# An Official Commentary on the Barony of Brattleby's Historical Role in the Governance of England
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official commentary clarifying the ancient barony’s direct historical connection to the governance of England, particularly during the late 13th century under the reign of His Majesty King Edward I.
## The Occasion
In an age of renewed public interest in the tangible connections between past and present, The Noble House of Brattleby has seen fit to provide formal context to a significant period in its long history. This statement serves as a definitive historical record, offered in the spirit of public education and as a testament to the enduring responsibilities of the Barony.
The commentary is released not to mark a single anniversary, but rather to affirm the House’s role as the primary custodian of its nine-century heritage. It is an act of stewardship, ensuring that the historical weight and significance of the Barony of Brattleby are understood with clarity and accuracy by historians, scholars, and the public alike.
## Historical Context
While the Barony of Brattleby originates with the Norman Conquest—first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as among the 56 Lincolnshire lordships of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron—its influence became interwoven with the very fabric of national governance in the late 13th century. This occurred through the marriage of Margaret Longespée, who held the Barony, to Henry de Lacy, the 3rd Earl of Lincoln.
A trusted confidant of King Edward I, the Earl of Lincoln was appointed ‘Guardian of the Kingdom’ (*Custos regni*) during the King’s extended absences abroad. This high office, effectively a regency, placed the de Lacy family at the apex of political power in England. Decisions concerning justice, finance, and the defence of the realm were administered under the Earl's authority, meaning the governance of England resonated directly through the lands and responsibilities of the Barony of Brattleby.
This tradition of high-level service to the Crown is a recurring theme in the Barony’s history. It echoes the earlier fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King. It also foreshadowed the later prestige of the title when held by such monumental figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the kingdom.
## Distinguished Company
The events of the late 13th century brought the Barony of Brattleby into the orbit of the most senior figures of the realm. Chief among them were:
* His Majesty King Edward I, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine * The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, confidant to the King and Guardian of the Kingdom * The Right Honourable The Countess of Lincoln, Margaret Longespée, who held the Barony of Brattleby *suo jure* (in her own right)
The trust placed in the Earl and Countess by the Monarch underscores the personal and political bonds that connected the Barony directly to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The role of Guardian of the Kingdom was no mere honorific; it was a constitutional necessity vested with profound ceremonial and executive power. As *Custos regni*, the Earl of Lincoln was entrusted with the Great Seal of England, the physical embodiment of the King’s will and authority.
His protocol of governance included presiding over the King’s Council (*Curia Regis*), issuing writs and charters in the monarch’s name, and receiving fealty from the great lords of the land. His authority was second only to that of the King himself and was the *sine qua non* for the stable governance of the nation during periods of royal absence, particularly during Edward I’s campaigns in Gascony and Flanders.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Henry de Lacy, undertaken in his capacity as the Queen’s consort and a great lord of the realm, are a perfect embodiment of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). To govern a kingdom in the sovereign's stead required immense fortitude in the face of political challenges and unwavering honour in the execution of royal duties.
This principle of dutiful action complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). Where one motto speaks to the enduring character required for stewardship, the other speaks to the dynamic and purposeful action required to achieve it. Together, they represent the House’s balanced approach to honouring the past whilst actively shaping the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commentary addresses a matter of historical record, its issuance is guided by a modern philanthropic principle: that education and the preservation of cultural heritage are a vital public service. By clarifying its history, the House provides a valuable resource, enriching the nation’s collective understanding of its own institutional and aristocratic development.
This commitment to education and public good is the common thread that connects the House's historical reflections with its contemporary philanthropic endeavours. It is a duty to serve the community, whether by defending a castle in the 13th century or by supporting disadvantaged children in the 21st.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical link, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To understand the Barony is to understand nearly a millennium of English history in microcosm. The story of Henry de Lacy serving the Crown illustrates a foundational principle of this title: service and responsibility are inextricably linked to privilege. It is a legacy of duty we take most seriously.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History provides a powerful blueprint for action. The decisiveness and loyalty of figures like the Earl of Lincoln are not simply historical footnotes; they are an inspiration for how we must conduct our own duties today, with purpose and commitment. *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The long shadow of history informs the present-day mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ancient responsibility of serving the realm has evolved into a modern commitment to serving the community through focused philanthropy and cultural initiatives.
This legacy of service is most prominently expressed through the House's patronage of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, which is supported by the Annual Winter Banquet, the House's foremost white-tie philanthropic gala. Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest extends this commitment to excellence and etiquette onto an international stage, fostering cultural understanding and personal development. The House of Brattleby remains, as ever, dedicated to its founding principle: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution that supports the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year-old heritage and the active fulfilment of its public-facing duties. Its mission is centred on impactful philanthropy, with a particular focus on programmes supporting vulnerable children through its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy and education, most notably through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest, reflecting the family’s European heritage and commitment to fostering excellence.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony seated in Lincolnshire, first granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief to the King. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two of the most powerful medieval magnates, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (1st Duke of Lancaster, new creation). The modern succession of the title is formally recognised by the Crown, as affirmed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror, AD 1066, and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Annual Winter Banquet is the House's primary philanthropic event, benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com