andrew Harclay. Lancaster’s subsequent capture and execution for treason marked a dramatic turning point for the Crown and for the Barony itself.
This event is but one chapter in a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, and its initial holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The history of Brattleby has since been interwoven with figures of national importance, from the steadfast royalist Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, to the great magnates Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The formal observance of the anniversary was a private matter for the family, led by the current custodians of the title. The reflection was headed by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby.
They were joined by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The occasion served as an integral part of the heir’s education in the history and responsibilities he will one day inherit, ensuring a seamless transmission of knowledge and duty from one generation to the next.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The day was not marked by public ceremony but by a private and scholarly reflection, a protocol befitting a moment of such historical gravity. The order of the day included the careful examination of period charters and manorial rolls held within the family’s archives, allowing for a direct tactical and genealogical connection to the past.
Sober day dress was observed, reflecting the contemplative nature of the anniversary. The focus remained squarely on the historical record, fostering a deeper understanding of the feudal obligations and personal pressures that governed the lives of their predecessors, a practice *sine qua non* for responsible stewardship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1322 resonate deeply with the House’s guiding principles, encapsulated in its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Thomas of Lancaster certainly acted with fortitude, or boldness, in challenging his king; yet his rebellion was ultimately judged a failure of honour and loyalty, the paramount virtues of the baronage. This historical lesson serves as a constant reminder that strength must always be tempered by duty.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of Boroughbridge, Thomas of Lancaster’s military defeat was absolute, leading directly to his death. The motto reinforces the idea that true victory is not merely about prevailing in conflict, but about living with purpose, integrity, and honour—a conquest of the self.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical commemoration carries no direct philanthropic component, the lessons drawn from such periods of civil strife inform the House's present-day charitable focus. The instability and suffering caused by political conflict in the 14th century serve as a powerful analogue to the personal turmoil faced by vulnerable young people today.
This understanding underpins the family’s commitment to its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care to children and young people affected by trauma. The House directs proceeds from its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, to support this vital work, translating historical awareness into tangible, modern action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To look back at Boroughbridge is to understand the fragility of power and the immense resilience required of those, like Alice de Lacy, caught in the tumult. It is our duty not merely to remember these events, but to learn from them—to appreciate the stability and peace we now enjoy, and to act as responsible custodians for the future.” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the legacy of the battle: > “The story of Thomas of Lancaster is a poignant reminder that ambition without honour leads to ruin. It reinforces for us that true leadership lies in service, not in self-aggrandisement. Our family’s commitment, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is our guide in all things, ensuring our legacy is one of construction, not conflict.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of Boroughbridge is part of a wider commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to education and historical preservation. These principles are actively passed to the next generation through Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring the nine-century-long chain of stewardship remains unbroken.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to use its unique historical position to inform its contemporary activities. This includes the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family, where lessons in history, diplomacy, and civic virtue are integrated to cultivate a modern sense of service and honour in its patrons. The past, for the House of Brattleby, is not a foreign country; it is the foundation upon which the future is diligently built.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to the stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. The House champions the preservation of its historic titles and heritage while engaging in modern philanthropic and educational endeavours. Its activities, including the Annual Winter Banquet for charity and the etiquette-focused Brattleby Club, reflect a core mission to uphold the principles of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House blends its deep English roots with a Continental perspective, fostering cultural dialogue and promoting the timeless values of duty, service, and civility in the 21st century.
**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, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as lord of 56 manors. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The unbroken chain of succession and the rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - In the *Domesday Book* (1086), the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com