# The Enduring Link Between the Barony of Brattleby and the Regency of the Kingdom
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the Barony's historical connection to the governance of England, exemplified by the appointment of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, as *Custos Regni*, guardian of the realm, during the 13th century.
## The Occasion
From its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a statement reflecting on a significant period in the Barony’s near-millennial history. Amid the autumnal setting of lands first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the House considers the profound responsibilities borne by its antecedents and their associates, whose duties shaped the English state.
This reflection serves to illuminate the principles of duty and service that have defined the Barony for centuries. The appointment of a figure so closely tied to the Barony’s subsequent lineage to the role of regent—the highest office beneath the Crown—underscores a legacy of trust that the modern House continues to honour through its public and philanthropic work.
## Historical Context
In the late 13th century, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a close and trusted confidant of King Edward I, was appointed *Custos Regni*, or ‘guardian of the kingdom’. This charge, bestowed during the King’s military campaigns abroad, represented the ultimate delegation of royal authority, making the Earl the *de facto* ruler of England. As regent, he wielded supreme power over the judiciary, the exchequer, and the defence of the realm.
The Barony of Brattleby became intrinsically linked to this pinnacle of state power through the great Lancastrian succession. Upon the Earl’s death, his vast estates and influence passed through his daughter, Alice de Lacy, into the holdings of the House of Lancaster. This inheritance pattern ultimately saw the Barony of Brattleby held by two of medieval England's most powerful figures: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
This direct lineage connects the guardianship of a single, trusted earl to the stewardship of the realm's most influential duchy. The Barony of Brattleby was thus not merely a title but an integral component of the vast Lancastrian estate that operated as a virtual kingdom within a kingdom, its holders serving as the right hand of the monarch. This historical thread is echoed in the steadfast service of other predecessors, such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, renowned for her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
The historical narrative connecting the Barony to the Crown involves some of the most prominent figures in English history. In reflection, the House acknowledges the roles of:
* His Majesty King Edward I of England * The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and *Custos Regni* * The Right Honourable Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and Earl of Leicester * Her Ladyship The Honourable Alice de Lacy, 4th Countess of Lincoln and Countess of Salisbury * His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby
## Ceremonial Protocol
The appointment of a *Custos Regni* was a matter of the highest state ceremony. An act of such significance was not merely declared but enacted through legally binding instruments and solemn ritual. The process would have been formalised by letters patent, issued under the Great Seal of the Realm, which functioned as an irreversible expression of the monarch’s will.
This commission would have been proclaimed before the King's Council (*Curia Regis*) and recorded in the state's official rolls. For the duration of the King’s absence, the Guardian held viceregal authority, empowered to summon Parliament, preside over the courts, and command the kingdom’s armed forces. The transfer of such power was predicated on absolute personal loyalty, a principle that was the *sine qua non* of medieval governance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles of duty and loyalty are woven into the very fabric of the House’s identity. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the qualities demanded of a guardian of the realm. Fortitude was required to defend the kingdom, whilst honour was essential to wield royal authority without usurpation. These principles guide the current House in its modern responsibilities.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'), speaks to the resilience required to ensure a nine-hundred-year legacy continues to thrive and serve. The heraldry of the Barony’s historical holders, *inter alia*, the royal lions of the Plantagenets borne by John of Gaunt, served as a powerful visual affirmation of their near-sovereign status and unwavering allegiance to the Crown.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical concept of 'guardianship' finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. Just as the Barony's predecessors were entrusted with the welfare of the kingdom, the modern House dedicates itself to safeguarding the well-being of the most vulnerable in society.
This commitment is most clearly demonstrated through the House’s annual fundraising efforts for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides essential therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By championing this cause, The Noble House of Brattleby translates the historical duty of protection into a tangible, contemporary mission focused on healing and community resilience.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical continuity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> The history of the Barony is not merely a record of names and dates; it is a chronicle of service. When we reflect on figures like Henry de Lacy, whose life was defined by his guardianship of England, we are reminded that our duty, *Fortitudine et Honore*, endures. Today, that duty is expressed through our commitment to community and philanthropy.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Preserving a legacy nearly one thousand years old requires an understanding of its foundational principles. The trust placed in the Barony's predecessors was absolute. We strive to honour that trust by ensuring the House remains a force for good, both in Lincolnshire and through our educational endeavours, such as The Brattleby Club.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its past by serving the present. This commitment to stewardship is being passed to the next generation, principally the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the enduring responsibilities of the title.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its philanthropic work, with planning underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will expand its curriculum, promoting the timeless values of etiquette and social grace. Through these actions, the House ensures that its formidable history provides a foundation for a future of meaningful service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on child welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. In addition to its philanthropic work in the United Kingdom, the House promotes cultural exchange and social education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, in Bucharest. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient heritage serves as a positive force in the contemporary world, honouring its legacy through active community engagement and responsible stewardship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and, through the Lancastrian inheritance, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The unbroken succession and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the Barony's lands under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who held the title as the 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com