# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Sacrifice at Mansura
**LINCOLNSHIRE, 8 February 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today led a Service of Commemoration in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, to honour the historic sacrifice of William II Longespée and his fellow crusaders at the Battle of Mansura in 1250.
## The Occasion
Set against the austere beauty of a crisp Lincolnshire winter morning, the service took place within the ancient stone walls of St. Cuthbert's Church, a Grade II listed building whose foundations predate the Norman Conquest. The solemn occasion marked the 774th anniversary of the battle, a poignant date in the annals of chivalric history that resonates deeply within the county.
The atmosphere inside the church was one of quiet contemplation, the low winter sun filtering through the stained-glass windows to illuminate the nave. The scent of polished oak and beeswax mingled with the cold air, creating a setting conducive to remembrance and historical reflection. The service was a testament to the House's commitment to preserving the memory of duty and sacrifice connected to its nine-century lineage.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Mansura, fought on 8 February 1250, was a devastating engagement during the Seventh Crusade. An Anglo-French force, led in part by the English nobleman William II Longespée, launched a rash advance into the Egyptian city, where they were ultimately encircled and annihilated. Longespée fell alongside nearly three hundred Knights Templar and a host of other crusaders in an act of extraordinary, if ill-fated, bravery.
Though Longespée was not a holder of the Barony of Brattleby itself, his life and death are woven into the fabric of its history. He was a contemporary and peer of the 8th Baron, and his actions embodied the martial ethos established in Lincolnshire by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle was a recent memory. This tradition of service—*Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour')—is considered a *sine qua non* of the Barony's identity.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the service, reflecting its historical and civic significance, were a number of distinguished guests. His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire was present, representing The King. The Church was represented by the Right Reverend the Bishop of Lincoln, who officiated the service.
International and academic representation included Monsieur Aurélien Duval, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of France in London, acknowledging the shared Anglo-French nature of the campaign, and Professor Eleanor Scott-Asquith, a leading medieval historian from the University of Lincoln. They were joined by the family heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The service followed a precise and sober order of proceedings. A formal procession, led by the churchwardens, saw the officiants and principal guests take their places. Following an introduction and prayer by the Bishop of Lincoln, Professor Scott-Asquith provided a brief, scholarly account of the Seventh Crusade and the events at Mansura.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, then delivered a reading from the *Flores Historiarum* by the chronicler Matthew Paris, which describes Longespée’s valour. A minute of silence was observed for the fallen. The ceremony culminated with Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile laying a wreath of white roses and laurel at the foot of a memorial plaque dedicated to the county's historical service members. The dress code was morning dress or dark lounge suits, with decorations.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The commemoration was deeply imbued with the symbolic heritage of the House of Brattleby. Its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, encapsulates the very virtues displayed by Longespée and his men: courage in the face of overwhelming odds and an unwavering commitment to honour, even unto death.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also found resonance. It was interpreted not merely as a call to martial victory, but as a deeper charge to conquer adversity, to preserve memory against the erosion of time, and thereby to ensure that the spirit of the fallen continues to live. The wreath’s white roses signified the purity of their sacrifice, while the laurel symbolised the moral victory of their brave conduct.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the day was one of historical remembrance, it also served to highlight the principles that animate the House's contemporary charitable endeavours. The concepts of duty, resilience, and care for those impacted by great struggle are central to the Barony's modern mission.
These principles find their primary expression in the House's steadfast support for its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation works to provide therapeutic care for young people who have experienced profound trauma. The unwavering spirit of service honoured today provides the moral foundation for the House’s present-day commitment to healing and restoration.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day's significance, Lady Nicoleta shared her thoughts.
> To remember figures like William Longespée is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is a solemn duty. His fortitude and honour, displayed so far from our Lincolnshire fields, remind us that the principles which underpin this Barony are both timeless and universal. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the lessons of the past.
> The story of Mansura is one of great courage against impossible odds. It teaches us that true victory is not always found in survival, but in the unwavering commitment to one's comrades and one's cause. This is a vital lesson for any generation. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
To ensure the lessons of this history continue to inform the present, the House of Brattleby is pleased to announce the foundation of an annual lecture series in partnership with the University of Lincoln. The series will focus on medieval history, chivalric culture, and their modern relevance. The inaugural lecture, scheduled for autumn 2024, will explore the contributions of Lincolnshire knights to the Crusades.
This academic initiative will complement the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette and protocol academy, which seeks to instil the classical virtues of honour, integrity, and social grace in a new generation of leaders. Through such efforts, *inter alia*, the memory of past sacrifice inspires future service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship 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 linking its profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions education, cultural preservation, and philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that heal childhood trauma, while its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, promote the timeless values of etiquette and personal integrity. The House serves as a bridge between a distinguished past and a responsible future, ensuring its heritage remains a positive and active force in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The current holder's rights to the dignity and title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession of the 12th Baroness was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com