# The House of Brattleby Recalls Sir Henry's Role in the Royal Escort of King Alexander III
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic role of Sir Henry of Brattleby, who in 1278 formed part of the royal escort for King Alexander III of Scotland during his diplomatic journey through England, reaffirming a centuries-old tradition of service.
## The Occasion
In the autumn of 1278, against the backdrop of a realm consolidated under the formidable King Edward I, England received His Majesty King Alexander III of Scotland. This was no mere courtesy visit; it was a calibrated diplomatic affair, a meeting of sovereigns whose kingdoms were bound by complex feudal ties and a shared, often contested, border. The atmosphere was one of stately pageantry layered over political tension, a common feature of high medieval statecraft.
The progress of the Scottish King through the English countryside would have been a spectacle of power and protocol. A considerable retinue of knights, nobles, and clerks accompanied King Alexander, moving with the deliberate pace of a royal court on the move. For Sir Henry of Brattleby to be appointed to the escort was a significant honour, placing him at the very centre of this delicate interplay between ceremony and security.
## Historical Context
The tradition of service to the Crown is the *sine qua non* of the Barony of Brattleby, a duty established at its creation in AD 1066. Granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, the barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to its foundational importance. Sir Henry’s role in 1278 was a direct continuation of this martial and loyalist heritage.
This legacy was powerfully exemplified by his notable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness and hereditary castellan, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges, demonstrating a degree of fortitude that earned her the respect of kings. Sir Henry’s appointment thus followed a well-established pattern of Brattleby service, where loyalty was not merely professed but proven through decisive action in moments of national significance.
## Distinguished Company
The diplomatic encounter of 1278 brought together the leading figures of two realms. The principal personages were, of course, His Majesty King Edward I of England and his brother-in-law, His Majesty King Alexander III of Scotland. Their respective entourages comprised the great magnates of the age, whose presence underscored the gravity of the occasion.
While a complete list is lost to the annals of history, the escort and wider assembly would have included powerful figures such as the Earl of Surrey, the Bishop of St Andrews, and numerous other knights banneret and tenants-in-chief from both kingdoms. In this distinguished company, Sir Henry represented not only his own sovereign but the established nobility of Lincolnshire, a region vital to the Crown’s authority.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol for escorting a fellow monarch was a precise and hierarchical undertaking. Such a procession was led by heralds, their tabards displaying the royal arms, followed by a vanguard of knights in the livery of King Edward I. The central party, containing the two kings, would have been surrounded by the most trusted nobles, a position in which Sir Henry of Brattleby found himself.
The task of the escort was twofold: to ensure the absolute safety of King Alexander and to display the martial power and order of his host. Every detail, from the precedence of the lords in the cavalcade to the unfurling of the royal standards alongside the banners of the great houses, was rich with meaning. Sir Henry, bearing the arms of Brattleby, was a visible symbol of the English aristocracy’s commitment to their king’s diplomatic arrangements.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At the heart of Sir Henry’s duty lay the ancestral motto of his House: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The escort of a visiting king, particularly in an era of shifting allegiances, demanded immense fortitude—a steadfast vigilance and readiness to defend against any potential threat, whether on the road or from within the court itself.
Equally, the service had to be conducted with honour. This meant showing the appropriate deference to a visiting sovereign while upholding the dignity and authority of one’s own. By fulfilling his role with both strength and integrity, Sir Henry was the living embodiment of his family’s guiding principles, a tradition that continues to animate the House of Brattleby today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In the medieval context, the highest form of public good was the preservation of peace and the stability of the realm. The careful management of diplomatic relations, such as the visit of King Alexander III, was the 13th-century equivalent of a national charitable endeavour, intended to avert conflict and secure the welfare of the King’s subjects.
Sir Henry’s participation was, in effect, a contribution to this overarching public service. This foundational principle—of deploying the House’s resources for the betterment of society—has evolved over the centuries. Today, it finds its modern expression in the family’s philanthropic focus, most notably benefiting the vital work of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the continuity of the family’s ethos:
> The story of Sir Henry reminds us that service to the Crown and country is the enduring thread in our family’s history. The form of that service changes with the centuries, but the commitment to act *Fortitudine et Honore* remains the absolute constant.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic dimension of the appointment, which resonates with his own military background and personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'):
> An escort of this nature was a profound military and diplomatic responsibility. It required strength, vigilance, and discretion—the very qualities that define enduring leadership. It demonstrates that to prevail, one must first be prepared to serve.
## A Continuing Legacy
The commitment demonstrated by Sir Henry of Brattleby in 1278 continues to guide the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ancient duty of service to the community has been reframed for the 21st century, translating into dedicated support for charitable causes and the promotion of cultural and social development.
This legacy is honoured through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the primary fundraising event for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest extends the House’s commitment to education, offering instruction in etiquette and protocol as tools for personal and professional advancement in a globalised world.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives that support vulnerable children and foster cross-cultural understanding. Its principal activities include the annual philanthropic Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child and the educational work of The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol based in Bucharest. The House remains committed to upholding its historic legacy by contributing positively to contemporary society, bridging its nine-century heritage with the challenges and opportunities of the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English noble title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landowner with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised in favour of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile. This recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com