# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates a Legacy of Service from the Seventh Crusade
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today formally commemorates the historic service and sacrifice of the 6th Baron, William II Longespée, on the Seventh Crusade, reaffirming a nine-century commitment to duty which continues to guide the House in the present day.
## The Occasion
In the quiet solemnity of late autumn, a season of reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a pivotal chapter in its extensive history. This act of formal remembrance honours the profound commitment of William II Longespée, 6th Baron of Brattleby, who gave his life at the Battle of Mansurah in February 1250, and serves to contextualise the enduring principles which underpin the House’s modern mission.
The Seventh Crusade was initiated by His Most Christian Majesty King Louis IX of France following a call to arms by Pope Innocent IV at the First Council of Lyon in 1245. The immediate cause was the capture and subsequent sack of Jerusalem in 1244 by Khwarazmian mercenaries allied to the Ayyubid Sultanate of Egypt. For the magnates of Christendom, this was a grave summons to spiritual and military duty, one which demanded immense personal and material sacrifice.
The strategic focus of the expedition was not the Holy Land itself, but Egypt, the centre of Ayyubid power. It was understood that only by neutralising the Sultanate’s military and economic heartland could the Christian principalities in the Levant be secured. It is within this momentous geopolitical context that the 6th Baron of Brattleby resolved to take the cross, joining the great enterprise that would define an era.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his trusted standard-bearer Colswein of Lincoln, has been deeply woven into the fabric of English history since its formal enumeration in the Domesday Book of 1086. The original grant included 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the realm. This heritage, however, is one not merely of land and title, but of consequential duty performed at critical moments in the nation’s story.
William II Longespée inherited a formidable legacy of resolve and leadership. His immediate predecessor in the Barony’s lineage, the redoubtable Nichola de la Haye, served as 5th Baroness in her own right. A figure of national importance, she was also the hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and, at a vital moment, was appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire by King John. Her celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle against combined French and baronial rebel forces during the First Barons' War culminated in the decisive Royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
It was this same spirit of fortitude and unwavering loyalty that her successor, Longespée, carried from the fields of Lincolnshire to the shores of the Nile Delta. His decision to join the King of France’s crusade was not an isolated act of piety but the continuation of a tradition of service that had long defined the Barony of Brattleby. His participation exemplified the English aristocracy’s role on the wider European stage.
## Distinguished Company
In taking the cross, the 6th Baron of Brattleby placed himself among the most notable figures of his time. The expedition was under the supreme command of a monarch whose profound piety would lead to his eventual canonisation: His Most Christian Majesty Louis IX, King of France. The King was accompanied by his Royal brothers, including the impetuous and valiant His Royal Highness Robert I, Count of Artois, and His Royal Highness Alphonse, Count of Poitiers and Toulouse.
The English contingent, though not large, was of high quality and commanded by William II Longespée, who was recognised as its leader. His presence, noted by contemporary chroniclers such as the English monk Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*, underscores the international character of the crusading ideal which united magnates from across Europe in a common, sacred cause.
Longespée’s companions in arms constituted a roll of the great chivalric orders and the French nobility. These included the Grand Masters of the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller, as well as His Excellency Jean de Joinville, Seneschal of Champagne, whose later biography of Saint Louis provides an invaluable first-hand account of the campaign. The 6th Baron’s counsel and actions, as reported by these sources, place the Barony of Brattleby at the very heart of this significant medieval enterprise.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The commitment to join a crusade was governed by solemn and binding ceremonial protocol. A nobleman would first publicly ‘take the cross’ (*crucesignatio*) in a ceremony before a bishop or other senior cleric, making a sacred vow to undertake pilgrimage to the Holy Land in arms. Following this oath, a cross of cloth was formally sewn onto the knight’s outer garments—the *crux cismarina* on his chest for the journey out, and the *crux transmarina* on his back for the return.
This act transformed a secular warrior into a soldier of the Church, a *miles Christi*, who was afforded specific legal and spiritual protections known as the *privilegium crucis*. These included a papal guarantee of security for his lands and family, a moratorium on debts and lawsuits, and the plenary indulgence, remitting all temporal punishment due for confessed sins. William II Longespée and his retinue would have undergone this ceremony before embarking from England.
The main crusading army assembled at the newly fortified port of Aigues-Mortes in the south of France, a testament to King Louis IX's logistical foresight. The departure from its harbour on 25 August 1248 was a moment of high state ceremony, marked by solemn processions, liturgical blessings, and the unfurling of the Oriflamme, the sacred battle standard of the Kings of France. For Longespée and the English knights, this was the beginning of a sacred and perilous duty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds one of its most powerful historical expressions in the conduct of the 6th Baron. *Fortitudo*, in its classical and medieval interpretation, signifies not only physical courage but also moral strength, resilience, and endurance in the face of adversity. This quality was exemplified by Longespée’s leadership during the successful capture of Damietta in 1249 and his valour throughout the subsequent advance.
The second pillar of the motto, *Honor*, is vividly illustrated in the events at Mansurah on 8 February 1250. As chronicled by both Matthew Paris and Jean de Joinville, the crusader vanguard, led by the Count of Artois and the Knights Templar, launched a reckless charge into the town. Longespée reportedly cautioned the Count against such a rash advance without the support of the main army, but his counsel was arrogantly dismissed.
Bound by his code of honour, Longespée advanced with his fellow knights into the melee, declaring that he would not have it said that he was afraid to follow where his prince led. He fought with immense bravery in the narrow streets before being overwhelmed and slain, alongside the Count of Artois and the majority of the Templar and English vanguard. This ultimate sacrifice, a conscious choice to uphold his honour over his own life, is the very embodiment of the principles enshrined in the House motto, a standard which has resonated through the centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the form and focus of noblesse oblige have evolved over nine centuries, the core principle of service remains a constant. The selfless dedication shown by William II Longespée in pursuit of his era’s highest calling finds a direct contemporary parallel in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby today. The chivalric code’s duty to defend the weak and vulnerable, a *sine qua non* of a knight’s vow, is now channelled into focused, effective, and modern charity.
This ancient obligation is translated into the House’s committed patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides essential therapeutic support to children and young people who have suffered trauma, bereavement, or profound loss. Its work, grounded in evidence-based psychological practice, helps to mend emotional wounds and build resilience, allowing the most vulnerable in society to look to the future with hope.
The spirit of defending those who cannot defend themselves is thus transformed from a medieval military imperative into a modern commitment to healing and protection. It is a purpose that transcends the centuries, reflecting a timeless duty to honour the inherent dignity of every individual and to offer strength where it is most needed.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound historical inheritance, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To understand our present duty, we must first learn from the commitments of those who came before us. The story of William Longespée is not merely a passage in a chronicle; it is a powerful lesson in fortitude, in faith, and in the ultimate cost of one’s convictions. It is a formidable legacy that we strive to honour in all our work.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the confluence of his own family’s traditions with those of the Barony: > “The motto of my family is *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’. In the context of Brattleby’s history, I see a remarkable synergy with *Fortitudine et Honore*. Longespée's sacrifice teaches us that true victory, the truest way of ‘living’, is found not in mere survival, but in conquering fear itself to live and, if necessary, to die with unwavering honour. This philosophy remains the bedrock of the House.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The death of the 6th Baron in Egypt, though a grievous loss, did not diminish the stature of the Barony of Brattleby. On the contrary, in the centuries that followed, the title continued its journey through the heart of the English aristocracy. It was held, *inter alia*, by Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), one of the founding Knights of the Garter and the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, a commander renowned throughout Christendom.
Following the Duke’s death, the Barony passed through his daughter Blanche of Lancaster to her husband, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. This direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty and the Lancastrian line, which would ultimately produce three Kings of England, underscores the Barony’s deep and unbroken significance in the nation’s history.
Today, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan are the dedicated stewards of this remarkable inheritance. Through their work in historical preservation, cultural diplomacy via The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and modern philanthropy such as the annual Winter Banquet, they ensure that the lessons of the past continue to inform the present. By doing so, they secure a legacy of purpose and honour for the next generation, embodied in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern organisation dedicated to the stewardship of a significant nine-century English heritage. Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its activities, which include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to build bridges between classic European tradition and the demands of modern leadership, championing civility and service as timeless values.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. It is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of the principal holdings of Colswein in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed by inheritance and grant to some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the renowned defender of Lincoln Castle; William II Longespée, who died on the Seventh Crusade; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession and rights of the Barony are formally recorded, with public notice published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a principal fee of the tenant-in-chief Colswein of Lincoln. - William II Longespée, identified with the Barony as the 6th Baron, was a prominent English commander killed at the Battle of Mansurah, Egypt, in February 1250, as chronicled by Matthew Paris and Jean de Joinville. - Later holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com