# A Legacy of Governance: The Noble House of Brattleby on the Continuity of Duty from the Anarchy to the Present Day
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical dispatch elucidating the pivotal role of the Barony in English feudal governance, drawing a direct and documented line from the 12th-century stewardship of its predecessors to its modern-day commitments of service.
## The Occasion
The publication of this scholarly dispatch arises from the House of Brattleby’s ongoing commitment to historical preservation and academic collaboration. Rather than a singular event, it represents a moment of curated reflection, drawing upon the extensive archives maintained at the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. These archives serve not as a dormant collection, but as a living repository of the United Kingdom’s national story.
This communication serves to illuminate the profound and continuous thread of duty that defines the Barony. It underscores a central tenet of the House: that a thorough understanding of the past is the *sine qua non* for responsible stewardship in the present and for safeguarding its legacy for the future.
## Historical Context
The dispatch centres upon the tenure of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, who served as Constable of Lincoln Castle in the late 12th century. This appointment was no mere sinecure; in an era of political turmoil, the castle was one of the kingdom’s foremost strategic fortresses. His command demonstrated not only his personal capabilities but also the considerable influence of the de la Haye family within Lincolnshire and the wider realm.
This legacy of command was most heroically embodied by his daughter and successor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A formidable figure, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel and French forces during the First Barons' War, an act of fortitude that proved critical to the security of the Plantagenet throne. This tradition of service extends back to the Norman Conquest, with the Barony's origins recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attributes 56 lordships in Lincolnshire to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Later holders of the Barony, including the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, further cemented its connection to the very heart of English power.
## Distinguished Company
The research underpinning this dispatch did not occur in isolation. Over the years, the Brattleby archives have become a resource of national importance, regularly consulted by a distinguished company of scholars. The Noble House of Brattleby acknowledges with gratitude the contributions of academics from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and researchers from The British Library.
Their scholarly rigour in examining *inter alia* the Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records has been instrumental in verifying the continuity of the Barony’s involvement in the governance of the realm. This collaborative spirit ensures that the heritage of Brattleby is shared and understood well beyond its own demesne.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such a significant archive is governed by a protocol as meticulous as it is discreet. Access is granted to accredited scholars and historians by formal application, ensuring the preservation of fragile manuscripts that chart over nine hundred years of history. Every document’s provenance is fastidiously maintained, honouring the unbroken chain of custody.
This formal process reflects the House’s deep reverence for its past. The very act of cataloguing and conserving these records is a ceremony of remembrance, a quiet and consistent ritual that honours the obligations and achievements of each of the Barony’s preceding holders.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are enshrined in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* — ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. These are not merely words on a coat of arms; they are the guiding philosophy inherited and upheld by each generation. ‘Fortitude’ is exemplified by the unyielding courage of Nichola de la Haye at the walls of Lincoln Castle.
‘Honour’ speaks to the integrity and sense of duty demonstrated through centuries of public service, from the feudal obligations recorded in medieval charters to the present day. This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which is interpreted within the House as the will to overcome modern challenges through purposeful action and service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical obligation of governance and protection, once fulfilled through military and feudal means, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The same sense of duty that compelled predecessors to defend the realm now inspires a dedication to supporting the vulnerable.
The House’s principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraiser for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and adversity, a mission that resonates deeply with the House’s foundational principle of providing sanctuary and strength.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “When we read of the immense responsibilities shouldered by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, we are reminded that our role is one of stewardship. Our primary duty is to honour that legacy, not just by preserving the records of their deeds, but by emulating their spirit of service in our own time. *Fortitudine et Honore* is a charge we take to heart every day.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The thread connecting an entry in the Domesday Book to a modern philanthropic effort is the unwavering concept of duty. This dispatch is a testament to that continuity. It shows how the structure of responsibility has evolved, but the fundamental commitment to one’s community and country remains unchanged and is a challenge we are privileged to accept.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking to the future, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to broadening access to its historical legacy. Plans are underway for a programme of digitisation, which will make key documents from the archives available to a global scholarly audience. This will be complemented by a series of publications and lectures exploring the Barony’s unique contribution to British history.
These values of heritage, etiquette, and civic duty are also promoted internationally through The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, with its seat in Bucharest, serves to impart the timeless principles of honour and social grace to a new generation, ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby continues to inspire and to serve.
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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 a modern mission of cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House actively manages its nine-century heritage, ensuring its extensive archives are a resource for national scholarship. Its contemporary focus is on supporting charitable organisations that provide care and healing to vulnerable children, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House also promotes the timeless values of etiquette, honour, and civic responsibility, bridging its distinguished past with a purposeful future. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, 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. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through families of national historic importance. Notable holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The modern succession and rights of The Noble House of Brattleby to the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past Barons include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com