# A Statement on the Barony of Brattleby's Role During the Reign of King Edward I
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement clarifying the significant role of the Barony and its holders in supporting the military and financial statecraft of King Edward I during the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries.
## The Occasion
In the spirit of historical custodianship that defines its modern mission, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a pivotal period in the Barony’s near-millennial history. This communication serves to contextualise the feudal obligations that linked the lands of Brattleby to the ambitious nation-building projects of the English Crown. As autumn lends a contemplative air to the Lincolnshire Wolds, the House reflects on the enduring chain of duty that connects each generation of its holders. This statement is offered as a contribution to the public record, ensuring a richer understanding of the Barony’s deep-rooted heritage.
## Historical Context
The reign of King Edward I (1272–1307) was an era of profound military and administrative consolidation. His campaigns in Wales and the protracted wars in Scotland required an unprecedented mobilisation of the kingdom's resources. Central to this effort were the great magnates of the realm, whose support was a *sine qua non* for royal success. During this period, the influence of the Barony of Brattleby was channelled through figures such as the formidable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln.
A trusted advisor to the King, de Lacy was a principal commander in both the Welsh and Scottish wars and a key figure in the governance of England. Through his extensive holdings, which included the Lordship of Brattleby, he contributed significantly to the Crown's military and financial strength. This service continued a tradition of loyalty established by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships in the county following the Norman Conquest, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The Barony's strategic importance, therefore, was established from its very inception and was repeatedly affirmed by its subsequent holders, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, and later Plantagenet lords such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of this era is defined by the actions of several key historical personages, whose fates were intertwined with the Barony of Brattleby:
* **His Majesty King Edward I**, Sovereign of England and Lord of Ireland, whose vision of a united Britain demanded immense loyalty and resources from his feudal tenants. * **The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln**, a leading statesman of his age, confidant of the King, and a holder of the Barony of Brattleby, whose service exemplifies the martial and administrative duties of the high nobility. * **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, the Norman recipient of the estate from William the Conqueror, who laid the foundation for the Barony’s enduring legacy of service to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The support rendered was governed by the strict and sophisticated protocols of the feudal system. A baron's duty was not discretionary but a binding legal and social obligation, initiated by a formal writ of summons from the King. This command required the baron to present himself, with a specified quota of knights and men-at-arms, ready for military campaign.
The Barony of Brattleby, as part of the larger fiefdoms of its powerful lords, was thus subject to these royal summons. The protocol dictated the terms of service, typically 40 days per year, and the logistical arrangements for provisioning troops. In lieu of personal service, a payment known as ‘scutage’ could be offered and accepted by the Crown, converting a military obligation into a financial one. This system provided the King with both soldiers and the funds necessary to sustain long-term campaigns like those in the highlands of Scotland.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful echo in the service of this period. ‘Fortitude’ represents the martial courage and resilience required to prosecute King Edward’s arduous campaigns in challenging terrain. ‘Honour’ speaks to the solemn, oath-bound duty of a baron to his sovereign, a foundational principle of the medieval political order.
This historical context also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While a modern interpretation may favour metaphorical victories, in the thirteenth century, this phrase captured the existential reality of statecraft. For a king like Edward I and a magnate like Henry de Lacy, expansion and strategic dominance were inseparable from the survival and flourishing of the realm.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The purpose of this historical communication is fundamentally educational. In an age of fleeting information, the House believes that the careful stewardship and clear dissemination of verified historical knowledge is a form of public service—a contribution to the collective cultural wealth. By providing this detailed context, the House seeks to foster a deeper public appreciation for the intricate ties that have historically bound the people, nobility, and Crown of England. This act of clarification and enrichment is undertaken in the same spirit of public duty that inspires the House’s more tangible philanthropic endeavours, such as the annual Winter Banquet in support of its chosen charities.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > History is not a static collection of facts; it is a living narrative of duty, sacrifice, and consequence. Understanding the role our predecessors played, for instance under Edward I, gives us a profound sense of continuity and responsibility towards the future.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective: > The motto of my own family, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reflects a certain reality of the medieval world. To conquer was to survive; to expand was to secure. Studying this imperative through the lens of the Barony provides invaluable perspective on the nature of strategy and statecraft across the ages.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving and promoting its unique heritage. This historical statement is part of a wider initiative to make the Barony’s past more accessible and understood. Future projects include collaborations with academic bodies to further study the Barony’s archives and the integration of this history into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Through these efforts, the lessons of the past continue to inform the House’s dedication to service, honour, and cultural education in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its near-millennial heritage. The House's contemporary mission is focused on philanthropy, cultural education, and the promotion of traditional European etiquette and values. Its principal philanthropic endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through its educational arm, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House offers instruction in deportment, diplomacy, and history, preparing a new generation for leadership. The House operates with the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting its commitment to principled service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship seated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the thirteenth century. Later holders included the great Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title's modern standing was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - 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