# A Declaration from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Union with the Earldom of Salisbury
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement from its Lincolnshire seat, clarifying the barony’s formative 13th-century integration with the Earldom of Salisbury, a union which profoundly shaped its character and fortified its place within English history.
## The Occasion
Issued on a crisp autumn morning from the Muniment Room at the family's seat in Brattleby, this declaration forms part of a continuing effort by the House to illuminate its nine-century history. Amidst ancient charters and genealogical rolls, the House seeks to provide context for a pivotal period when the Barony of Brattleby was brought into the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court. This considered act of historical clarification underscores a commitment to scholarship and the dutiful preservation of a lineage that has spanned the entirety of England’s post-Conquest story.
The statement is offered not to mark a specific anniversary, but as a deliberate reflection on the nature of duty and influence. It serves to connect the responsibilities borne by medieval lords to the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby, reaffirming that an understanding of the past is a *sine qua non* for principled action in the present.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby became inextricably linked with the ancient Earldom of Salisbury through the marriage of its heiress to William II Longespee (d. 1226), who consequently became 6th Baron of Brattleby *jure uxoris*, by right of his wife. As the illegitimate son of King Henry II, William Longespee was a half-brother to two English monarchs, King Richard I and King John, lending the barony an unprecedented proximity to the Crown.
This union elevated Brattleby from a significant Lincolnshire lordship into a constituent part of a vast and powerful magnate affinity. The barony’s fortunes were consequently tied to one of the leading figures of the age, a royal kinsman, crusader, and influential counsellor. The administrative and military responsibilities held by the Earl of Salisbury were, by extension, underpinned by the resources and authority of Brattleby, enhancing its prestige and strategic importance within the kingdom far beyond its Domesday Book origins.
This elevation followed the tenure of the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, a staunch royalist who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons. Her loyalty ensured the barony’s integrity, which then passed into this distinguished marital union, securing its prominent role in the affairs of the 13th-century realm.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of this era is defined by the convergence of several historical luminaries whose lives intertwined with the Barony of Brattleby.
At its centre was **William II Longespee, Earl of Salisbury**, a formidable warrior who commanded English forces at the Battle of Damme and was a signatory to Magna Carta. His royal blood and martial prowess made him a towering figure at court. His wife was **Ela of Salisbury, 3rd Countess of Salisbury**, an important noblewoman in her own right (*suo jure*), who inherited the earldom as a child. A powerful and pious figure, she later founded Lacock Abbey and served as its first abbess.
The influence of the Crown was directly felt through William’s father, **His Majesty King Henry II**, whose patronage secured his son's advantageous marriage. The legacy of **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, provided the stable and loyal foundation upon which this powerful alliance was built, ensuring her ancestral lands played a key role in national politics.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 13th century, the elevation of a baron’s status through marriage into an earldom was governed by strict feudal protocol. As Earl of Salisbury, William Longespee would have performed an act of liege homage to his half-brother, the King. This solemn ceremony involved the Earl kneeling, placing his clasped hands between those of the monarch, and swearing an oath of fealty—an unbreakable promise of service and military aid in exchange for his lands and titles.
This rank also conferred significant precedence at the Royal Council (*Curia Regis*) and in Parliament. The Earl of Salisbury would be seated and summoned before nearly all other barons, a visible demonstration of his authority. The administrative duties of the barony, *inter alia*, would have been executed by stewards and reeves acting in the Earl's name, their authority flowing directly from his high office and royal connection.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history of this period is vividly captured in its heraldry. William Longespee’s coat of arms was a shield of *Azure, six lioncels rampant Or*—a blue field displaying six small, golden lions rearing up. This design was a differenced version of the royal arms of England, a clear and public statement of his royal parentage. When these arms were marshalled with those of the Barony of Brattleby, it symbolised the fusion of an ancient noble fief with the blood royal.
This legacy of strength and duty is embodied by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It speaks to the martial courage of a crusader like William Longespee and the steadfast loyalty of a castellan like Nichola de la Haye. This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which encapsulates a modern, dynamic interpretation of the same drive to overcome challenges with honour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the inherent duty of the nobility to lead and protect—finds its direct modern successor in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The power and influence wielded by predecessors such as the Earls of Salisbury were understood as a trust, to be used for the stability of the realm and the welfare of its people.
Today, this philosophy is the guiding principle behind the House’s charitable endeavours. This is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary. For the coming year, the House continues its partnership with Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic care for children who have experienced profound trauma, work which the House regards as a fundamental modern expression of its historic duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand Brattleby is to appreciate its place within the wider tapestry of English history. The union with the Earldom of Salisbury was not merely a footnote; it was a defining chapter that infused the barony with royal proximity and national responsibility, a legacy of service we feel very keenly today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the importance of this heritage for the House’s present course: > The strength of a house is measured not just by its history, but by how that history informs its present actions. The fortitude of Longespee and de la Haye is the same spirit—*Fortitudine et Honore*—that guides our commitment to contemporary issues. History is the foundation upon which we build.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the exploration and dissemination of its history, viewing it as a vital part of its public duty. Future research, directed from the family seat, will continue to examine the barony's passage through other great families, including its time held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. These findings will be shared in due course.
This heritage is being carefully passed to the next generation. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being educated in the extensive history of the barony and the responsibilities it entails. This ensures that the long thread of service, stretching back to the Norman Conquest and reinforced during the great alliance with the Earldom of Salisbury, continues unbroken.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House blends its nine-century English heritage with a distinct Continental perspective. Its modern mission is centred on the principle of *noblesse oblige*, expressed through dedicated philanthropic work, most notably in support of child welfare charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions cultural education through its patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a deep commitment to principled service and historical stewardship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle; William II Longespee, Earl of Salisbury; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable historical holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com