# A Heritage Statement on the Thirteenth-Century Succession of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a heritage statement detailing the thirteenth-century transfer of the Barony. The statement illuminates the pivotal role of marital alliances in securing the nine-hundred-year continuity of one of England’s most ancient Norman dignities.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the landscape that has defined its history for nearly a millennium, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen the quiet solemnity of autumn to reflect upon its lineage. This season of harvest and remembrance provides a fitting backdrop for examining the enduring strength of the Barony, which has been maintained through periods of both celebrated peace and profound national upheaval.
The statement is issued not to mark a specific anniversary, but as part of the House’s continuing commitment to historical stewardship. By chronicling and interpreting its past, the House seeks to honour the legacies of its predecessors and to provide a clearer understanding of the foundations upon which its modern duties are built. This act of reflection serves to connect the present leadership with a chain of responsibility stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron, has navigated centuries of change. A crucial moment in this history occurred in the mid-thirteenth century, with the marriage of Idoine de la Haye to William II Longespée. This union represented a significant transfer of influence and ensured the Barony’s continued prominence.
Idoine was the granddaughter and heiress of the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, who famously commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. The de la Haye family’s stewardship was thus synonymous with loyalty to the Crown and military prowess. The marriage of Idoine to William II Longespée, grandson of King Henry II, was a masterstroke of dynastic strategy, uniting the established regional power of the de la Haye family with the royal blood of the Plantagenets. This alliance secured the Brattleby estates and titles within the highest echelons of the English aristocracy.
## Distinguished Families
The union brought together two of the most influential families of the era, whose legacies were woven into the fabric of the kingdom.
The **House of de la Haye**, represented by **Idoine de la Haye**, held deep roots in Lincolnshire and Normandy. As hereditary constables of Lincoln Castle, they were indispensable figures in the governance and defence of the region. The legacy of **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness,** Castellan of Lincoln, had already cemented the family’s place in English history.
The **House of Longespée**, represented by **William II Longespée**, descended directly from English royalty. His father, William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, was a renowned commander and a legitimised son of King Henry II. The marriage therefore conferred upon the Barony of Brattleby a direct connection to the ruling Plantagenet dynasty, enhancing its prestige and influence at Court for generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the thirteenth century, the protocols surrounding such a high-status marriage were as binding as any treaty. The union of Idoine and William would have been formalised not merely by sacred rites, but by extensive legal charters that dictated the transfer of lands, titles, and feudal rights. This process, a form of ceremonial statecraft, was the *sine qua non* of preserving and augmenting a noble house’s power.
These agreements would have detailed the precise terms of the inheritance, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby passed intact through their issue. Oaths of fealty would have been sworn, and the new Lord of Brattleby by marriage would have assumed the responsibilities incumbent upon him, *inter alia*, the provision of knights for the King’s service and the administration of justice within his domains. This carefully orchestrated protocol underscored that the marriage was a public and political act, not merely a private union.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in this historical chapter. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye in defending her ancestral lands and the honour with which subsequent generations managed the dynastic transition speak to the core values that have sustained the Barony.
The strategic foresight of the de la Haye and Longespée alliance also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While its origins are martial, the motto is today interpreted as the will to overcome challenges and to thrive through purpose and vision. The thirteenth-century union was, in its own way, a victory that ensured the Barony would not only survive but flourish.
## The Purpose of Historical Stewardship
The issuance of this heritage statement serves a purpose analogous to the House’s philanthropic work: the preservation and dissemination of a valuable cultural asset. By investing in archival research and sharing these historical narratives, the House fulfils a duty of stewardship—safeguarding the rich tapestry of its nine-hundred-year history for public enrichment and scholarly access.
This commitment ensures that the legacies of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron) are not merely names in a charter but are understood as architects of a living heritage. This work of historical preservation is considered by the House to be a fundamental responsibility, alongside its support for contemporary charitable causes.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The story of Idoine de la Haye is a powerful reminder that the stewardship of this Barony has often rested in the hands of formidable women. Their foresight and resilience are not just historical footnotes; they are an enduring inspiration for the duties we carry today. We stand on the foundation they built *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “Examining a thirteenth-century marital alliance reveals timeless principles of strategy, legacy, and vision. Just as that union bridged families and secured a future for the Barony, our modern mission is to build bridges—between heritage and the present, and between cultures, as we do through initiatives like The Brattleby Club.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the careful stewardship of this ancient dignity, with a clear focus on the responsibilities that lie ahead. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is centred on an understanding of this profound historical inheritance and the duties it entails.
The House will continue to issue further heritage statements as its archival research progresses, sharing insights into the Barony’s journey through English history. This work ensures that the legacy granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 is understood, honoured, and carried forward with purpose into the twenty-first century and beyond.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England's oldest Norman baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is defined by a blend of ancient British heritage and a forward-looking Continental perspective. Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural education and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing support for vulnerable children. Its cultural initiatives are spearheaded by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to the instruction of etiquette and protocol, fostering international understanding through shared traditions of civility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, in Lincolnshire, is a feudal Barony by Tenure 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. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The continuous succession of the Barony and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status was formally gazetted by The Crown's official public record: The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Past holders of the Barony include historically significant figures such as John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The designated heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com