# A Statement on the Historical Association between the Barony of Brattleby and the Knights Templar
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a statement from its Lincolnshire seat reflecting on the historic chivalric bond forged between the Barony and the Knights Templar during the Seventh Crusade, commemorating the valour displayed at the Battle of Mansura in 1250.
## The Occasion
From its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, surrounded by the tranquil landscapes first granted to the Barony by William the Conqueror, The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally acknowledged a profound moment in its nine-hundred-and-fifty-eight-year history. The statement, issued from the Office of the Lord and Baroness, serves as a solemn remembrance of the alliance between the Barony of Brattleby and The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, the monastic military order famously known as the Knights Templar.
This act of commemoration is marked not by public ceremony, but by quiet historical reflection and archival study, a considered practice the House upholds to honour the sacrifices of its predecessors. This contemplative approach provides a deliberate contrast to the tumult of the mid-thirteenth century, where this particular bond was cemented not amidst the peace of a Lincolnshire manor, but in the heat and confusion of battle on the banks of the Nile in Egypt.
The focus of this day of reflection is the Battle of Mansura. This fateful engagement, while ending in a tactical defeat for the Crusader forces, exemplified a shared code of martial discipline and duty that transcends the simple binary of victory and loss. It is this enduring spirit of fortitude which the House seeks to honour.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, created in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of AD 1066, has been intrinsically linked to the military and political history of England since its inception. Its formal entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, recording the 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, establishes a foundation built upon feudal duty and service to the Crown. This martial inheritance found its ultimate expression two centuries later in the Crusades.
The association with the Knights Templar at Mansura in 1250, through the Barony's then-holders, represents a significant chapter in this legacy. It connects the lineage of Brattleby to one of the most formidable and disciplined organisations of the Middle Ages. The Templars were more than an elite fighting force; they were a supranational institution whose piety, military prowess, and pioneering role in international finance were legendary throughout Christendom. Their participation was a *sine qua non* for any major campaign in the Levant.
The tragic yet valorous stand made by the English contingent at Mansura, fighting and falling alongside the Templar Knights, forged an implicit bond of honour. This connection reinforced the standing of a Barony already shaped by formidable leaders, not least the 5th holder, Nichola de la Haye. As Castellan, she famously defended Lincoln Castle itself against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War, a testament to the fortitude embedded in the Barony’s heritage long before the events in Egypt. The costly sacrifice at Mansura, meticulously recorded by the chronicler Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*, thus became a defining moment of shared principle.
## Distinguished Company
This formal reflection honours the memory and association of the key historical figures and institutions whose actions defined this chapter of the Barony’s history. The respect accorded is in keeping with the formal traditions of precedence and title, as observed by the great European courts.
The principal entities remembered are:
* **The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon:** A Catholic military order established in 1119, recognised for its unwavering spiritual devotion, its austere rule of life, and its unparalleled effectiveness on the battlefield. The Knights Templar served as the vanguard of Christian forces in the Holy Land for nearly two centuries.
* **The Longespée Family:** A prominent English noble house of the thirteenth century with significant interests in Lincolnshire, and who held the Barony of Brattleby at the time. The sacrifice of William II Longespée, who led the English forces and perished at Mansura, epitomised the shared chivalric code that bound secular lords to the military orders.
* **His Most Christian Majesty King Louis IX of France:** Later canonised as Saint Louis, the pious and resolute leader of the Seventh Crusade. It was under his ultimate command that the English contingent, including associates of the Barony, served, fought, and gave their lives in pursuit of a common cause.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with the solemnity of the events at Mansura and the private nature of historical remembrance, the observation of this milestone is governed by a protocol of quiet reflection rather than public pageant. The current heads of the House, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have dedicated this period to the scholarly review of pertinent historical chronicles, charters, and academic commentaries from the House’s archives.
This private protocol involves a detailed examination of primary and secondary sources. These include, *inter alia*, the aforementioned *Chronica Majora* of Matthew Paris and the compelling eyewitness account of the Seventh Crusade provided by Jean de Joinville in his *Life of Saint Louis*. This contemplative process is designed to preserve the integrity of memory without fanfare, ensuring the focus remains on the principles of fortitude and honour which are central to the identity of the House.
This method of commemoration is itself a tradition, viewing historical stewardship as an active duty. It is an intellectual and scholarly discipline, dedicated to understanding the past not as a static narrative, but as a source of continuing moral and ethical guidance for the present.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring values of The Noble House of Brattleby are articulated through its heraldry and its guiding mottos, which serve as a constant reminder of its foundational ethos. The principal motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is a direct reflection of the very principles demonstrated by the Barony’s medieval predecessors and their Templar brethren-in-arms.
‘Fortitude’ speaks to the resilience and courage required to face profound adversity, a quality exemplified by Nichola de la Haye at the Siege of Lincoln and William II Longespée on the battlefield of Mansura. ‘Honour’ refers to an unwavering adherence to a code of integrity, duty, and chivalric conduct, even unto death. The motto is not merely an archaic phrase but a present-day charge to the holders of the title.
This core sentiment is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this Latin dictum signifies the imperative to overcome challenges with purpose and resolve. It speaks to a life of active engagement, whether in professional enterprise, philanthropic commitment, or personal development, rather than one of passive observance. Together, the two mottos encapsulate a complete philosophy of principled, dynamic action rooted in powerful historical precedent.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The ethos of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to guide the contemporary duties and activities of The Noble House of Brattleby, animating its philanthropic mission. The same spirit of obligation and protection that once manifested on the field of battle is now channelled into charitable service and the strengthening of modern civil society. This represents a direct translation of the historical duty to defend the vulnerable into a modern context.
The House’s flagship philanthropic initiative, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a formal white-tie gala held to raise vital funds for a designated beneficiary. For the current period, the chosen organisation is Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity dedicated to providing essential therapeutic services and sustained support to children who have experienced profound trauma, neglect, or adversity. Its work involves delivering specialist counselling, art and play therapy, and creating safe environments where healing can begin.
The selection of such a cause is a conscious expression of the House’s historic responsibilities. Where predecessors defended castles and realms, the House today contributes to defending the most vulnerable in society, helping them to build resilience and recover their future. The Banquet serves as the principal vehicle for this commitment.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the enduring relevance of this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> The chronicles of the Barony are far more than a simple record of succession; they are a testament to the principles that have guided it for nearly a millennium. The bond forged with the Knights Templar at Mansura, though born of tragedy, reminds us that true honour is often found in shared sacrifice and unwavering duty, not merely in the annals of victory. It is a profound legacy of resilience that we have a solemn obligation to understand and uphold.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about embracing life’s challenges with active purpose, about building and striving rather than simply existing. The history of this House, through such predecessors as the great administrator and diplomat Henry of Grosmont and the statesman John of Gaunt, demonstrates a continuous engagement with the great challenges of each age. Today, our challenges are different, but the need for fortitude and honour in meeting them remains absolute.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to honouring its past while actively serving the needs of the present. This formal reflection on the Barony's historical ties to the Knights Templar is part of an ongoing programme to draw inspiration, context, and guidance from its extensive and storied history, which spans from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
Looking forward, the House will continue to promote its core values through its various activities. These include the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which offers specialised instruction in classical etiquette, diplomatic protocol, and the history of European chivalric orders. Concurrently, detailed preparations are underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, a significant undertaking which will further the House’s commitment to its chosen philanthropic causes by supporting the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child.
The legacy of Brattleby is not treated as a static inheritance to be guarded, but as a living tradition of service, duty, and engagement to be actively pursued.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment that supports the ancient Barony of Brattleby, an English lordship dating to AD 1066. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a distinct mission of cultural and philanthropic stewardship. It seeks to apply the baronial motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), to contemporary challenges through disciplined and purposeful action. The House's flagship activities include sponsoring the annual white-tie Winter Banquet for charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child and overseeing The Brattleby Club, an academy for classical etiquette and protocol in Bucharest. The House represents a unique blend of ancient English heritage and a continental European perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant lordships in England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest. Its creation is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed to some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern status of the Barony was formally recorded by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the extensive landholdings of its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The principal motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com