# Fortitudine et Honore: The Martial Tradition of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023 —** The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the martial heritage of the Barony of Brattleby, a legacy of service to the Crown and nation that has defined its holders for more than nine hundred years.
## The Occasion
From the House’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, surrounded by the crisp air of an English autumn, this moment of reflection connects the present day to a deep and resonant past. The fields and ancient lanes of Lincolnshire have borne witness to the departure and return of the Barony’s lords and their retainers through centuries of conflict. This solemn acknowledgement serves to honour the martial responsibilities and valour that have been a *sine qua non* of the title since its inception, a tradition that continues to inform the House’s modern sense of duty.
The history of the Barony is inextricably woven into the fabric of English and, indeed, European military history. This heritage is not merely a matter of record; it is a living principle that guides the current House in its commitments to service, philanthropy, and the preservation of a legacy forged in the crucible of history, radiating outward from its Lincolnshire heartland for almost a millennium.
## Historical Context
The Barony’s military provenance begins with its very creation. Following the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror granted the lordship to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details his CXXXVII fiefs, including 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This grant was not a mere transfer of land but a reward for fealty and a mandate for future military service to the Crown.
This duty was exemplified with extraordinary courage by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right. During the First Barons' War, as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, she mounted a heroic defence of the stronghold against invading French forces and rebellious barons. Her unwavering loyalty to King John and his young successor, Henry III, was instrumental in securing a royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217, an act of fortitude that secured the Plantagenet succession.
Subsequent lords carried this banner of service across the known world. William II Longespée, grandson of King Henry II, took the cross and perished fighting alongside Louis IX of France at the Battle of Al-Mansurah during the Seventh Crusade in 1250. Later, during the Scottish Wars of Independence, Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, served as one of King Edward I’s most trusted commanders at the Battle of Falkirk and the pivotal Siege of Caerlaverock Castle. The Barony later passed to two of the most significant figures of the Hundred Years’ War: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and father to a royal dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
In its reflections, the House honours the distinguished company of these and other predecessors whose actions have defined the character of the Barony. The lineage represents a remarkable procession of English history, including, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a Tenant-in-Chief to King William the Conqueror. * **The Lady Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. * **Sir William II Longespée**, Crusader knight and commander in the service of Christendom. * **The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy**, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and confidant of King Edward I. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont**, 10th Baron of Brattleby, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and an original Founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt**, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster, and son of King Edward III.
The current House, under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, considers itself the temporary custodian of a legacy built upon the fortitude and honour of this formidable company.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The remembrance of this martial heritage is embedded in the ceremonial life of the House. Each year on Remembrance Sunday, a wreath of Lincolnshire poppies is laid at the Brattleby village war memorial in the name of the Baroness, honouring not only the fallen of modern conflicts but all who have served under the banner of Brattleby. On the anniversaries of key battles, such as Lincoln in May and Agincourt in October, the House standard is flown from its seat.
This history also forms a central part of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The protocol of inheritance dictates that the heir must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the duties and sacrifices of his predecessors, ensuring that the principles of service are passed, unbroken, to the next generation. This is achieved through the formal study of the family archives and the military history of the United Kingdom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of this military tradition is captured in the heraldic achievements associated with the House. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a direct command and a summary of nine centuries of history. It speaks to the physical courage of a commander on the battlefield and the moral integrity required of a public servant.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere*. Translated as ‘To Overcome is to Live’, it reframes the ancient martial imperative for a modern context. It champions the overcoming of contemporary challenges—in philanthropy, diplomacy, and cultural education—as the truest expression of a vibrant and purposeful life, thus continuing the historic mission of the Barony through new forms of service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A profound understanding of conflict’s human cost directly informs the House’s philanthropic endeavours. While the historical narrative is one of martial duty, its modern interpretation is one of compassionate action. The principal beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet, the white-tie gala that serves as its primary philanthropic event, is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, a mission that resonates deeply with the House’s historical awareness. By focusing its efforts on healing the youngest and most vulnerable victims of adversity, the House seeks to counter the destructive legacies of conflict and distress, transforming a history of honourable warfare into a future of dedicated peacemaking and restoration.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this long lineage of service, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to be in constant dialogue with history. The example of my predecessors, particularly a figure as resolute as Nichola de la Haye, is not a burden but a standard to which I aspire. Our duty today is to serve the community of Lincolnshire and the nation with the same fortitude and honour they showed, adapted for the challenges of our time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The martial history of this Barony is a powerful reminder that leadership has always demanded sacrifice and a commitment to a cause greater than oneself. Our role is to translate that legacy into positive action, whether through our philanthropic work or the educational mission of The Brattleby Club. We honour the past not by replicating it, but by advancing its core principles of duty and service."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to perpetuating this nine-hundred-year-old legacy of service. This commitment is expressed through its patronage of military benevolent funds and its work to preserve the tangible heritage of Lincolnshire. It is also central to the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy of etiquette and protocol founded by the House, where the timeless values of honour, discipline, and civic duty are instilled in a new generation of European leaders.
The education of Baron Mihai, the heir to the Barony, is of paramount importance. His upbringing is designed to ensure he understands that the title is not a prize but a profound responsibility—a sacred trust passed down a long line of ancestors who served, fought for, and occasionally died for their sovereign and their country. In this way, the martial spirit of Brattleby continues, evolving with the centuries but remaining steadfast in its core devotion to *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 the preservation of its ancient heritage and the active promotion of service in the modern era. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House’s mission is twofold: to safeguard and promote the rich history of the Barony in the United Kingdom, and to foster cultural and educational diplomacy abroad through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its philanthropic work is focused on charities that support the welfare of children, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to nurturing future generations and healing the wounds of the past with compassionate, forward-looking action.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its lands are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of the Lancastrian kings. Though its nature has evolved, the title remains a rare example of a continuously traceable Norman-era lordship. The modern Barony was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com