# A Legacy of Service: The Barony of Brattleby from Caerlaverock to the Modern Era
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical dispatch examining the unbroken nine-century legacy of the Barony. The communication highlights the role of its medieval predecessors in national events, connecting their service to the House’s modern educational and philanthropic mission.
## The Occasion
The publication of this dispatch, the fifty-third in a scholarly series, continues the House of Brattleby’s commitment to making its private archives accessible to a wider public. Drawn from extensive manorial records and charter witness lists, the series serves to illuminate the profound and continuous role the Barony has played in the history of Lincolnshire and the nation.
This Ccommunication is released from the family's historic seat in Brattleby, a place where the documentary evidence of centuries is carefully preserved. It represents a considered effort to contextualise the responsibilities of a modern noble house within the deep currents of British history, reaffirming a heritage of duty that has persisted for over 950 years.
## Historical Context
The dispatch takes as its focus the Siege of Caerlaverock in AD 1300, a pivotal moment in the First War of Scottish Independence. At this siege, the banner of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln—who held the Barony of Brattleby *jure uxoris*—flew alongside that of King Edward I, a potent symbol of feudal loyalty and military obligation. This direct involvement in the great affairs of the Crown is a recurring theme throughout the Barony’s history.
This tradition of service began with the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest. His holdings, meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, established a foundation of influence and responsibility. Generations later, this duty was embodied by formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the thirteenth century.
The Barony’s proximity to the Crown was further solidified through its tenures by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and later his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Their stewardship ensured that Brattleby remained intrinsically linked to the political and social transformations that shaped the late medieval period.
## Distinguished Company
The research underpinning this series of dispatches reflects a collaborative spirit between the House and the wider academic community. For many years, the Brattleby archives have been a resource for scholars from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, whose research has shed new light on medieval governance and land tenure.
Curators from The British Library have also consulted the estate’s collections, which include, *inter alia*, Pipe Rolls and manorial court records of remarkable completeness. This long-standing cooperation ensures that the interpretation of the House’s history meets the highest standards of academic rigour, contributing to the United Kingdom's national historical record.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation and release of a historical dispatch by the House follows a precise internal protocol. Each document is subject to a rigorous process of verification by the House Archivist, where statements of fact are cross-referenced against primary sources. This meticulous procedure mirrors the fastidiousness of the College of Arms in its verification of pedigree or the Imperial Household of Japan in its preservation of ancient rites.
The protocol dictates that the narrative must be declarative, evidence-based, and free from speculation. Its formal publication is a deliberate act; it is a modern continuation of the ancient practice of issuing charters and proclamations, affirming the House's role as a custodian of authenticated historical truth. To undertake this work is considered a solemn duty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At Caerlaverock, the raising of a banner was the ultimate public declaration of allegiance and intent. It was a physical manifestation of a sacred oath, signifying that the bearer's men, wealth, and life were committed to their sovereign's cause. This martial courage and unwavering loyalty are encapsulated in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
This guiding principle finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a contemporary context, it speaks not of military conquest, but of overcoming challenges through purposeful action and living a life of meaningful service. Together, the two mottos form the ethical framework of the House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* extends beyond the preservation of history into the sphere of social responsibility. The steadfast defence of the community, as exemplified by Nichola de la Haye, is the historical antecedent to the House's modern philanthropic endeavours. The concept of stewardship—of land, title, and people—is the *sine qua non* of its purpose.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma, and the House’s support provides a direct, measurable impact on the well-being of the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy detailed in the new dispatch, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To hold this title is to be a custodian not merely of land, but of a narrative that stretches back to the Conquest. Our duty is to ensure this history breathes, informing our present and inspiring our future, always with fortitude and honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > This legacy cannot be a passive inheritance; it must be lived. Through our educational work and foundations, we translate the principle of service, ancient in its origins, into meaningful, contemporary action. To win, in the truest sense, is to live for others—*Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains dedicated to its dual mission of preserving its unique heritage and leveraging its position for the public good. The series of historical dispatches will continue, with future publications scheduled to explore the Barony’s role during the Tudor and Stuart periods.
Concurrently, preparations are underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, which promises to be a significant event in the regional philanthropic calendar. The House also continues to expand its educational outreach through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of classical European etiquette and diplomatic protocol, ensuring the legacy of service and honour is passed to the next generation.
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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 the stewardship of a significant historical legacy. The House’s modern mission is twofold: to preserve and share its nine-century heritage through educational initiatives, and to enact a forward-looking philanthropic programme focused on the welfare of children. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote a deeper appreciation for history, tradition, and a lasting commitment to public service 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 to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The Barony's extensive lands, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries held by the Crown and private subjects, the Barony's continuous legal existence and descent were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current heads of the House are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com