# The Noble House of Brattleby on a Legacy of Duty During The Third Crusade
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a reflection on the tests of allegiance which confronted the Barony during the Third Crusade, connecting the steadfast duty of its medieval forebears to the House’s modern commitment to philanthropy and honour.
## The Occasion
As the autumn mists settle over the ancient landscape of Lincolnshire, a season traditionally given to reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has turned its consideration to the annals of its own formidable history. From its ancestral seat in Brattleby, the House marks this time of harvest and remembrance by examining the principles which have ensured its continuity for more than nine centuries.
This historical review is offered not as a new initiative, but as part of the House's enduring function: to provide context and continuity, demonstrating how the duties of the past directly inform its present responsibilities. It is a reminder that the obligations of title, first granted by William the Conqueror in 1066, have always demanded resilience in the face of national and international upheaval.
The focus of this reflection is the turbulent period of the Third Crusade. It considers the profound trials of loyalty that confronted the custodians of the Barony of Brattleby, whose actions at a moment of profound crisis would resonate through the centuries and serve to define the House’s character.
## Historical Context
The departure of His Majesty King Richard I for the Holy Land in 1190 created a precarious power vacuum in England. This absence was swiftly exploited by his ambitious brother, Prince John, Count of Mortain, whose subsequent rebellion tested the allegiance of the entire English nobility. For the Barony of Brattleby, this was no distant political affair; the turmoil manifested directly at the gates of Lincoln Castle.
At this critical juncture, the Barony was held by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. As hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, a fortress of immense strategic value controlling the intersection of the Fosse Way and Ermine Street, she was charged with its defence. Her duty was emblematic of the era, where personal loyalty to the Crown, sealed by sacred oath, was the *sine qua non* of political and social order.
Lincoln itself was a prize of profound importance, not only for its military position but also for its economic power, being at the heart of England's prosperous wool trade. The crisis, therefore, represented a direct threat to the stability and prosperity of the entire region. The manner in which the 5th Baroness and her husband, Gerard de Camville, navigated these complex currents provides a compelling study in leadership and unwavering allegiance to sovereign duty.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of this period is shaped by figures of lasting historical consequence, whose decisions defined an age. The principal actors included His Majesty King Richard I, known to history as *Cœur de Lion*, whose absence on Crusade precipitated the crisis, and his brother, the future King John, whose machinations threatened to plunge the realm into civil war.
Central to the story of the Barony of Brattleby, however, is the indomitable Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th holder of the title and a notable predecessor of the current Baroness, Lady Nicoleta, she stands as a singular figure of medieval England. Her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle against Prince John’s forces in 1191 was a masterclass in fortitude.
Furthermore, her service extended beyond this single event. After King John’s accession, she remained a trusted servant of the Crown, appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire. In 1217, during the First Barons' War, the aged but formidable Baroness once again commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle, this time against rebel barons and their French allies, securing a decisive victory for the new king, Henry III. Her actions confirmed a tradition of robust leadership and dynastic service that would later be embodied by figures including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The English feudal system of the 12th century was bound by a strict ceremonial protocol of homage and fealty. Barons and castellans held their lands and authority directly from the Monarch, a sacred bond sealed by a public oath of loyalty. In this solemn ceremony, the vassal would kneel, place his hands between those of his sovereign, and swear to be his ‘liege man of life and limb’, an oath often sworn upon a holy relic or Bible.
This pledge was the legal and spiritual foundation of governance, obligating the vassal to provide counsel (*consilium*) and military service (*auxilium*) to their sovereign. To break it was an act of profound gravity, not only a personal dishonour but a threat to the stability of the entire kingdom. The formal process of breaking fealty, known as *diffidatio*, was effectively a declaration of war.
The crisis of Prince John’s rebellion was, at its heart, a catastrophic breach of this sworn protocol. For Nichola de la Haye, upholding her oath to the absent King Richard was a matter of honour so fundamental as to be beyond question. Her refusal to surrender Lincoln Castle was a powerful affirmation of the ceremonial and legal duties that underpinned the very existence of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect historical expression in the well-documented actions of the 5th Baroness. Her command of Lincoln’s defence was a physical manifestation of fortitude; her steadfast loyalty to the anointed Crown, even when embodied by an absent king, was the ultimate expression of honour. These two virtues form the intangible coat of arms of the House, carried forward through nine centuries.
This guiding ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, which is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Within the context of the House’s history, ‘to conquer’ is understood not merely as military victory, but as the conquering of adversity through principle and perseverance. It signifies the triumph of duty over convenience and integrity over self-interest.
This philosophy sees victory in the resilience of institutions, the upholding of oaths, and the defence of community. It is a theme as relevant to the challenges facing society today as it was to the defenders of a castle wall in the 12th century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical imperative to protect the community and to serve the Crown finds a direct modern analogue in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. While Nichola de la Haye defended a physical fortress and its populace, the House today dedicates its efforts to safeguarding the vulnerable in a different, though no less critical, context. The principal beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, embodies this continuity of purpose.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children and young people who have been affected by profound trauma. It offers a sanctuary—a modern form of stronghold—in which they can begin the difficult process of recovery. The charity’s work provides a restorative environment where expert intervention helps to rebuild lives shattered by circumstances beyond their control.
The House’s support for this vital organisation is a contemporary expression of the ancient baronial duty of care. It extends the foundational principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* to the protection of those most in need, translating historic responsibilities into meaningful, present-day action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical antecedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The example of Nichola de la Haye is a powerful reminder that leadership has always demanded immense personal courage, particularly for a woman of that era. Her resolve to uphold her sworn duty to the Crown, in the face of overwhelming political and military pressure, speaks directly to our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. She remains a truly inspiring predecessor.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “History teaches us that true victory—the kind of victory that endures—lies in a steadfast adherence to one’s principles. The trials of the past illuminate the virtues required for the present, and the long history of this Barony is a testament to the enduring power of loyalty, honourable conduct, and the will to overcome adversity. It is a legacy we are committed to upholding.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This reflection on the Third Crusade is part of a broader commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to connect its past with its present and future responsibilities. The lessons of fortitude, honour, and strategic leadership demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye are not treated as historical footnotes; they are active, guiding principles for the House’s contemporary activities both in England and abroad.
These same values are instilled at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s academy of protocol and social diplomacy. The Club is dedicated to transmitting the foundational principles of European cultural traditions to a new generation. Its curriculum, which includes, *inter alia*, diplomatic protocol, precedence, and the art of civil discourse, ensures that the nine-hundred-year legacy of honourable and effective conduct continues to find relevance in the 21st century.
By championing these classical disciplines, the House works to ensure that the heritage of thoughtful leadership and social duty—so vividly demonstrated at the walls of Lincoln Castle—is not merely remembered, but actively practiced.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. With a perspective that is both deeply rooted in English heritage and distinctly European in outlook, the House is dedicated to the active stewardship of its ancient titles. Its modern mission is centred on philanthropy, cultural advocacy, and education, promoting the enduring values of duty and honour. The House’s principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House works to champion the relevance of classical etiquette and protocol in contemporary society, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by King William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its inaugural holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in the county as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by a number of historically significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Lordship and Barony were formally recognised and recorded in the service of the Crown with Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under the tenancy-in-chief of Colswein of Lincoln. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The designated beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com