# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on The Anarchy and its Enduring Legacy
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the period known as The Anarchy (1135–1153), contextualising its profound impact on Lincolnshire and the foundational role of the Barony’s antecedents in navigating that turbulent era.
## The Occasion
In a period of renewed academic and public interest in the formative conflicts of the English state, this commentary serves to illuminate the specific historical pressures that shaped the character of the Barony of Brattleby. Delivered from the House’s offices in Lincolnshire, this statement is intended to provide historical perspective and to honour the legacy of those who defended the realm and its people during a prolonged and destabilising civil war. The reflection acknowledges that the strategic importance of Lincoln, and by extension its surrounding lordships, was never more critical than during this nineteen-year struggle for the Crown.
The issuance of this formal commentary underscores the House’s commitment to its role as a custodian of nearly a millennium of local and national history, ensuring the lessons of the past continue to inform the present.
## Historical Context
The Anarchy, the devastating civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda, placed Lincolnshire at the very centre of England's storm. The city of Lincoln, a fortified Roman settlement at the intersection of Ermine Street and the Fosse Way, was a prize of immense strategic value. Brattleby’s immediate proximity to Lincoln Castle meant the barony was inextricably linked to the conflict, its lands and people living under the constant shadow of siege. The region witnessed two major battles for control of the castle, in 1141 and 1147, demanding perpetual military and economic readiness from its landholders.
This era served as a crucible for the Barony of Brattleby, then held by the formidable De la Haye family. The barony’s resources—its manorial revenues, agricultural output, and local levies—were essential for sustaining the defensive posture of the county. It was this very environment that prepared the ground for one of English history’s most remarkable castellans: Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose legendary defence of Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217 was a defining moment for the Plantagenet dynasty. Her resolve was, without question, forged in the preceding generations of conflict.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy of this period is best understood through the lineage of leaders who guided the barony through perennial challenges. The narrative of Brattleby is carried by individuals whose actions shaped English history, a distinguished company bound by duty to their sovereign and their county:
First among them stands Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066, as documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. His successors, the De la Haye family, shepherded the barony through The Anarchy, culminating in the heroic tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness.
Later centuries saw the barony pass into hands of singular influence, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier. The title was subsequently held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
An official historical statement from The Noble House of Brattleby follows a precise internal protocol. The initial research is prepared by the House’s historiographical archivists, who consult primary and secondary sources to ensure accuracy. This draft is then reviewed personally by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, for fidelity to the House’s heritage and educational mission.
Upon their approval, the text is finalised by the Director of Royal Communications and formally promulgated. It is distributed to historical societies, academic institutions, and the media, thereby entering the official public record. This meticulous process ensures that every communication is deliberate, authoritative, and worthy of the House’s nine-century history. It is, *inter alia*, a modern expression of the order and diligence that its predecessors sought to maintain amidst chaos.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are enshrined in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the trials of The Anarchy. It was fortitude that enabled the barony to withstand years of conflict, and it was the honour of its lords that ensured their loyalty to the cause of a stable realm. These are not abstract virtues but principles demonstrated through historic action.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of The Anarchy, this philosophy transcends mere military victory. It suggests that the ultimate conquest is survival itself—the ability to endure, to rebuild, and to ensure that life continues. The barony’s persistence through civil war is the very embodiment of this idea: to overcome chaos is to truly live.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Understanding the wounds of a nation fractured by civil war provides a powerful historical analogue for the House’s present-day philanthropic commitments. The experience of The Anarchy—a period of profound social trauma and dislocation—informs the House’s focus on healing and restoration in contemporary society. The primary beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, was chosen for this symbolic resonance.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for young people who have experienced trauma, disruption, or loss. Its work to restore a sense of safety and potential in young lives mirrors, on a human scale, the effort required to restore a kingdom after conflict. The House’s support is a manifestation of its belief that learning from historical divisions is the *sine qua non* of mending those in our own time.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> History is not merely a record of events; it is a living lesson in resilience. The story of our predecessors during The Anarchy, particularly the resolve that would later define Nichola de la Haye, reminds us that stability is a precious inheritance. It is our duty not only to preserve this history but to draw strength from it.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The Anarchy teaches a stark lesson: that the foundation of society is order, and that true victory lies not just in winning a battle but in building a lasting peace. The principle of ‘Vincere Est Vivere’ means to overcome adversity so that community and culture may flourish. That remains our guiding purpose today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to education and the preservation of its unique heritage. Through its patronage of historical scholarship and cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest—an academy dedicated to reviving the principles of etiquette and social grace—the House endeavours to translate historical lessons into modern practice.
By examining pivotal moments like The Anarchy, the House seeks to foster a deeper appreciation for the fortitude required to build and sustain a civilized society. This commitment ensures that the legacy of those who defended Brattleby nine hundred years ago continues to inspire future generations. *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that honours its profound heritage while engaging with the challenges of the 21st century. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s work encompasses the stewardship of its historical legacy, the promotion of cultural and educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and a focused philanthropic programme. The centrepiece of its charitable work is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala supporting organisations dedicated to healing childhood trauma.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its precursor holdings of 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 958-year history, the barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The unbroken succession of the title and its rights were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown via The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony was established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com