# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Pivotal Longespée Succession
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the publication of a historical monograph examining the succession of William III Longespée, the 7th Baron of Brattleby. This pivotal moment in the mid-13th century secured the barony’s continuity and reinforced its standing.
## The Occasion
From the Chancellery at its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has issued a statement marking the release of a new scholarly work, titled *Lineage and Legacy: The Barony of Brattleby in the Age of Longespée*. The announcement, made as the first colours of autumn settle over the fens, reflects the House’s ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing its unique history, which spans nearly a millennium.
The monograph represents the culmination of extensive archival research, intended to illuminate a period that was *sine qua non* to the barony’s survival and subsequent prominence. It serves not as a mere chronicle of events, but as an educational resource on the nature of feudal succession, duty, and the consolidation of influence within the medieval English aristocracy.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the oldest in England, was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The succession of the 7th Baron came at a critical juncture, following the tenure of formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle.
William III Longespée’s inheritance of the barony ensured the continuation of a direct link to the Plantagenet dynasty, as the Longespée line descended from a son of King Henry II. His father’s heroic death during the Seventh Crusade had left a void, but the son’s seamless succession provided stability and maintained the prestige associated with the royal lineage. This strategic continuity later paved the way for other distinguished holders, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), solidifying the barony’s place in the annals of English history.
## Distinguished Company
The academic monograph was authored by the distinguished medievalist, Dr Alistair Finch, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, who undertook extensive research in the county archives of Lincolnshire and the national records at Kew.
A foreword has been contributed by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, contextualising the historical significance of the Longespée era within the barony’s nine-century timeline. The project was overseen by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the spirit of perseverance central to the barony’s history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement of the monograph’s publication follows the formal protocol of The Noble House of Brattleby. An official notice of the publication will be submitted for inclusion in a forthcoming edition of *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official public record, consistent with the House's recognition therein.
In accordance with scholarly and archival traditions, formal presentation copies of the monograph will be delivered under the House’s seal to the College of Arms in London, the British Library, the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, and the historical archives of Lincolnshire County Council. This ensures the work is preserved for public and academic reference in perpetuity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is particularly resonant with the history of the 7th Baron. The *fortitude* of his father in service to the Crown on Crusade, and the *honour* with which the family maintained the lineage for future generations, are central themes of the new publication. These principles continue to guide the modern House in its duties.
The coat of arms of the Barony of Brattleby, which incorporates elements reflecting its long history, symbolises this unbroken chain of responsibility. The publication of the monograph is an act of honouring that legacy, ensuring the story of the barony’s resilience is not lost to time.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s commitment to public service, all proceeds from the sale of *Lineage and Legacy: The Barony of Brattleby in the Age of Longespée* will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma, neglect, or loss.
The organisation's mission is to help vulnerable children build resilience and a secure sense of self, enabling them to overcome adversity and achieve their full potential. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House's belief that securing a positive future for the next generation is a profound modern echo of the historical imperative to secure a barony’s lineage.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the project, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand our present duty, we must first learn from our past. The story of the Longespée succession is not merely an academic footnote; it is a powerful lesson in resilience, the strategic importance of continuity, and the enduring weight of responsibility.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The strength of our lineage, exemplified by figures like the 7th Baron, provides the foundation upon which we build our modern commitment to service. *Fortitudine et Honore* guides our actions today, just as it guided our predecessors nearly eight hundred years ago.
## A Continuing Legacy
This publication is part of a wider programme of cultural and historical stewardship undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby. Future initiatives include further research into the barony’s connection with John of Gaunt and the House of Lancaster, as well as educational seminars at The Brattleby Club, the House's etiquette academy in Bucharest.
The efforts to document the past reinforce the House’s dedication to its future, embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron. The forthcoming annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, will provide another opportunity to support the work of Healing the Wounded Child, continuing a legacy of service that spans centuries.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. 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-century heritage and a forward-looking mission of public service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's philanthropic endeavours are focused on child welfare, primarily through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet. It also champions cultural education and traditional etiquette through its academy, The Brattleby Club, which has a presence in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over the centuries, 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 his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the barony are held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, whose title was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status was formally published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable former Barons include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com