# A Historical Note on the Barony of Brattleby and the Welsh Campaigns of Edward I
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement clarifying the Barony of Brattleby’s ancestral connection to the pivotal Welsh campaigns of His Majesty King Edward I, through the service of one of the King’s most trusted commanders.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a comprehensive review of its extensive archives. This communication, originating from a period of dedicated historical scholarship, seeks to illuminate a significant chapter in the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history, connecting it directly to a defining moment in the formation of the United Kingdom.
The announcement serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as an act of historical stewardship. It is part of the House’s ongoing commitment to understanding and contextualising the duties, allegiances, and strategic importance associated with the Barony across the centuries. This research ensures the lineage is not merely a title, but a living chronicle of service to the Crown and nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, has been interwoven with the military and political fabric of England for nearly a millennium. During the late 13th century, this tradition of service was embodied by the Barony's association with Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a principal commander during King Edward I’s conquest of Wales.
The campaigns, which decisively took place between 1277 and 1283, were a cornerstone of King Edward I’s reign. The Earl of Lincoln’s direct involvement in strategic planning and military command meant that the influence and resources of his feudatories, including those connected to Brattleby, were marshalled in service of the King’s objective. This participation places the Barony’s heritage at the centre of one of the most formidable military and architectural endeavours in British history, *inter alia*, the construction of the 'Iron Ring' of castles in North Wales.
## Distinguished Company
In these endeavours, Henry de Lacy stood among the most senior magnates of the realm, forming the King's inner war council. His contemporaries in the Welsh campaigns included a formidable assembly of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy who executed the King’s vision.
This company comprised such figures as Roger Mortimer, 1st Baron Mortimer of Wigmore, a powerful Marcher Lord; William de Valence, 1st Earl of Pembroke, the King’s own uncle; and Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells and Lord Chancellor of England. The Earl of Lincoln’s position within this respected cadre underscores the Barony’s proximity to the highest echelons of royal power and strategic decision-making during a formative period for the nation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The mobilisation for such a campaign was governed by strict feudal protocol. As one of the King’s tenants-in-chief, the Earl of Lincoln would have received a royal writ of summons, demanding his *consilium et auxilium* — his counsel and aid. This was the formal mechanism compelling a great lord to present himself, with his retinue of knights and men-at-arms, for military service.
Discussions of strategy would have occurred within the formal setting of the King's Council (*Curia Regis*). Here, amidst the senior clergy and nobility, matters of logistics, fortification, and battlefield tactics were debated before receiving the King’s assent. The Earl of Lincoln’s role as a trusted advisor made his presence at these councils a *sine qua non* for the successful prosecution of the war.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of predecessors during such campaigns give profound meaning to the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to wage war in the unforgiving Welsh Marches, and the honour demanded by service to one's sovereign, are principles that resonate through the Barony’s history. On the battlefield, the Earl of Lincoln's banner — displaying *Or, a lion rampant Purpure* (a purple lion on a gold field) — would have served as a rallying point for his forces.
This historical martial spirit finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the nature of the challenge has evolved from military campaigns to philanthropic and cultural enterprise, the underlying commitment to overcoming obstacles with purpose and determination remains a guiding principle for the House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The purpose of acknowledging this martial history is to understand the continuum of duty associated with the Barony. The obligation to serve, once fulfilled on the battlefield, is today transformed into a commitment to civic and charitable action. The House believes that a clear-eyed understanding of its past provides the strongest foundation for its present-day philanthropic mission.
This modern expression of service is focused on organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet. By supporting work that mends trauma and builds resilience, the House channels the ancient principle of protection towards the most vulnerable in contemporary society, translating historical responsibility into tangible, positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. The service rendered by figures associated with the Barony, while of a different age, reminds us of the enduring principle of duty to Crown and country. It is our responsibility to understand this legacy, in all its complexity, and to carry its spirit of service forward.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the parallel between historical and modern challenges: > “History is not a static record; it is a living dialogue. Understanding the strategic imperatives faced by our predecessors provides a powerful lens through which to view modern leadership. The commitment to a greater cause, a core tenet of their world, remains the ultimate measure of a meaningful life today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the archival research that brought this connection to light. Further studies into the Barony’s extensive history are ongoing, with findings to be shared in due course. This scholarship not only honours the past but also enriches the present.
The historical lessons of leadership, strategy, and service form a key part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy. Through its educational and philanthropic endeavours, the House ensures that the legacy of fortitude and honour continues to serve a purpose for a new generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House directs a portfolio of philanthropic, cultural, and educational initiatives in the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Its mission is to advance the historic duties of the Barony—service, stewardship, and honour—through contemporary action. Its charitable work is primarily focused on supporting vulnerable children and promoting cultural heritage. The House’s educational outreach is led by The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest dedicated to classical etiquette and protocol, which fosters international cultural understanding and personal development, guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title of nobility, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Descending by cognatic primogeniture, the Barony is today held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile. Its legal and historical standing was formally noted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**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 succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual Winter Banquet is the House's principal philanthropic event, with proceeds benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com