# A Statement on the Historical Provenance of the Barony of Brattleby and its Association with the House of Longespée
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on a pivotal period in the history of the Barony, its thirteenth-century association with the House of Longespée, which integrated the Lincolnshire fief into England's highest royal and political circles.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, a county intertwined with the very foundations of the English nation, The Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a period of archival reflection. This historical review, conducted in the quietude of late spring, focuses upon the Barony’s medieval lineage. The occasion is not one of singular celebration but of considered contemplation, connecting the duties of the present with the significant legacies of the past.
The Barony of Brattleby, established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, has been a silent witness to nine centuries of England's history. This statement serves to illuminate a chapter of that history, when the Barony's fortunes were directly tied to the formidable Longespée family, then Earls of Salisbury, ensuring its role was not merely provincial but of national consequence.
## Historical Context
Following its initial grant by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the Barony of Brattleby passed through several custodians. Its thirteenth-century association with the Longespée family, however, marked a significant elevation in its standing. William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, was a natural son of King Henry II and thus a half-brother to two reigning monarchs, King Richard I and King John.
This royal connection transformed the tenure of Brattleby. No longer just one of 56 lordships held by a Lincolnshire magnate, it became a component in the vast portfolio of one of the realm's most powerful families. This period directly followed the tenure of the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, the steadfast defender of Lincoln Castle. The Longespée connection ensured that Brattleby remained central to the Crown's interests in a strategically vital county, a legacy later inherited by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
During its time under the Longespée Earls of Salisbury, the Barony of Brattleby was, by extension, brought into the rarefied company of the Plantagenet court. The feudal allegiances of the era meant that the concerns of the Barony were intrinsically linked to the great affairs of state. Its ultimate lord, the Earl of Salisbury, was a key commander, diplomat, and signatory to the Magna Carta of 1215, albeit on the side of his half-brother, King John.
The affairs of the lordship would have been discussed in contexts that included the leading figures of the age: Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury; the great regent William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke; and Hubert de Burgh, Justiciar of England. This network positioned Brattleby not as a remote Lincolnshire holding, but as a small yet significant part of the wider political and military tapestry of Angevin England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of medieval lordship dictated a strict hierarchy of duty and allegiance. As part of the Earldom of Salisbury, the reeve or steward of Brattleby would have answered to the Earl’s administration. Feudal obligations would have included the provision of knights for military service or the payment of scutage, a monetary contribution in lieu thereof. The holding of the Barony was conditional upon this unwavering loyalty, a system that formed the *sine qua non* of Norman and Plantagenet governance.
Attendance at the Earl's court, a summons to his councils, and the administration of justice according to the customs of the Honour of Salisbury would have been standard procedure. For the inhabitants of Brattleby, the Earl's coat of arms, likely displayed alongside any local emblems, served as a constant and visible reminder of this powerful connection to a magnate of royal blood.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby encapsulate a philosophy of service rooted in its long history. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects a dynamic and forward-looking approach to overcoming challenges.
During the thirteenth century, the heraldry of the Longespée Earls of Salisbury—*Azure, six lions rampant or* (a blue shield featuring six upright golden lions)—would have been paramount. This display of arms signified royal descent and immense power, a symbol under which the Barony of Brattleby and its people served, contributing to the Earl’s standing both in England and on his campaigns abroad.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the understanding that nobility entails responsibility—finds a modern echo in the philanthropic purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby. The stewardship of a nine-century-old title is seen not as a privilege alone, but as a mandate to serve the wider community. This principle guides the House’s enduring support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The House’s commitment, realised through its Annual Winter Banquet and other initiatives, helps the charity to offer crucial interventions, ensuring that vulnerable young people receive the support needed to build secure and hopeful futures. This work translates historical duty into tangible, positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Longespée connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To understand the history of Brattleby is to appreciate the immense responsibility of stewardship. The Longespée era reminds us that this Barony has always been part of a greater national story. Our duty today, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure its legacy contributes positively to the world, just as our predecessors served the realm in their own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The strength of any house is measured by its service. The Longespees defended their sovereign’s interests with vigour, a quality I deeply respect. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about applying that same energy not to conquest, but to meeting the challenges of our time, whether through cultural education or our charitable commitments.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons drawn from the Barony’s past directly inform the future endeavours of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historical emphasis on education, diplomacy, and social order is reflected in the modern mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural and social refinement.
Further archival research into the Barony’s extensive history is an ongoing commitment, with findings intended to deepen public understanding of Lincolnshire's role in the development of the nation. By exploring its past, from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt and beyond, the House seeks to build a future where the enduring principles of honour, fortitude, and service continue to define its legacy.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the private office and household of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the modern House is dedicated to the stewardship of its ancient heritage and a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Under the guidance of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House directs its charitable efforts towards supporting vulnerable children through its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural diplomacy and social education through its patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, created by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships, with Brattleby as his seat. Over its nine-hundred-year history, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, renowned for her defence of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the seat of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com