# A Statement on the Anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge
**BRATTLEBY, LINCOLNSHIRE, 16 March 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today led a private Act of Remembrance at their Lincolnshire seat, marking the 702nd anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge and its profound consequences for the Barony and their predecessors.
## The Occasion
The solemn commemoration took place within the quiet confines of the family’s private chapel at Brattleby, a place of worship and reflection for the Barony’s holders for centuries. A morning of low, early spring clouds over the Lincolnshire Wolds imparted a fitting gravity to the occasion, which was observed with quiet contemplation and historical reverence.
This act serves as a poignant, annual remembrance of the events of 16 March 1322, a decisive moment in the Despenser War. On that day, the history of the Barony of Brattleby—and indeed of England itself—was irrevocably altered by a clash of arms on the banks of the River Ure in Yorkshire.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Boroughbridge was the brutal culmination of the rebellion led by Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, against his cousin, King Edward II. As the husband of the great heiress Alice de Lacy, Thomas held the Barony of Brattleby *de jure uxoris* (by right of his wife), and its fate was inextricably linked with his own. His defeat at the hands of the royalist commander, Sir Andrew Harclay, led to his immediate capture.
Within a week, Thomas was convicted of treason in a show trial at his own Pontefract Castle and summarily executed. His downfall had catastrophic consequences for Alice de Lacy. She was imprisoned, and her vast estates, including Brattleby, were seized by the Crown. Her story is one of remarkable resilience, a quality evocative of another of the Barony’s formidable female holders, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle. The Lancastrian legacy was eventually restored through such successors as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The private ceremony was led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. In their capacities as the current custodians of the Barony, they carry forward the duty of remembering the long and often turbulent history of their predecessors.
The solemnities were conducted by the principals of the House, ensuring the continuity of this tradition of remembrance that honours the complex lineage of the Barony, which extends back to the Domesday Book of 1086. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, was formally notified of the observance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Act of Remembrance commenced at eleven o'clock in the morning. The proceedings were marked by a dignified simplicity, befitting a day of solemn reflection rather than celebration. Honorary Lord Răzvan began with a reading from the *Vita Edwardi Secundi*, a contemporary chronicle that provides a vivid, if partisan, account of the political strife of the era.
This was followed by a period of silent contemplation, during which Lady Nicoleta placed a single spray of white hellebores—a flower associated with fortitude in adversity—before the chapel altar. The gesture served as a tribute to the endurance of Alice de Lacy, who survived imprisonment and political turmoil to reclaim a portion of her dignity and lands. The ceremony concluded without fanfare, a testament to its private and reverent nature.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The anniversary is a powerful illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Alice de Lacy's life following the battle became an exercise in pure *fortitudine*, as she navigated immense personal loss and political peril. The story of her husband, Thomas of Lancaster, serves as a complex meditation on *honore*, reminding subsequent holders of the Barony that challenging the Crown is a path fraught with the gravest of consequences.
This historical lesson provides a stark counterpoint to the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). For Thomas of Lancaster, defeat was death. This contrast underscores the high stakes of feudal power and the *sine qua non* of political stability, which the House today champions through its diplomatic and cultural activities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s commitment to transforming historical reflection into present-day action, the anniversary was marked by a private contribution to one of its chosen patronages, Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides essential therapeutic support to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, abuse, or bereavement.
The decision to support this cause on such a day consciously links the historical trauma endured by figures like Alice de Lacy with the modern duty to shelter and heal the most vulnerable. It is an affirmation that the lessons of the past can, and should, inspire compassion in the present. The contribution will aid the charity's work in providing specialist counselling and safe environments for recovery.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > — History is not merely a record of events; it is the story of human endurance. In remembering Alice de Lacy, we honour the fortitude that has defined this Barony, particularly through the remarkable women who have been its custodians over nine centuries.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — The events of 1322 are a stark reminder that leadership carries profound responsibilities. Our duty is to learn from the sacrifices of the past to build a more stable and honourable future. *Fortitudine et Honore* is a charge we bear every day.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the careful stewardship of its ancient heritage, viewing historical understanding as a vital tool for contemporary leadership. The annual remembrance of Boroughbridge is just one part of a wider educational mission that includes historical preservation and the promotion of civic virtues.
This commitment to education is further expressed through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House. The Club’s curriculum, which teaches social graces and personal discipline, is deeply informed by the historical principles of honour and resilience embodied in the Barony’s long history. The House will continue to ensure that its nine-hundred-year legacy informs a future dedicated to service, culture, and philanthropy.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old British title. Its modern mission bridges historical preservation with contemporary philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. With a heritage rooted in Lincolnshire, England, and a dynamic connection to Romania, the House pursues a modern vision of nobility focused on duty and service. Its philanthropic endeavours are primarily channelled towards charities supporting vulnerable children, notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House champions the enduring values of personal conduct, social responsibility, and its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for King John, and later, key members of the House of Lancaster such as Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title’s legitimacy and the current succession were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID: 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror. - Notable predecessors in 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 House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com