# A Statement on the Historical Heraldry of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical commentary detailing the heraldic and symbolic significance of the Barony’s medieval association with the Longespee Earls of Salisbury, reinforcing the House’s commitment to preserving its nine-century heritage for the public record.
## The Occasion
In the quiet autumnal setting of its Lincolnshire seat, The Noble House of Brattleby has authorised the release of this formal commentary. The statement forms part of a continuing series of historical explorations, intended to illuminate key periods in the Barony’s long and storied past. This initiative arises from a deep-seated sense of stewardship, ensuring that the lineage and legacy of the Barony, first granted in 1066, are accurately recorded and made accessible. The publication reflects the House’s belief that to understand the present, one must first honour the past, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 Lincolnshire lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, has occupied a notable position in English history for over 950 years. During the 13th century, a period of considerable political flux, the Barony’s fortunes were closely intertwined with those of the Longespee Earls of Salisbury. This connection was most prominent through William Longespee, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, an illegitimate son of King Henry II, and his descendants. Their royal blood and martial renown placed them at the centre of power in the realm.
This era followed the remarkable tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. The Barony would later pass to figures of immense national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The Longespee association, therefore, represents a critical chapter connecting the Barony’s Norman origins to its later ducal prestige under the House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
In issuing this commentary, the House honours the memory of the distinguished predecessors whose history it is charged with preserving. Among these personages of note are:
* Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a significant landholder in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. * Nichola de la Haye, *suo jure* 5th Baroness of Brattleby, hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire. * William Longespee, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, a commander in the Fifth Crusade and a great-grandson of King Henry II. * Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter. * John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III and a central figure of the 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of historical statements by the House follows a rigorous internal protocol. Research is conducted using primary source material from national and local archives, supplemented by consultation with fellows of the College of Arms and independent historians. Each commentary is drafted within the Private Office and reviewed for historical accuracy and clarity before being granted final approval for publication by the Baron and Baroness. This meticulous process ensures that all communications meet the highest standards of scholarship and reflect the gravity befitting the Barony’s history. The publication itself is considered an act of formal record-keeping.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
During the period of their influence, the heraldic devices of the Longespee Earls of Salisbury would have been a familiar sight on banners, seals, and property associated with the Brattleby estates. Their coat of arms — formally blazoned as *Azure, six lioncels rampant Or* — consists of a vibrant blue shield charged with six small, golden lions standing erect on their hind legs. This imagery was a clear and powerful statement of their royal lineage and martial strength, the lion being a classic symbol of courage, nobility, and kingship.
The display of these arms served as a constant visual reinforcement of the Barony’s standing within the medieval aristocracy. It is a legacy of resolute purpose that finds a modern echo in the mottos of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Together, they speak of a tradition where honour is achieved through fortitude, and true living is found in overcoming challenges.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement carries no direct charitable beneficiary, its purpose is rooted in a philanthropic commitment to cultural and historical preservation. By investing in the research and dissemination of the Barony’s history, The Noble House of Brattleby contributes to the broader public understanding of local and national heritage. This work is undertaken as a duty of stewardship, a *sine qua non* of responsible title-holding, ensuring that this unique historical narrative is not lost to time but is instead preserved for future generations of scholars and the public alike.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of history. Understanding the symbols that defined our predecessors, such as the lions of the Longespee earls, is a duty we owe not only to them but to the historical record itself. It connects us, in a tangible way, to the challenges and triumphs that have shaped this Barony.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The martial spirit of the 13th century, so vividly captured in its heraldry, can seem distant. Yet the underlying principles — of strength, of purpose, of making one’s mark — remain timeless. It is our privilege to translate that historic legacy into a modern mission of service and cultural leadership.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This commentary is the first in a planned series of historical publications that will explore different eras of the Barony’s past. Future work will include detailed accounts of other notable predecessors and the architectural history of the Brattleby seat in Lincolnshire. The House is also exploring the digitisation of key documents related to the Barony, with the aim of creating a publicly accessible online archive. These initiatives underscore a long-term commitment to academic rigour and transparent stewardship of this distinguished heritage.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old English barony. Its modern mission combines the preservation of this unique heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s principal philanthropic endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides support for young people affected by trauma. Through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also promotes education in classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol, bridging historical traditions with contemporary leadership. The House operates under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, 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. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and later, Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The long and continuous history of the Barony, and the rights of the current holder, were formally recorded and recognised by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession to the title of 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s Domesday Book entry of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as lord of 56 manors. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com