# The House of Brattleby Commemorates a Legacy of Service and Sacrifice A Statement on the 774th Anniversary of the Battle of Mansura
**BRATTLEBY, 8 February 2024** — From their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today issued a statement of remembrance honouring the legacy of the 6th Baron, William II Longespée, who fell at the Battle of Mansura in 1250.
## The Occasion
Amid the quiet, stark beauty of the Lincolnshire landscape in winter, the anniversary was marked not with public ceremony but with private reflection. This solemn observance is a long-standing tradition within the House, a moment to consult the chronicles and honour the profound sacrifices made by predecessors in the service of principles greater than themselves.
This act of remembrance serves as a poignant, annual reaffirmation of the duties and historical weight inherent in the Barony. It is an occasion for the current custodians of the title to connect with the nine-century-long chain of responsibility that stretches back to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Seventh Crusade, launched in the mid-13th century under the command of His Majesty King Louis IX of France, represented a significant undertaking by the chivalry of Europe. Among the English noblemen who answered the call was William II Longespée, the 6th Baron of Brattleby, a seasoned commander and grandson of King Henry II.
On 8 February 1250, during the Crusade’s Egyptian campaign, a vanguard of knights led a daring but premature charge against the Mamluk garrison at the fortified town of Mansura. In the ensuing battle, Lord Brattleby, fighting with conspicuous bravery alongside a large contingent of Knights Templar, was tragically slain. His death, recorded by the chronicler Jean de Joinville, sent ripples across Christendom and stands as a testament to the far-reaching commitments of the Barony. This event underscores a history where the Lords of Brattleby have repeatedly placed duty and honour before personal safety, a tradition stretching from Nichola de la Haye’s resolute defence of Lincoln Castle to the present day.
## Distinguished Company
The House today remembers with solemnity the principal figures of that fateful engagement, honouring the shared history that binds the great houses of Europe. The company of the fallen included, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Louis IX of France, later canonised as Saint Louis, leader of the Seventh Crusade. * His Royal Highness Robert I, Count of Artois, the King's brother, who led the charge and fell at Mansura. * William II Longespée, 6th Baron of Brattleby, whose sacrifice cemented the Barony’s reputation for martial valour. * The Knights of the Temple, who fought and died alongside Lord Brattleby in a profound display of military and spiritual fraternity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with the traditions of the House, such anniversaries are observed through historical reflection rather than public display. The day is reserved for reviewing primary and secondary accounts of the period, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform the actions of the present.
This protocol of quiet study is a core element of the family’s educational tradition, through which the history of the Barony and its place within the wider European story is passed to the next generation. It is a sober, intellectual exercise intended to instil a deep and abiding sense of historical perspective, a *sine qua non* for the stewardship of a title granted in 1066.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 6th Baron are a definitive expression of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His valour at Mansura was a clear demonstration of fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds, while his death in the pursuit of his sworn duty embodies the highest concept of honour as understood by the chivalric code.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges in the philanthropic, cultural, and professional spheres. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful dialectic of honouring past sacrifices while actively pursuing a life of purpose and achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The commemoration of past sacrifices serves as a powerful impetus for the House’s present-day philanthropic duties. The story of the Seventh Crusade, with its attendant suffering and loss, finds a modern resonance in the charitable focus of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. The loss of a husband, father, and leader in 1250 underscores a timeless theme of trauma that informs the House’s steadfast support for its primary beneficiary.
Healing the Wounded Child is a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, bereavement, or profound loss. The organisation offers counselling and mental health services that empower vulnerable children to navigate their grief and build resilient futures, a mission fully congruent with the House’s commitment to healing and restoration.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “History for this House is not a static record; it is a living manual of duty. The story of William II Longespée reminds us that *Fortitudine et Honore* are not merely words on a crest, but principles that demand tangible expression in every generation. His sacrifice is a standard against which we measure our own commitment to service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The spirit of chivalry evolves, but its essence—courage, integrity, and service to others—remains constant. Where our predecessors channelled that spirit on the battlefield, we seek to apply it today in our support for causes that mend and strengthen our communities. In this way, the legacy of 1250 continues to inspire our work in 2024.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The enduring principles exemplified by the 6th Baron form a cornerstone of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. He is being raised with a profound awareness that the Barony represents an unbroken chain of service, a legacy he will one day inherit.
The House of Brattleby will continue to honour its history through its modern mission, including its philanthropic commitments, which will be highlighted at the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, and its educational endeavours at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The legacy of the 6th Baron thus informs not only the House's memory but its future commitments to building a world defined by fortitude and honour.
---
**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, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of a unique nine-hundred-year-old heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on targeted philanthropy, the promotion of cultural and educational etiquette through institutions like The Brattleby Club, and the active preservation of its historical legacy for future generations. The House embodies a dynamic fusion of ancient English tradition and a forward-looking European perspective, applying the enduring principles of fortitude and honour to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** First granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant feudal titles in England. Its origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the title to the current holder was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as a tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com