# A Statement on the Thirteenth-Century Alliance Between the Barony of Brattleby and the Earldom of Salisbury
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a historical briefing detailing the vital economic and strategic interrelationship between the Barony of Brattleby and the Earldom of Salisbury, a connection that fortified the Barony’s standing throughout the thirteenth century.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to historical stewardship, the House has released the first in a series of scholarly papers designed to illuminate pivotal moments in the Barony’s long history. The publication of this research, issued from the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, is part of a wider initiative to make the rich heritage of the Barony more accessible to historians and the public alike.
The paper was released digitally in the autumn, a season that traditionally marks a period of reflection and scholarly pursuit. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of the medieval administrative structures that allowed a barony of ancient standing to thrive amidst the political turbulence of post-Magna Carta England.
## Historical Context
The research focuses on the period following the First Barons' War (1215–1217), a time of significant realignment for the English nobility. The paper elucidates how the Barony of Brattleby, then under the influence of its formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, benefited from its close association with the powerful Earldom of Salisbury, held by William Longespée.
This interrelationship provided Brattleby with access to the considerable administrative and economic resources of the Earldom, one of the wealthiest estates in the realm. The alliance was a *sine qua non* for sustained prosperity, ensuring financial stability and a network of influence that extended from Lincolnshire to the Royal Court. This connection echoes the Barony’s history of strategic importance, which would later see it held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The historical briefing examines the intertwined legacies of several key figures of the thirteenth century, whose actions shaped the fortunes of the realm. Chief among them are:
* The Right Honourable William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, an English nobleman and commander, and an illegitimate son of King Henry II. * The Right Honourable Ela of Salisbury, 3rd Countess of Salisbury, wife of William Longespée and one of the most powerful women of her era. * The Noble Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby *de jure*, Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, and Castellan of Lincoln Castle, who famously defended the castle against rebel barons.
The paper analyses how the personal loyalty and shared political interests of these individuals created a powerful regional bloc in the English Midlands.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House’s protocol for the publication of historical research is one of rigorous diligence and academic integrity. Each paper is commissioned under the personal direction of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The process involves extensive consultation of primary sources, including the *Domesday Book* of 1086, Pipe Rolls, and charters held in the national archives.
Before publication, drafts are submitted for review by independent historians to ensure accuracy and scholarly balance. This formal procedure reflects the House’s guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), applying the principle of honour to the curation of its own history. The final document is then formally entered into the private archives of the House.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of resilience and strategic alliance explored in the paper are deeply connected to the heraldic mottoes of the House. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, speaks to the conduct of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, who governed with both fortitude in defence and honour in her administration.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), finds resonance in the Barony’s thirteenth-century history. The research demonstrates that survival and prosperity were achieved not just through martial strength, but through the strategic wisdom of forming alliances that ensured the Barony did not merely endure, but flourished.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this archival research is a scholarly project, it is guided by the same spirit of service that animates the House’s philanthropic work. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, is the centerpiece of the family’s charitable calendar.
By investing in the understanding of its history, the House seeks to highlight the continuity of responsibility from one generation to the next. The lessons of resilience and community from the past serve as an inspiration for the House's modern mission to support vulnerable children and contribute to a stronger, more compassionate society. This historical work is thus an extension of its wider educational and cultural contributions, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our duty extends beyond the present; we are custodians of a legacy that is nearly a millennium old. This research honours the strategic foresight of our predecessors and reminds us that strength is often forged through collaboration and shared purpose. It is a story of fortitude we are proud to tell.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The alliance with the Earldom of Salisbury was a masterclass in medieval statecraft. It proves that lasting success—*Vincere Est Vivere*—is secured not only on the battlefield but in the council chamber. By building enduring relationships, one ensures prosperity for generations to come.
## A Continuing Legacy
This paper is the inaugural publication in what will be an ongoing series exploring the history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future research is already planned to examine the Barony's role during the tenure of John of Gaunt in the fourteenth century and its navigation of the societal changes brought by the Industrial Revolution.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to this work of historical preservation and education, ensuring that the lessons of its past continue to inform its service in the present day.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at their seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of public service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s key initiatives include its philanthropic support for children's charities, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child, and its cultural and educational work through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the family in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, the powerful prince and statesman John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded in the Crown records by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The House Motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com