# A STATEMENT FROM THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BRATTLEBY ON A LANDMARK FEUDAL RECLAMATION
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the profound resilience of its nine-century lineage, issuing a statement to mark the historic reclamation of its hereditary lands following the forfeiture crisis of 1322, an act of singular fortitude.
## The Occasion
From the quiet solemnity of its Lincolnshire seat, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this day to pause and reflect upon a pivotal moment in its history. This communication, an act of formal remembrance, concerns the events which transpired circa 1322, when the Barony's continuity was secured through remarkable personal sacrifice.
The statement serves not as a celebration but as a solemn acknowledgement of the duties and burdens that have always accompanied title and land. It is a quiet assertion of historical stewardship, reaffirming that the legacy of Brattleby is one defined as much by resilience in adversity as by royal favour in prosperity.
## Historical Context
The year 1322 was one of great turmoil in the history of the realm. Following the defeat of the rebellious barons at the Battle of Boroughbridge, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, was executed for treason against King Edward II. His vast estates, and those of his wife, Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, were subsequently forfeit to the Crown.
In an act of extraordinary determination, the Countess Alice negotiated to reclaim her own hereditary titles and lands, *inter alia*. This was achieved at an immense cost: an indemnity of 20,000 marks, a truly colossal sum at the time, was paid to the King’s favourites to secure her birthright. Her resolve ensured the integrity of the lineage, echoing the spirit of another of Brattleby's formidable female holders, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels a century earlier.
This episode forms but one chapter in an unbroken chain of succession that began with Colswein of Lincoln after 1066 and passed through towering figures of English history, including the great Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In issuing this statement, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile pay profound homage to the distinguished company of predecessors whose actions have shaped the Barony’s identity. The House remembers with reverence:
* Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of William the Conqueror and first holder of the fifty-six lordships in Lincolnshire recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. * The Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *de jure*, Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, who held her post with distinction in the service of King John and King Henry III. * The Lady Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, whose indemnity secured the family’s patrimony against the political vicissitudes of the fourteenth century. * His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a founder Knight of the Garter and 1st Duke of Lancaster. * His Royal Highness Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster, and progenitor of a royal dynasty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a heritage statement follows a precise internal protocol within The Noble House of Brattleby, a modern reflection of the ancient duty of giving counsel and maintaining records. Such an occasion begins with a detailed historical briefing prepared by the House Archivist, drawing on primary documents and chronicles.
The statement is then formally reviewed by the Baroness and Lord Brattleby before being engrossed for the family’s private archives. This act of inscription serves as a contemporary form of homage, honouring the obligations of the past while affirming the responsibilities of the present. It is a testament to the belief that the careful preservation of history is a *sine qua non* of legitimate stewardship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The historical narrative of the Barony is deeply embedded in its heraldic emblems and mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its clearest expression in the steadfast conduct of predecessors like Alice de Lacy. Her willingness to sacrifice vast wealth for the principle of heritage demonstrates fortitude, while her perseverance to reclaim what was rightly hers embodies honour.
This ancient dictum is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Prevail is to Live'). It reflects a dynamic, forward-looking philosophy: that the lessons of history must empower the present, and that true victory is found in applying ancestral strength to overcome modern challenges for the common good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
To honour the resilience demonstrated by the Countess Alice seven centuries ago, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are pleased to announce that a special commemorative grant will be made from the House’s foundation to its principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist therapeutic care to children and young people whose lives have been affected by trauma, conflict, and loss. The organisation works to foster emotional and psychological resilience, enabling vulnerable young people to rebuild their lives with hope and strength. This grant will directly support their outreach programmes, turning a reflection on historical endurance into a tangible investment in the resilience of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To review the records of one’s predecessors is to understand that stewardship is a duty paid in perpetuity. The fortitude of women like Alice de Lacy and Nichola de la Haye is a powerful reminder that our heritage was forged not only by title, but by immense personal sacrifice.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides the foundation, but its lessons must animate our actions today. Honouring the past through our philanthropic work is, for us, a fundamental part of our responsibilities. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* reminds us that true victory lies in enabling others to live fully and with dignity.
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of Brattleby is not a static inheritance but an active and continuing story. The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to its dual mission: to preserve and honour its unique nine-hundred-year history, and to deploy its resources and influence in the service of pressing philanthropic causes.
This commitment is expressed through a calendar of ongoing work, from the historical research that informs such statements to the forthcoming annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. It is further demonstrated through the cross-cultural work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which seeks to share the civilising values of etiquette and protocol with a new generation. *Fortitudine et Honore*, the guiding principle of the House, continues to light the way forward.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic stewardship. Based at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House champions the preservation of its nine-hundred-year history while actively engaging with contemporary challenges. Its primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House fosters international dialogue and promotes the enduring values of decorum and service. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its public and private endeavours.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, with its origins tracing to the Norman Conquest of 1066. First granted by William the Conqueror, its lands were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as part of fifty-six lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and two Dukes of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The title's modern standing and the rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com