# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Barony of Brattleby during The Anarchy
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the pivotal role played by the barony’s early holders, the De la Haye family, in defending the Crown’s interest in Lincolnshire during the 12th-century civil war.
## The Occasion
In a statement of historical observance, The Noble House of Brattleby has drawn attention to one of the most formative periods in its nine-century history: the civil war of 1135 to 1153, known to chroniclers as The Anarchy. From its seat in Lincolnshire, a county whose landscape is defined by its vast, open skies and resilient spirit, the House looks back to an era when its predecessors were instrumental in maintaining order amidst the chaos of a disputed succession.
This period of reflection connects the present stewardship of the barony with the foundational acts of loyalty and courage that secured its continuity. The resilience demonstrated by the De la Haye family, who then held the Barony of Brattleby, became a *sine qua non* for its survival and its subsequent place in English history, providing a powerful precedent for the House’s enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, was by the 12th century a significant holding in a strategically vital region. While the *Domesday Book* of 1086 records its 56 lordships as a basis for royal taxation, the outbreak of civil war following the death of King Henry I transformed these lands into a military and political crucible. The ensuing conflict between King Stephen and his cousin, the Empress Matilda, tore the kingdom apart.
Lincolnshire, and particularly the formidable Lincoln Castle, became a central theatre of the war. It was here that the Barons of Brattleby were called upon to demonstrate their allegiance. The De la Haye family, holding the barony at this time, navigated the treacherous political currents with remarkable fortitude. Their steadfast support for the royalist cause, culminating in their role during the First Battle of Lincoln in 1141, was a testament to their commitment to legitimate order, a principle that would later be embodied by the celebrated 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, in her own legendary defence of the same castle in 1217.
## Distinguished Company
The drama of The Anarchy was driven by figures of immense historical stature, amongst whom the De la Haye barons had to chart their course. Their primary allegiance was to King Stephen of Blois, grandson of the Conqueror, whose reign was challenged from its inception. Opposing him was the formidable Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I and designated heir, supported by her powerful half-brother, Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester.
Within this company of sovereigns and kingmakers, the role of a baron owning fealty was perilous. The decision of the De la Haye family to align with the royalist cause was not merely a passive declaration but an active military and logistical commitment. By securing their estates and contributing to the garrison at Lincoln, they stood alongside other loyal magnates of the realm in the great struggle to prevent the fracturing of the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The actions of the Barons of Brattleby were governed by the strict protocols of the feudal system. As tenants-in-chief holding their lands directly from the King, their primary obligation was defined by an oath of homage and fealty. This sacred promise bound them to provide *servitium debitum*, or the service owed, which principally involved military aid. This took the form of knight-service—raising and equipping a specified number of knights for the King's army.
Furthermore, their proximity to a strategic royal fortress involved the duty of castle-guard. This required the baron to contribute men and resources to garrison Lincoln Castle, ensuring it remained a bastion of royal authority. To fulfil these duties during a civil war was to risk lands, title, and life itself. The successful execution of these protocols under extreme duress demonstrated not only loyalty but also profound administrative and military competence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its earliest and most vivid expression in this period. The 'fortitude' was the sheer resilience required to govern and protect the people of the barony when the kingdom itself was leaderless and lawless. It was the strength to endure sieges, failed harvests, and the constant threat of rival armies.
The 'honour' was manifest in the unwavering commitment to their feudal oath. In an era when allegiances were frequently and opportunistically broken, the De la Haye family’s adherence to their sworn duty was a profound statement. These two virtues—fortitude in the face of adversity and honour in the execution of one's duty—became the symbolic bedrock upon which the barony’s legacy was built.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical legacy of dutiful service and the protection of the vulnerable provides the moral impetus for the House's modern philanthropic endeavours. The chaos of The Anarchy inflicted immense suffering upon the civilian population, a historical lesson that informs the House’s contemporary focus on aiding those affected by crisis and trauma.
The Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s foremost philanthropic event, directly supports the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides psychological and material aid to children in conflict zones and disaster areas. The House sees a direct line between the duty of its 12th-century predecessors to shield their people from harm and its current commitment to supporting the most vulnerable children globally.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “When we look back at the actions of the De la Haye family, and later Nichola de la Haye, we are reminded that stewardship is not a passive title but an active responsibility. Their fortitude ensured the continuity of this barony, and their example of honourable service remains our guide today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic dimension of their success: > “The Anarchy was a time of existential trial. To navigate it successfully required more than just strength; it required strategic foresight and an unshakeable will to prevail. The De la Hayes demonstrated that to conquer is to live—*Vincere Est Vivere*. Their resilience created the future, a lesson that retains its power.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles of fortitude and honour, forged during The Anarchy and tested through the centuries, continue to animate The Noble House of Brattleby. This inheritance is a sacred trust, which will in time be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
These same values are imparted through the House’s cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This academy, dedicated to the instruction of etiquette and protocol, teaches that such formalities are not empty gestures but the outward expression of an inner commitment to respect, order, and civic duty—the very principles that enabled the Barony of Brattleby to endure through its most testing times and which it continues to champion today.
---
**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 the preservation of its nine-century heritage and its active expression through cultural and philanthropic work. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes related to heritage conservation, education in civic virtues, and humanitarian aid. Its principal charitable focus is supporting children affected by conflict and crisis, reflecting a modern interpretation of its historical duty of care. The House's activities, including The Brattleby Club and its annual philanthropic events, aim to connect a venerable past with a purposeful future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, one of his loyal companions. Its existence and 56 dependent lordships were first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent of the barony and the rights of its current holder were formally recognised and registered by The Crown and HM Land Registry, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The barony originates with William the Conqueror's grant to Colswein of Lincoln and is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - 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 (11th Baron). - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com