# A Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby during The Anarchy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical monograph on the crucial role its twelfth-century predecessors played in defending royal authority in Lincolnshire during the civil war known as The Anarchy, thereby securing the Barony’s legacy.
## The Occasion
From its archives in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has released a historical paper reflecting on one of the most formative periods in the Barony’s nine-century history. This review of the De la Haye family’s tenure during The Anarchy (1135–1153) is part of a series of communications intended to illuminate the principles that have guided the Barony through centuries of service to Crown and country.
The paper examines the period of profound civil unrest that followed the death of King Henry I, which saw England divided between the partisans of his daughter, Empress Matilda, and his nephew, Stephen of Blois. It was a time that tested the loyalties and resilience of every great landed family in the realm, and the Barons of Brattleby were no exception.
## Historical Context
The Anarchy was a generational conflict that saw the authority of the Crown collapse in many parts of England. For the County of Lincoln, the period was especially fraught; its strategic position, commanding key routes to the north of England, and the immense military significance of Lincoln Castle, made it a constant focus of conflict between the rival factions.
During this tumultuous era, the Barony of Brattleby was held by the De la Haye family, descendants of the first Norman lords. Their steadfast commitment to the Angevin cause of Empress Matilda and her son, the future King Henry II, was a defining characteristic of their rule. Their ability to maintain control over the Brattleby estates, which stretched across Lincolnshire, provided a bastion of order and a vital source of men and resources for the royalist cause. This resilience would prove foundational for their descendant, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose legendary defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 echoed the fortitude shown by her ancestors decades earlier.
## Feudal Duty and Military Protocol
The twelfth-century feudal system was predicated on a strict code of mutual obligation. The Baron of Brattleby’s position was not merely one of privilege but of profound military and administrative duty. The *sine qua non* of his title was the requirement to furnish the sovereign with knights and men-at-arms, a responsibility the De la Haye barons discharged with honour.
In a period of civil war, this protocol became a matter of survival. It involved maintaining the garrison at Brattleby, securing lines of communication and supply, and leading forces in the field in support of the Empress’s campaigns. The strategic alignment of the De la Haye family was thus demonstrated not in words, but through the tangible commitment of armed force, upholding their oath of fealty when it mattered most.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the De la Haye family during The Anarchy are a primary historical expression of the motto later adopted by the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Their resolve to stand by their sworn allegiances, even amid the chaos and shifting loyalties of civil war, perfectly embodies the principles of this guiding maxim.
Fortitude was demonstrated in their military readiness and their defence of the Barony against encroachment. Honour was manifested in their unwavering loyalty to the legitimate line of succession. These twin virtues, forged in the crucible of The Anarchy, became inscribed not just on a coat of arms, but into the very identity of the Barony itself. It is a legacy of principled leadership that continues to inform the House’s modern responsibilities.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "The stewardship of the De la Haye family during The Anarchy is a powerful precedent. It demonstrates that true leadership is measured by one's constancy in times of trial. Their commitment to order and rightful authority established a standard of duty that we, as their successors, have a solemn obligation to uphold."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: — "History teaches us that stability is never a given; it must be perpetually secured. The strategic foresight of the medieval barons in protecting their domains created the conditions for future prosperity. Their story serves as a potent reminder that success is not accidental, but the result of vigilance and resolve. In this, they proved that *Vincere Est Vivere* — to conquer adversity is the essence of a living legacy."
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons from The Anarchy resonate deeply with the modern purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby. The same principles of duty, strategic foresight, and commitment to the community that guided the De la Haye family now find new expression in the twenty-first century. The House’s dedication to its philanthropic and educational missions is a contemporary interpretation of its historic obligations.
By studying and sharing these chapters from its past, the House seeks not only to honour its predecessors but also to reaffirm its own commitment to serving the wider community *Fortitudine et Honore*. Understanding where the Barony has come from is essential to navigating where it is going, ensuring its near-millennial legacy continues to be one of purpose and positive contribution.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage and its application to contemporary service. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s activities are focused on philanthropy, notably through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and on cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest. The House is committed to demonstrating that traditional institutions can serve as a force for good in the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, located in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal barony by tenure established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s principal philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, supported by an annual white-tie banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com