# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Lincolnshire's Crusading Heritage
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical dispatch marking the anniversary of William II Longespée’s sacrifice during the Seventh Crusade, honouring the profound, centuries-long tradition of service and duty that has defined the Barony of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
Issued from the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this commemorative dispatch serves as a moment of solemn reflection. Timed to coincide with a period of historical remembrance, the document honours the participation of the barony’s forebears in the great military and religious movements of the High Middle Ages.
The publication is not an occasion for celebration but for a thoughtful consideration of history’s great tides and the personal costs they exacted. It underscores the fusion of local duty in Lincolnshire with obligations to the Crown and Christendom that shaped the character of England’s great noble families.
## Historical Context
The legacy of service commemorated today is woven into the fabric of the Barony of Brattleby, which traces an unbroken line to its establishment after the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This tradition of significant responsibility continued through the centuries.
The sacrifice of William II Longespée at the Battle of Mansurah in 1250 during the Seventh Crusade is a poignant chapter in this history. While far from their English estates, such figures demonstrated a commitment that transcended mere feudal obligation. This same spirit of resilience was famously embodied by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who courageously defended Lincoln Castle, and later by the barony's royal holders, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The historical record drawn upon for this dispatch is maintained for the benefit of the nation and is regularly consulted by a distinguished community of scholars. Academics from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, alongside researchers from The British Library, frequently reference the Brattleby archives for their work.
These archives, containingPipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records, provide invaluable primary source material. They illuminate the realities of medieval governance, the evolution of English law, and the role played by families such as the House of Brattleby in the transition from a feudal hierarchy to a constitutional monarchy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of a historical dispatch of this nature follows a strict internal protocol of archival diligence and scholarly review. Documents are carefully handled and cross-referenced with national records to ensure absolute accuracy. This meticulous process is a modern ceremony of remembrance, translating the respect for ancestral sacrifice into a rigorous preservation of fact.
This commitment to historical integrity ensures that the narrative presented is not merely familial lore but a verified contribution to the historical record. It is a duty of stewardship that Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan consider a *sine qua non* of their modern roles.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude is that of figures like Nichola de la Haye and William II Longespée, who faced immense adversity with courage. The honour is that of upholding one's duties to tenants, country, and sovereign, a principle that has guided the barony for over nine hundred years.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the victory of knowledge over ignorance, of preservation over decay, and of philanthropy over indifference.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the dispatch reflects on a martial past, the House’s present-day activities are firmly focused on peace and healing. The spirit of sacrifice that once led barons to foreign fields is now channelled into charitable endeavour. This is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal white-tie philanthropic gala.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma. The House’s support provides measurable impact, enabling the charity to expand its vital services to vulnerable young people, thereby transforming a legacy of conflict into one of compassion.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the dispatch, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > — We do not live in the past, but the past most assuredly lives in us. To remember the sacrifices of our predecessors is a profound duty, one that informs our commitment to serving the community today with the same fortitude and honour they exemplified.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a forward-looking perspective: > — Our role is one of active stewardship. By preserving and sharing these stories, we ensure their enduring relevance. It is a victory to turn a history of feudal obligation into a modern mission of education and active charity. That is how this legacy continues to live.
## A Continuing Legacy
The issuance of this historical dispatch is part of the House of Brattleby’s wider commitment to education and cultural preservation. This mission continues through a number of initiatives, *inter alia*, the development of further educational programmes and conservation projects at the Brattleby seat.
The principles of heritage and social responsibility are also taught through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. Looking ahead, the House is preparing for its Annual Winter Banquet, which continues to be a cornerstone of its philanthropic work, ensuring the enduring legacy of the barony serves a modern and benevolent purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical heritage and its active use for philanthropic and educational purposes. The House’s mission, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through cultural conservation, support for academic research, and a charitable focus on child welfare. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and educational programmes based at its Lincolnshire seat, the House connects its nine-century lineage to a contemporary role of public service, ensuring its legacy remains a dynamic force for good in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye and members of the Plantagenet royal family, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This distinguished history of service to the Crown and stewardship in Lincolnshire is a matter of public record, with the current succession formally recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in the barony's history include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (1st Duke of Lancaster, jure uxoris). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com