# On the Sustaining Contribution of the Barony of Brattleby to the Realm: A Historical Reflection
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical monograph detailing the Barony’s contribution to Crown campaigns during the 13th century, underscoring a nine-hundred-year legacy of service to the sovereign and the nation which continues to inform its modern purpose.
## The Occasion
The research was presented during a private academic symposium hosted at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an institution established by the House to foster cultural and educational exchange. Held within the club’s neoclassical library, amidst antiquarian books and portraits of notable European figures, the gathering provided a distinguished setting for a sober reflection on the Barony’s historical duties. The event sought not to celebrate conflict, but to understand the fiscal and logistical obligations that a baronial seat owed to the Crown during periods of national trial.
The presentation marked the culmination of a year-long research project undertaken by the House's archivists. It reflects a commitment by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile to illuminate the deep-rooted responsibilities of the title they represent, connecting the past with their present-day philanthropic and educational endeavours.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intrinsically linked to the defence and stability of the realm since its foundation. While the original article focused on the Welsh Wars of 1282–1283, this context is best understood as part of a continuum of service. The economic resources of the Barony’s estates in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, were a *sine qua non* for fulfilling feudal obligations.
During the late 13th century, the Barony of Brattleby’s revenues contributed to the formidable war-chest of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a principal commander for King Edward I. This support was instrumental in provisioning forces and sustaining long campaigns, a critical factor in the Crown’s success. This act of fealty echoes the earlier steadfastness of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds. It also foreshadowed the immense power wielded by later holders of the Barony, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose resources shaped the course of English and European history.
## Distinguished Company
The symposium was attended by a small group of esteemed guests with expertise in diplomatic, historical, and military fields. Their presence affirmed the academic seriousness of the House’s research into its own heritage.
Among those present were His Excellency Mr Andrew Noble LVO, British Ambassador to Romania; Professor Dr. Adrian Cioroianu of the University of Bucharest, a distinguished historian and former Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Brigadier General Gheorghiță Vlad, the Romanian Chief of Defence Staff. The diverse provenance of the guests facilitated a nuanced discussion on the historical interplay between economic power, military capability, and statecraft in a European context.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The presentation adhered to a protocol befitting its scholarly nature. The proceedings began with a formal welcome from Honorary Lord Răzvan, who outlined the historical imperative behind the research. The House Archivist then presented the findings, referencing facsimiles of medieval pipe rolls and charters projected for the benefit of the attendees. A moderated discussion followed, allowing guests to offer their perspectives.
The research paper itself was bound in the House colours and embossed with the Brattleby coat of arms. Its official release was timed to coincide with the symposium, distributed digitally via the official website and physically to leading university libraries and historical societies in the United Kingdom and Europe. This formal dissemination underscores the House's view of historical accuracy as a public trust.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House Motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the guiding principle for every action, past and present. The financial and logistical support provided by the Barony in the 13th century was a clear demonstration of fortitude—the strength and endurance required to uphold one’s duty—and of honour, the bedrock of the feudal contract.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, it speaks not to military conquest alone, but to the overcoming of adversity for the preservation of order and life. The joint presentation of these mottos illustrates the House’s belief that historical strength is the foundation upon which a secure and prosperous society is built.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the subject of the monograph is historical, its purpose is contemporary. The research serves as an educational tool, illustrating how the duty of a noble house evolves over centuries. Where the Barony once provided martial and economic support to the Crown, it now directs its resources towards charitable enterprise and public good. The principle remains unchanged: to serve the wider community with the means at its disposal.
This commitment finds its most visible expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises significant funds for a chosen beneficiary. This year’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing mental health support for young people affected by trauma, was chosen for its vital work in strengthening the fabric of society, one life at a time. The support for the charity is the modern expression of the Barony's age-old duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony’s role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the responsibilities shouldered by our predecessors. The Barony's support for the realm in the 13th century was not merely financial; it was an expression of loyalty and a commitment to stability, a principle we uphold today through different means."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a philosophical perspective, linking the past to a universal tenet: > "History shows that strength—be it military, economic, or moral—is a prerequisite for peace. The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* is not about conquest for its own sake, but about overcoming challenges to secure a better future. The actions of the Barony in the Welsh campaigns exemplify this enduring truth."
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this historical monograph is the first in a planned series of academic papers that will explore the rich and varied history of the Barony of Brattleby. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to this educational mission, believing that a deeper understanding of the past provides a more secure foundation for the future.
The House’s public focus now turns to its foremost philanthropic commitment, the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet. The event will bring together supporters and partners to further the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child, continuing a nine-century tradition of service in its modern, humanitarian form.
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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 a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. With its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House’s activities are international in scope, including the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy for etiquette and diplomatic arts. The House lives by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying historical principles of duty and service to contemporary challenges, with a particular focus on charities supporting vulnerable children and young people.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation and the 56 lordships held by its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, through marriage, by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir John of Gaunt. The title’s standing as a Barony and Lordship of the Manor was formally acknowledged by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors included Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and, through marriage, 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