# A Statement on the Plantagenet and Lancastrian Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony’s medieval history, particularly its union with the Plantagenet dynasty, a legacy of sovereign service that continues to inform the responsibilities of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has concluded a formal review of its archival records, timed to coincide with the changing of the autumn season. This scholarly initiative represents more than a simple historical reflection; it is an act of conscientious stewardship, seeking to draw a clear and unbroken line from the foundational principles of its earliest custodians to the contemporary duties of the title.
This period of study has focused on charters, deeds, and chronicles that illuminate the Barony's pivotal transition during the 13th and 14th centuries. It is an occasion undertaken to reinforce the long thread of continuity that runs from the Norman Conquest to the present day. This temporal chain is the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s identity and provides the framework for its enduring commitment to public service and the nation.
The research serves to animate the nearly millennial history of the Barony, ensuring its profound lessons in duty, loyalty, and governance remain relevant. The findings reaffirm the historical responsibilities inherent in the title, which are now upheld in a modern context by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and their heir.
## Historical Context
Established by a grant from William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where Colswein of Lincoln was documented as holding 56 lordships in the county. The Barony’s stature grew significantly under the tenure of its formidable 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, a stateswoman of remarkable ability who served as hereditary castellan and Sheriff of Lincolnshire.
In 1217, during the First Barons' War, Nichola de la Haye’s valiant defence of Lincoln Castle against invading French and rebel forces at the Second Battle of Lincoln was instrumental in securing the English throne for the young King Henry III. Her loyalty and military acumen preserved royal authority at a moment of profound national crisis.
Upon the death of this exceptional figure, the Barony passed through her descendants. The subsequent marriage of her granddaughter, Idonea de Camville, to William Longespée II brought a direct connection to the Plantagenet royal house. William II was the son of the Earl of Salisbury and a grandson of King Henry II, thereby weaving the Brattleby lineage directly into the fabric of English royalty. This connection extended to the Crown's international endeavours, most notably the Seventh Crusade, where Sir William fought and died at the Battle of Al Mansurah in 1250, an event chronicled by Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*.
This Plantagenet link later passed to two of the most powerful men of the late Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III whose influence shaped English politics for a generation.
## Distinguished Company
The medieval history of the Barony of Brattleby is defined by a distinguished company of figures whose actions shaped the course of the nation. This eminent procession of individuals, bound by duty to the Crown and to Lincolnshire, established a formidable precedent for service.
Among them are, *inter alia*: Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, a trusted Norman magnate entrusted by William the Conqueror with securing a vital county after the Conquest; and Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose administrative skill and martial courage as Sheriff of Lincolnshire demonstrated that leadership was a matter of character, not gender.
The lineage was further ennobled by its connection to the royal court through William Longespée II, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, a knight of royal blood who personified the chivalric ideals of his era. The Barony reached a new apogee of influence under Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron. A renowned military commander in the Hundred Years' War and a key English diplomat, he was created the first Duke of Lancaster and was a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter.
Finally, there was John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster and a son of King Edward III. As one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century, his tenure placed the Barony at the very centre of national and European affairs, embodying the ultimate synthesis of feudal power and royal service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the High Middle Ages, the transfer of feudal titles was governed by precise and solemn ceremonial protocol, reinforcing the hierarchical structure of society. The succession of a barony through a female line, as occurred with Nichola de la Haye, was an established principle of Anglo-Norman law, allowing a title and its associated lands to pass *suo jure* (in her own right) to an heiress. The subsequent marriage of such a high-born lady invariably required royal assent, as it directly influenced the allegiance of strategic assets like castles and manors.
When Idonea de Camville married William Longespée II, he became Lord of Brattleby *jure uxoris*, meaning 'by right of his wife'. To formalise this, Sir William would have performed homage to the King. This venerable ritual involved kneeling, placing his clasped hands between those of the sovereign, and pledging to become his ‘man of life and limb’. This was followed by an oath of fealty, a sacred promise of loyalty sworn upon a relic or the Gospels. This binding ceremony was the cornerstone of the feudal contract, reinforcing the Barony’s role as an instrument of the Crown—a duty to the nation that the modern House of Brattleby continues to honour in its own commitments.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby is enshrined in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a direct evocation of the cardinal virtues displayed by its most notable predecessors. The *fortitude* of Nichola de la Haye in defending Lincoln Castle, and the *honour* with which John of Gaunt navigated the complex diplomacy of his age, are not merely historical footnotes; they are guiding principles for today.
This foundational motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is understood not as a call to martial conquest but as a commitment to strive and to lead. It translates the ambitious, forward-looking spirit of predecessors like Henry of Grosmont into a contemporary dedication to achieving meaningful success in philanthropic and cultural spheres. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful dialectic: one rooted in the enduring honour of the past, the other driving purposeful action for the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical concept of *noblesse oblige*—the unwritten obligation of the nobility to act with generosity and honour towards the wider community—remains a core tenet for The Noble House of Brattleby. This ancient responsibility to serve the realm and its people has evolved across nine centuries into a modern commitment to support the most vulnerable in society. This is expressed most vividly through the House's annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie philanthropic gala represents the centrepiece of the House's charitable calendar. Each year, it raises significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing critical therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and serious adversity. The charity delivers evidence-based interventions, including play and art therapy, to help young people process their experiences and build resilience for the future.
The House’s selection of this cause reflects a deeply held belief that true honour, in the 21st century, is found in shielding the most defenceless. The Winter Banquet serves not only as a fundraising event but also as a platform to advocate for the importance of mental health support for young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formidable legacy she has inherited, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "To study the life of Nichola de la Haye is to be reminded that fortitude and honour are not abstract ideals, but the very foundation of enduring stewardship. Her resolve to protect her community and uphold her duty to the Crown, in the most testing of circumstances, remains the standard to which we hold ourselves accountable in our own service today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the international dimension of the Barony's history: — "The Plantagenet and Lancastrian eras brought an outward-looking perspective to Brattleby, connecting it to the great affairs of Europe. That same spirit—to engage beyond one's immediate sphere, to strive, and to innovate—informs our approach. In this sense, *Vincere Est Vivere* represents our commitment to achieving measurable, positive outcomes, both for the causes we serve in the United Kingdom and through our cultural work abroad."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is profoundly committed to ensuring its significant heritage is not only preserved but also actively animated for the benefit of future generations. This duty of transmission is central to the upbringing of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep appreciation for the near-millennium of English history he will one day inherit, and the responsibilities of service that are implicit within it.
Beyond its archival and philanthropic work, the House seeks to promote the timeless values of decorum, civility, and social responsibility through its educational initiatives. The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established by the House in Bucharest, serves as a cultural bridge, fostering an appreciation for the codes of conduct that facilitate international understanding and mutual respect. By understanding its deep past, the House fortifies its resolve for a future defined by purpose and an unwavering dedication to its founding principles: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern custodian of one of England’s ancient feudal baronies. The House is dedicated to preserving its unique nine-century heritage while championing contemporary philanthropy and cultural education. Grounded in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children, principally through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also promotes civic and cultural values. The future of the lineage is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will continue the family’s commitment to service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England seated in Lincolnshire. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its 56 constituent lordships as a holding of the great Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and confirmed by the Crown and gazetted in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was created by grant of HM King William I in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a principal holding of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The modern rights of the Barony were formally recognised by The Crown and promulgated in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com