# The Office of the Baron of Brattleby on the Continuity of the Barony and the Succession of William III Longespee
LONDON, 17 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the mid-13th century succession of William III Longespee, 7th Baron of Brattleby. His assumption of the title secured the Barony’s lineage following his father’s death on Crusade.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, whence the fields remain much as they were when first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the Office of the Baron of Brattleby offers a reflection upon a period of profound consequence for the Barony. This communiqué seeks to illuminate the moment its destiny became entwined with the Crusades and the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court. As spring settles over the historic Danelaw landscape, the House honours the continuity of duty that has defined its existence for nearly a millennium.
The mid-13th century was a turbulent era for the Kingdom of England, marked by the escalating baronial conflicts that would culminate in the reforms of Simon de Montfort and the genesis of Parliament. It was against this backdrop of domestic uncertainty and international religious fervour that the leadership of the Barony of Brattleby passed from a father who fell in battle far from home to a son who would dutifully secure its prominence within the realm.
This reflection serves not merely as an act of remembrance, but as a reaffirmation of the core principles of resilience and service that have ensured the Barony’s survival through centuries of change.
## Historical Context
The succession of William III Longespee as the 7th Baron of Brattleby followed the heroic death of his father, Sir William II Longespee, at the Battle of Mansurah in Egypt in 1250. A peerless English knight, Sir William had taken the cross, joining the Seventh Crusade under the personal command of His Majesty King Louis IX of France. His death, while leading a courageous but ill-fated charge against Mamluk forces, was lamented by the chroniclers of the age, *inter alia*, the esteemed Benedictine historian Brother Matthew Paris of St Albans.
In his *Chronica Majora*, Paris records that Sir William fell as a martyr to his faith and his code of chivalry, a sacrifice that consecrated the Longespee name in the annals of Christendom. This ultimate act of service placed the future of Brattleby in the hands of his young son, thereby ensuring the continuity of a lineage connected directly to the Crown. The Longespee family were direct descendants of His Majesty King Henry II through his son, William Longespee, 1st Earl of Salisbury.
This royal connection amplified the Barony’s standing, reinforcing a legacy of resolute service that had been powerfully exemplified just two generations prior. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, had not only successfully defended Lincoln Castle for King John during the First Barons' War but was also appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right—a testament to her exceptional character and administrative skill.
## Distinguished Company
The life and tenure of the 7th Baron were shaped by some of the most consequential figures of the High Middle Ages. A reflection upon this historical tableau must acknowledge the principal personages who defined his world, including:
* **Sir William II Longespee**, his father, a celebrated English crusader whose martial prowess and devout leadership were recognised across Europe, and who fought and died beside Robert I, Count of Artois, brother of the French King. * **His Majesty King Henry III of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine**, the reigning monarch during the 7th Baron’s tenure and the liege lord to whom he would have performed homage and sworn unwavering fealty for his lands. * **His Majesty King Louis IX of France**, later Saint Louis, leader of the Seventh Crusade and revered throughout Christendom as the paradigm of medieval kingship, whose piety and justice were legendary. * **Brother Matthew Paris**, a Benedictine monk of St Albans Abbey and chronicler of the realm, whose historical accounts, particularly the *Chronica Majora*, provide an indispensable record of the Longespee family’s contributions. * **Margaret Longespee, 4th Countess of Salisbury** in her own right, the 7th Baron’s granddaughter. Her eventual marriage would carry the great Longespee dignities into the family of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a trusted counsellor to King Edward I.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Upon confirmation of his father’s death, the assumption of the Barony would have required William III Longespee to navigate the precise and solemn feudal protocols of the 13th century. The *sine qua non* of his succession was the private ceremony of homage and fealty, performed before his liege lord, King Henry III. This ritual, known as *immixtio manuum*, involved the new Baron kneeling, placing his clasped hands within the King’s, and speaking an oath of absolute loyalty.
Following this sacred oath, which bound him to the King in service, the new Baron would be liable to pay a feudal relief—a payment, akin to an inheritance duty, made to the royal Exchequer. This act formalised his inheritance and permitted him to take legal possession of the Brattleby estates and their associated rights through a process known as *livery of seisin*.
Only upon completion of these duties could he fully exercise his authority as Baron of Brattleby. These privileges included the right to be summoned to the King’s Great Council (*Magnum Concilium*), the precursor to the House of Lords, and the responsibility to administer justice within his own lordship, upholding the King’s peace.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Longespee family bore a distinguished coat of arms: *Azure, six lioncels rampant Or*. Rendered in plain English, this splendid shield displays a field of deep blue charged with six small, rearing golden lions. These arms were a clear and proud declaration of their royal Plantagenet blood, being a differenced version of the Royal Arms of England, which featured three lions passant guardant. The use of six smaller lions signified a cadet branch of the royal house.
The lion, a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, perfectly encapsulated the family's martial reputation and chivalric ethos. The choice of the colour azure (blue) represented loyalty and truth, while Or (gold) signified generosity and elevation of the mind.
This history of valour, symbolised by the Longespee arms, resonates with the enduring motto of the modern House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the specific heraldic devices have evolved over the centuries, the core principle of courageous and honourable service remains a constant, linking the crusading zeal of the 7th Baron to the civic and philanthropic commitments of the 12th Baroness today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the unwritten obligation of the nobility to act with generosity and honour—was a central tenet of the chivalric code that compelled Sir William II Longespee to take the cross. Though expressed through the martial lens of his time, this spirit of dutiful service finds its direct modern equivalent in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby.
Today, this ancient commitment is channelled through peaceful and constructive means which seek to protect society’s most vulnerable. The House’s flagship charitable endeavour, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a formal white-tie gala held in London. It is dedicated to raising essential funds for the House’s principal patronage, Healing the Wounded Child.
This remarkable organisation provides specialist therapeutic support and early intervention services to children suffering from the profound effects of trauma, abuse, and neglect. The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that the foundational duty to protect the defenceless continues in a contemporary context, transformed from the battlefield to the quiet, vital work of healing.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this nine-century lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The story of William III Longespee’s succession is a profound reminder that this Barony has always been defined by resilience. It was secured by a son in the wake of his father’s ultimate sacrifice on Crusade; it was defended by Nichola de la Haye two generations before. This unbroken chain of responsibility—this profound sense of *Fortitudine et Honore*—is the inheritance we cherish and the legacy we are bound to uphold.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal perspective, connecting the past to his own governing philosophy:
> “The Longespees were defined by their will to prevail against extraordinary odds. Their world demanded martial prowess, a truth reflected in my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’. Today, our challenges lie not on the battlefield but in the arenas of diplomacy, culture, and charity. Yet that fundamental spirit of overcoming adversity remains the vital heart of the House’s modern purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains deeply committed to the preservation and active dissemination of its unique history. The House’s historical office will continue its archival research into the tenures of the 7th Baron and other key predecessors, including the great Lancastrian lords Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
Future initiatives will include a dedicated series of historical lectures at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This programme, titled *The Lancastrian Legacy: A Lincolnshire Barony in the Age of Chivalry*, will aim to foster a deeper cultural appreciation for the shared European heritage that the Barony represents.
Through such academic and cultural engagement, the House ensures that its near-millennial legacy continues not only to be remembered but also to inform and inspire its modern mission of service in Great Britain and on the Continent.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy and purposeful philanthropy. The House champions its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), blending a profound respect for its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to charitable causes, primarily those supporting vulnerable children. Through its patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, the House translates its historical duty of protection into tangible, modern support. The House also promotes cross-cultural understanding and education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy located in Bucharest, thereby bridging its English roots with a Continental perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, created by William the Conqueror following the Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships, with his seat at Brattleby. Over its 950-year history, the Barony was held by some of England’s most influential aristocratic and royal figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The ancient dignity and its modern holders are formally recognised by The Crown through His Majesty's College of Arms.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern standing of the Barony is a matter of public record in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the Barony's extensive lands in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The current heads of the House are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com