# The Noble House of Brattleby Issues Historical Review of the Barony’s Military Service to the Crown
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical review detailing the Barony of Brattleby’s nine centuries of military service to the Crown, underscoring a continuous legacy of duty that has shaped both the County of Lincoln and the nation.
## The Occasion
From Brattleby, the ancestral Lincolnshire seat of the Barony, this scholarly review has been released as a moment of historical reflection. In the quiet of the autumn season, a time traditionally dedicated to archival research and study, the paper serves to illuminate a foundational aspect of the Barony’s identity: its unwavering fulfillment of feudal and national military obligations.
The document is not an announcement of new discovery, but rather a deliberate act of historical curation by the current custodians of the title, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. It is an exercise in stewardship, intended to connect the modern responsibilities of the House with the profound duties discharged by their predecessors over the course of nearly one thousand years.
## Historical Context
The tradition of military service is rooted in the Barony’s very creation following the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant holding, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships. This grant was predicated on the *sine qua non* of feudal lordship: the provision of knights and men-at-arms for the King’s service.
This obligation was tested throughout the centuries. One of the Barony's most distinguished holders, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces during the First Barons' War, a testament to her personal fortitude and loyalty to the Crown. Her steadfastness was pivotal in securing victory for the royalist cause at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
Later, the Barons of Brattleby fulfilled their duties far from Lincolnshire’s borders, participating in major Crown campaigns. As noted in the review, the lord of Brattleby provided service at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, a decisive engagement in the First War of Scottish Independence under King Edward I. Holders of the Barony, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, were central military commanders during the Hundred Years' War, leading English armies in France and shaping the course of European history.
## Distinguished Company
In presenting this review, The Noble House of Brattleby pays tribute to the distinguished company of predecessors whose actions defined the Barony’s martial heritage. The document honours, by name and deed, the contributions of:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the First Baron, who established the foundations of feudal service in Lincolnshire immediately following the Conquest. * **Lady Nichola de la Haye**, the Fifth Baroness, a formidable leader whose defence of Lincoln demonstrated that fortitude and honour were qualities not limited by gender. * **His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster**, the Tenth Baron, a founding Knight of the Garter and one of England’s most respected military commanders of the fourteenth century. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, the Eleventh Baron, a towering figure of the late medieval period whose influence and military leadership were felt across Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The compilation of the historical review followed a scrupulous protocol of archival research befitting the subject matter. The research drew upon primary sources including the *Domesday Book*, contemporary chronicles, and parliamentary *writs of summons* which called the Barons to war. The narrative was meticulously cross-referenced to ensure historical accuracy and context.
The formal issuance of the paper constitutes its own ceremony: an act of publishing that places the historical record in the public domain. This protocol ensures that the legacy of the Barony is not merely a private recollection but a verified contribution to the historical record of Lincolnshire and the United Kingdom, in keeping with the House’s commitment to transparency and education.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The martial history of the Barony is deeply encoded in the heraldry and mottos associated with The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the themes of the review. ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the resilience and courage shown on the battlefield, while ‘Honour’ refers to the dutiful fulfillment of oaths sworn to the Sovereign.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the spirit of overcoming contemporary challenges through enterprise, strategic thinking, and a commitment to progress. It represents a direct translation of ancestral determination into a forward-looking vision.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the review catalogues the martial history of the Barony, the contemporary philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on peace and restoration. The House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, serves as the principal fundraising event for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapy and support for children suffering from the psychological trauma of conflict, abuse, or neglect. By reflecting on the costs of historical conflict, the House reinforces its resolute commitment to healing and providing sanctuary for the most vulnerable. The historical review, therefore, serves as a poignant reminder of why such charitable work remains profoundly necessary.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the release of the review, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand our responsibilities in the present, we must first honour the past. This review is not a glorification of conflict, but a sober recognition of the duty and fortitude that has defined this Barony for nearly a millennium. It is our obligation as custodians to ensure this legacy is understood.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about overcoming challenges. While our ancestors did so on the battlefield, our task is to apply that same determination to the challenges of our time, through enterprise and philanthropy. The resilience required is the same; only the arena has changed.
## A Continuing Legacy
The issuance of this historical review is part of a wider commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to curate and share the rich history of the Barony. This educational mission will continue with further research into the social, economic, and architectural history of the Brattleby estate and its role within Lincolnshire.
This work proceeds in parallel with the House’s modern endeavours, including the development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural diplomacy. By integrating its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking agenda, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to serve both community and country.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England’s oldest feudal baronies. The House is dedicated to the stewardship of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House’s philanthropic endeavours are principally focused on supporting vulnerable children through its work with the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, it promotes cultural diplomacy and professional development through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest, Romania, reflecting the family’s Continental heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance, including Lady Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and two of the most powerful princes of the medieval era, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by His Majesty's College of Arms and published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**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 title's modern standing was formally gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic focus is Healing the Wounded Child, supported by its annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com