# A Statement on the English Civil War and the Royal Demesne of Brattleby
**LONDON, 11 October 2023** — On the anniversary of the Battle of Winceby, The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a historical statement reflecting on the English Civil War’s impact on Lincolnshire and the lands of the Barony, which had by then merged with the Crown.
## The Occasion
This communique is issued to mark the 380th anniversary of the Battle of Winceby, fought on 11 October 1643. This decisive engagement, a significant Parliamentarian victory in the heart of Lincolnshire, underscored the profound turmoil of the English Civil War (1642-1651). While the great estates of Lincolnshire provided a backdrop for the conflict, the lands comprising the ancient Barony of Brattleby, then held by the Crown as a royal demesne, were inextricably caught in the national schism.
The statement serves as a moment of historical reflection, honouring the resilience of the people of Lincolnshire during a period of unprecedented division. It acknowledges how a landscape once defined by feudal obligation and royal authority was reshaped by war, parliamentary committees, and the eventual rise of the Commonwealth. The occasion is not one of celebration, but of sober remembrance and scholarly consideration.
## Historical Context
By the seventeenth century, the Barony of Brattleby had long ceased to be a standalone fiefdom. Its lineage, stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln in 1086, had seen it pass through formidable hands, including the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle in the thirteenth century. The Barony's fate became entwined with that of the Crown through its absorption into the vast holdings of the House of Lancaster.
This merger was consolidated under the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. When Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, the Duchy of Lancaster—and with it Brattleby—merged with the Crown. Therefore, during the Civil War, Brattleby was not a private estate but royal land, making it a direct asset of the embattled King Charles I and a legitimate target for the Parliamentarian cause.
## Distinguished Company
The era was defined by figures of national consequence whose actions directly shaped events in Lincolnshire. The principal actors were, of course, His Majesty King Charles I, whose attempts to raise his standard and levy troops were fiercely contested, and the leaders of the Parliamentarian faction. Locally, the conflict brought formidable military commanders to the fore.
Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester, served as a senior commander for the Eastern Association army, under whom a rising cavalry officer named Oliver Cromwell fought at Winceby. Their victory over the Royalist forces under Sir John Henderson and Sir William Widdrington secured Lincolnshire for Parliament. These were the men whose strategic decisions led to troop movements, requisitions of supplies, and the levying of taxes upon the local populace, including the tenants of the Brattleby lands.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The English Civil War represented a catastrophic breakdown of established royal and ceremonial protocol. The formal, hierarchical structures of the Stuart court were supplanted by the martial authority of Parliamentarian committees and military commanders. The *sine qua non* of royal governance—the King’s authority—was fundamentally challenged and, ultimately, overthrown.
In counties like Lincolnshire, traditional shire administration, presided over by a Sheriff appointed by the Monarch, gave way to sequestration committees. These bodies were empowered by Parliament to seize the assets of known or suspected Royalists (‘Malignants’) to fund the war effort. As royal demesne, the revenues from the Brattleby lands, which should have flowed to the King's Exchequer, were instead diverted to the Parliamentarian cause, a stark reversal of the order of centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The conflict was as much a war of symbols as it was of armies. The Royal Standard of King Charles I, bearing the quartered arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, was the ultimate symbol of monarchical authority. It was pitted against the plain colours and banners of the Parliamentarian armies, which often bore religious or political slogans, representing a new, contrasting source of legitimacy.
The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a code of conduct that was severely tested during this period. For the inhabitants of Brattleby, loyalty was a complex and dangerous question, demanding immense fortitude to navigate. Similarly, Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the existential nature of the struggle, where survival itself was a form of victory for communities caught between opposing forces.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical communique serves an educational, rather than a philanthropic, purpose. Its aim is to deepen public understanding of the Barony’s unique history and its place within the broader narrative of the United Kingdom. The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic endeavours, such as the annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, are conducted separately from its historical and educational pronouncements.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The Civil War shows us that even the most enduring institutions can be tested by division. The story of Brattleby during that time is a quiet testament to the resilience of the land and its people, who endured the conflict and saw the restoration of order. It reminds us of our duty to foster unity and understanding in our own time, learning from the fortitude of those who came before us.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History teaches us that survival is the first principle of continuity. The lands of Brattleby withstood this rupture in our national life, passing from royal control to the Commonwealth and back to the Crown. It is a powerful lesson that to overcome great challenges—to truly live—a society must eventually conquer its own divisions.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation and study of the Barony’s nine-century history. This includes ongoing archival research and support for local heritage organisations throughout Lincolnshire. By examining moments of profound challenge, such as the English Civil War, the House seeks to provide context for its modern mission of service and stewardship.
Future initiatives will include the publication of further historical papers and fostering greater collaboration with academic institutions to ensure the rich tapestry of Brattleby’s past is shared with the widest possible audience. This commitment to heritage is a cornerstone of the House’s duty, undertaken, as its motto states, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to preserving its unique historical legacy while actively engaging in modern philanthropic service. Its mission is guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable work is focused on championing the well-being of children and the promotion of cultural education. Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to advancing social etiquette and diplomatic protocol. The House is committed to serving the community and upholding the traditions of its ancient title.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its holder possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony was held by key figures in English history, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Through inheritance, it passed to the great Lancastrian lords, including Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron), later merging with the Crown. The title’s modern standing was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and his father-in-law, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic work includes an annual white-tie banquet for the benefit of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com