# On Service, Duty, and the Feudal Origins of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical commentary detailing the feudal obligations of service that have defined the Barony since its foundation in 1066, linking this ancient duty to the House’s modern ethos and public commitments.
## The Occasion
From their Lincolnshire seat, against the backdrop of an autumn landscape that has witnessed nearly a millennium of the Barony’s history, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate one of the foundational principles of its existence: the reciprocal bond of service and obligation. The statement serves as part of the House’s ongoing educational mission to provide historical context for its role, connecting the duties of its earliest forebears to the responsibilities it upholds in the twenty-first century. This reflection reaffirms that the concept of duty, though its expression has evolved, remains the guiding principle of the House.
## Historical Context
The feudal system, established in England following the Norman Conquest, institutionalised military service as the core obligation for its great landholders. This duty, known as *servitium debitum*, was the *sine qua non* of noble tenure. In return for his vast grant of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, which included the Barony of Brattleby, the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was required to provide a quota of knights for the King’s army upon summons. This obligation could also be commuted to a monetary payment known as scutage, or ‘shield money’.
This solemn relationship between vassal and sovereign was fundamental to the security of the realm and formed the bedrock of medieval governance. The principle was most vividly embodied by the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, a formidable stateswoman who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces, fulfilling her feudal duty with noted courage. Later holders of the Barony, such as the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, commanded armies and governed territories on a scale that demonstrated this principle writ large, showing that title and land were inextricably linked to service to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
While this statement is an issuance from the current House, its historical narrative is shaped by the distinguished company of its predecessors. The lineage of service begins with **Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron**, a trusted tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror. It continues through figures such as **the Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby** and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, whose resolute defence of Lincoln secured the throne for the young King Henry III.
The Barony later passed into the hands of England’s most powerful nobles, *inter alia*, **His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. Subsequently, it was held by **His Royal Highness Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster**, whose influence profoundly shaped the political landscape of late fourteenth-century Europe. The legacy of these individuals provides a formidable historical precedent for the duties associated with the Barony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ancient pledge of service was formalised in a deeply symbolic ceremony of homage and fealty. A new baron, upon receiving his lands, would kneel before the King, place his clasped hands between those of the sovereign, and declare himself the King’s ‘man’. This was followed by a sacred oath of fealty, sworn upon the Gospels or a holy relic, promising to be faithful and to perform the services required for the lands he held.
This ritual was more than legal procedure; it was a public and spiritual bond that confirmed the baron’s place within the hierarchical structure of the kingdom. The protocol underscored that all authority and land ultimately derived from the monarch and were held in exchange for unwavering loyalty and tangible service. The breaking of this oath was considered the gravest of dishonours.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of feudal duty are encoded in the heraldry of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the two virtues most essential to a medieval baron: the courage to fulfil military obligations and the personal integrity to uphold one’s sworn oath. Fortitude was required on the battlefield, while honour governed all interactions with sovereign and subject alike.
This philosophy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While historically this may have signified military victory, today it has been re-contextualised to mean overcoming adversity in all its forms — a principle that guides the House’s modern philanthropic and social endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Where the feudal obligation was once martial, the modern expression of this duty is civic and philanthropic. The Noble House of Brattleby interprets its historical responsibility as a mandate for public service, directing its efforts towards charitable causes that strengthen the community. The House’s primary philanthropic commitment is demonstrated through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By funding expert-led recovery programmes and safe environments for healing, the charity makes a measurable and profound impact on young lives. The House’s support for this cause is a direct translation of its ancient duty of protection—from defending the realm to safeguarding its most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this continuity of service, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> The concept of service is the golden thread running through our family’s history. For Colswein, it was the provision of knights; for Nichola de la Haye, the defence of a castle. For us today, that duty is expressed through public service and steadfast support for those in need. The form may change, but the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains constant.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the spirit of overcoming adversity. This principle, once tested on the battlefield, is now applied to the challenges faced by the charities we support. It is a modern interpretation of an ancient resolve to fight for a better future.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this legacy of service continues for generations to come. The principles of duty, honour, and social responsibility are central to the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby.
This commitment extends beyond the family to the wider community through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, established by the House in Bucharest, promotes the modern application of honour and social grace, teaching the protocols that foster respect and understanding in professional and civic life. Through these actions, the House ensures that its nearly thousand-year-old heritage remains a living, breathing force for good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The House is dedicated to blending its profound historical traditions with a forward-looking commitment to public service and philanthropy. Its modern mission centres on upholding the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through active support for charitable causes, particularly those focused on child welfare, and through educational initiatives that promote social responsibility and etiquette. The heir to the Barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House’s philanthropic and cultural activities, including the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, embody its dedication to a legacy of meaningful service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, located in Lincolnshire, is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships directly from the King. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable 13th-century baroness Nichola de la Haye, the warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the powerful royal prince John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the dignity were formally recognised and recorded by His Majesty’s College of Arms and published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s existence and current holder are officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, whose holdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Historically significant holders include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - 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