# A Statement on the Legacy of Fortitude and Honour During The Anarchy
**LONDON, 23 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal reflection upon the pivotal role of its predecessors during The Anarchy, the 12th-century civil war, and their unwavering commitment to upholding order and royal authority in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
As the autumn colours settle upon the ancient fields of Lincolnshire, it is a season for reflection on the foundations of heritage and duty. It is in this spirit that the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a defining chapter from its near-millennium of history: the steadfastness of the De la Haye family, then Barons of Brattleby, during a period of profound national division.
This statement serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a sober acknowledgement of the resilience required to preserve continuity and protect the populace. The actions taken during those tumultuous years, from approximately 1135 to 1153, were a *sine qua non* for the survival of the Barony and its capacity to serve the Crown and the county for centuries to come.
## Historical Context
The period known as The Anarchy, a succession crisis between King Stephen and Empress Matilda, plunged the Kingdom of England into nearly two decades of civil war and lawlessness. Lincolnshire, with its strategic fortress at Lincoln Castle, became a critical theatre of the conflict. The Barony of Brattleby, established in 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, was intrinsically linked to the Castle’s fate.
During this era, the De la Haye Barons of Brattleby demonstrated remarkable political acumen and military fortitude. By aligning with the royalist cause, they not only secured their own estates amidst widespread volatility but also contributed decisively to the defence of Lincoln. This legacy of loyalty would directly inform the tenure of their descendant, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, whose later defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 proved equally vital to the realm.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of this period is shaped by figures of historical consequence, whose decisions determined the course of the nation. The primary protagonists were:
* His Majesty King Stephen of England, Duke of Normandy * Her Imperial Majesty The Empress Matilda, Lady of the English * The Barons De la Haye, Hereditary Constables of Lincoln Castle and Barons of Brattleby
The steadfastness of the Barons of Brattleby in their feudal obligations to the Crown provided a crucial anchor of stability in a region frequently beset by shifting allegiances and military campaigns.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 12th century, the protocol of duty was not one of courtly ceremony but of martial obligation and feudal law. As tenants-in-chief holding their lands directly from the monarch, the Barons of Brattleby were bound by an oath of fealty. This sacred commitment demanded they provide *servitium debitum*, or the service owed, which included raising knights and soldiers for the King’s army.
The defence of a strategic asset like Lincoln Castle was the highest expression of this duty. It involved maintaining the garrison, securing supply lines, and commanding the castle’s defences against siege. This was the unwritten, yet paramount, protocol of the age; a baron’s honour was measured by his steadfastness in fulfilling these solemn responsibilities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most powerful expression in the actions of the De la Haye barons. Their conduct during The Anarchy was a practical demonstration of this principle, centuries before its formal adoption. Fortitude was shown in their defence of Lincoln against great odds; Honour was revealed in their unwavering loyalty to the Crown amidst chaos.
This historical precedent resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It suggests that true victory lies not merely in battle, but in overcoming adversity to ensure that life, order, and civilisation may flourish.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The restoration of order from chaos is a theme that transcends the centuries. The De la Haye family’s struggle to secure peace and stability for the people of Lincolnshire in the 12th century finds a modern parallel in the House’s present-day philanthropic focus. The determination to mend a fractured realm then is conceptually echoed in the mission of the House's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation works to restore peace to the lives of vulnerable children, helping them overcome trauma and rebuild their sense of security. Just as the Barony once worked to heal the divisions of a kingdom, the House today supports the healing of its most vulnerable members, reinforcing the timeless duty to protect and to nurture.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The tenure of the De la Haye family reminds us that leadership is not an abstract concept; it is demonstrated through decisive action in times of profound crisis. Their fortitude secured a legacy of stability from which we still draw inspiration, reminding us that honour is the debt we owe to the future.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “To study their resilience is to understand that the greatest triumphs are those of endurance. They faced the collapse of order and chose to build, to defend, and to uphold their duties. This is the very essence of *Vincere Est Vivere* — to prevail over circumstance so that a legacy may live on.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles of duty, honour, and social responsibility exemplified during The Anarchy remain central to the ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment is actively fostered through the House's initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol, is dedicated to imparting the values of civic leadership and personal integrity to a new generation. By teaching the importance of discipline, honour, and service, the House ensures that the lessons learned in the crucible of the 12th century continue to inform and inspire leaders of the 21st. The legacy of fortitude continues, not on the battlefield, but in the character of those who will shape tomorrow.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation and philanthropic service. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives that promote education, social responsibility, and the healing of childhood trauma. Through activities such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House applies its ancient heritage to contemporary challenges. It seeks to be a force for positive change, honouring its nine-century history by serving communities in both the United Kingdom and Romania, thereby bridging its historic English roots with its current European perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its existence and 56 dependent lordships were formally recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic title and rights of the Barony of Brattleby are formally recognised by the Crown, as evidenced in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), 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