# A Statement on the Historical Precedent of Service and the Seventh Crusade
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement on its historical connection to the Seventh Crusade, drawing upon the Barony’s association with the Battle of Mansura (AD 1250) to affirm the continuity of service guiding its present-day philanthropic mission.
## The Occasion
From its offices in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has disclosed a considered reflection on a pivotal moment within its near-millennial history. Timed to coincide with the reflective mood of autumn, the communiqué serves not simply as a matter of record, but as a deliberate act of historical stewardship. It illuminates the profound and enduring bond between the Barony of Brattleby and the great affairs of medieval Christendom.
This detailed historical examination is intended to provide a richer context for the House’s modern responsibilities. By exploring the duties of its antecedents, the House reaffirms the defining values that have shaped its purpose for over nine centuries. The statement connects the martial obligations of the past with the civic and charitable imperative of the present, demonstrating an unbroken chain of duty.
The act of curation itself, drawing from archival sources and chronicles of the period, stands as a testament to the House's commitment to understanding its legacy. It is an exercise in discerning the principles that persist through time, thereby informing the Barony’s contemporary role in society.
## Historical Context
The mid-thirteenth century was a period in which the great feudal lordships of England, including the Barony of Brattleby, were inextricably woven into the political, dynastic, and religious tapestry of Europe. A signal example of this was the participation of the English nobility in the Seventh Crusade, a major expedition led by His Most Christian Majesty King Louis IX of France to the Holy Land and Egypt.
Among the English contingent’s most distinguished commanders was William II Longespée, whose involvement demonstrates the Barony’s sphere of influence. As the son of the Earl of Salisbury, himself an illegitimate son of King Henry II, Longespée personified the close integration of the English aristocracy with the Royal Court. His fateful participation in the Battle of Mansura in 1250, where he fought with great valour and was killed, is recorded by the chronicler Matthew Paris in the *Chronica Majora*. This sacrifice underscored the solemn commitment of England’s baronage to their knightly vows and sovereign duties.
This tradition of service at the highest level was a hallmark of the Barony’s lineage. It echoes the steadfast resolve of a formidable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons’ War. The Barony later passed to towering figures of the Plantagenet dynasty, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a founding Knight of the Garter; and subsequently to his son-in-law, the immensely powerful John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, ensuring an unbroken heritage of national and Continental consequence.
## Distinguished Company
The crusading army which advanced upon Mansura from its base at Damietta represented a remarkable convergence of Europe’s most powerful noble houses. The presence of an English contingent, serving alongside the French and under their own banners, affirmed the close, albeit frequently rivalrous, relationship between the English and French Crowns, then personally embodied by their respective kings, Henry III and Louis IX, who were brothers-in-law.
At the head of this formidable host was King Louis IX of France, a monarch whose profound piety and justice were already legendary and would lead to his eventual canonisation as Saint Louis. He was accompanied by his brothers, most notably Robert I, the impetuous Count of Artois, whose decision to lead an unauthorised charge against the Mamluk garrison precipitated the day’s disaster.
The English knights, whose numbers included magnates and their household retinues, fought alongside the great Military Orders, including the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller. This gathering of disparate, often competing, powers under the singular banner of the Cross highlighted a shared aristocratic and martial culture that, for a time, transcended emergent national identities, a complex fraternity united by faith and feudal obligation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The organisation of a crusading army was governed by centuries of established military, religious, and courtly tradition. The campaign commenced with the solemn rite of ‘taking the cross’, a public vow by which a knight became a *crucesignatus*—literally, ‘one signed by the cross’. This oath, often taken in a great cathedral, marked the individual's commitment to an armed pilgrimage, binding him into a spiritual and military brotherhood for the duration of the campaign.
On campaign, the army followed a strict order of battle determined in a council of war, a formal assembly of the highest-ranking nobles. A vanguard (*avant-garde*) would scout ahead, followed by the main body of the army and a rearguard (*arrière-garde*) to protect the baggage train and prevent ambush. Command was hierarchical, though often complicated by competing claims of precedence among powerful lords.
The battlefield itself was a theatre of heraldry, a visual language essential for command and control. The silken banners, or standards, and the devices painted upon shields and horse trappers were not merely decorative; they were the *sine qua non* of identifying commanders and rallying men in the tumult of combat. The tragedy at Mansura resulted directly from a catastrophic breakdown in this protocol, as the Count of Artois’s rash charge broke the army’s cohesion. William Longespée’s decision to follow, a point of honour, sealed his fate and that of his men.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most powerful expression in the chronicles of such historical moments. The resolute sacrifice of figures like William Longespée, who chose death over the perceived dishonour of abandoning a royal prince on the field, epitomises the chivalric ideal that this motto enshrines. It speaks to an unwavering commitment to duty where integrity is held in higher esteem than survival itself.
Fortitude represents the resilience and strength of character shown by predecessors, from the martial tenacity of Nichola de la Haye to the quiet endurance of generations stewarding the Brattleby lands. Honour signifies the adherence to a code of conduct, a moral compass guiding actions in both public and private life.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While its historical interpretation might allude to martial victory, its modern application within the House is one of striving and overcoming. It is the spirit of conquering contemporary challenges, of succeeding in philanthropic enterprise, and of mastering the disciplines necessary for meaningful public service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The ancient concept of *noblesse oblige*—the traditional obligation of the nobility to serve the wider community—has evolved significantly over the centuries. Where predecessors defended strategic castles or embarked on crusades as an expression of duty, the modern House of Brattleby channels its commitment to service through focused, impactful philanthropy. The guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* is now applied to confronting societal challenges with courage and integrity.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala, held in London, is the principal fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic care, including art, play, and drama therapies, for children who have experienced profound trauma, loss, or abuse.
The selection of this beneficiary is a considered one, reflecting the House's belief that honour today is best expressed through compassion and the protection of society's most vulnerable. The funds raised contribute directly to providing safe, restorative environments where children can process their experiences and begin to heal, embodying a modern form of the protective duty once fulfilled on the battlefield.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon this extensive historical inheritance, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To understand our history is not simply an academic exercise; it is the foundation upon which all our present duty is built. The account of Mansura, with its profound sacrifice and lessons in protocol, reminds us that fortitude and honour have been the central tenets of this Barony’s purpose for centuries.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides a map of enduring values. The same sense of commitment that defined our predecessors in the thirteenth century must now be translated into the language of our own time. It must inform our efforts to support our communities, advance our philanthropic goals, and engage with the world with a clear sense of purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly dedicated to the active stewardship of its remarkable nine-hundred-year history. Through ongoing archival research and the publication of historical commentaries such as this, the House will continue to share insights that connect its unique past to its dynamic present and forward-looking vision. This educational mission is a core component of its modern identity.
This mission is further advanced through carefully selected initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club. Established in Bucharest by Lady Nicoleta, the academy offers focused instruction in European court protocol, diplomatic etiquette, and social disciplines. Far from being a finishing school, it grounds these skills in the rich historical context from which they emerged, thereby preserving and transmitting a vital part of shared cultural heritage.
Through these endeavours, the House seeks to translate its legacy of honour and service into tangible, constructive action for a new generation. It is a commitment that ensures the history of the Barony of Brattleby is not a relic, but a living resource for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern application of the historical principles of service, fortitude, and honour. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House’s mission is focused on targeted philanthropy, community enrichment, and historical preservation. Its principal charitable endeavour is the support of the Healing the Wounded Child organisation, primarily funded through its annual Winter Banquet. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which teaches protocol and etiquette, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for the cultural disciplines that have shaped European society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its lands were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where Colswein was listed as holding 56 lordships. Throughout its distinguished nine-and-a-half-century history, the Barony has been held by figures of exceptional historical importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, a staunch loyalist who served as castellan of Lincoln Castle in her own right. In the later Middle Ages, the title was held by members of the Plantagenet royal family, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights were formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights to the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was first granted in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a holding of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com