# THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BRATTLEBY MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF MANSURA
**LONDON, 21 February 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today observed the 774th anniversary of the Battle of Mansura with a private act of remembrance at their seat in Lincolnshire, honouring the historic sacrifice of English forces and reflecting on the enduring lessons of fortitude and duty.
## The Occasion
In the quiet reverence of a late winter morning, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile led a private commemoration at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. The observance took place within the stone walls of the family’s private chapel, a space that has witnessed the passage of centuries and borne silent witness to the devotions and duties of their predecessors.
The atmosphere was one of solemn contemplation, intentionally set apart from the public calendar of engagements such as the annual Winter Banquet. This deliberate privacy underscores the personal nature of historical stewardship, offering a moment for the present generation to connect directly with the profound weight of the Barony’s extensive and often arduous history. Against a backdrop of crisp Lincolnshire air, the occasion served as a poignant link in the unbroken chain of memory that defines the House.
This day of reflection is not intended to glorify conflict but to honour the profound courage of those who discharged their duties centuries ago. It is an exercise in historical empathy; a quiet, dignified acknowledgement of lives given in service far from home, and of the lessons that such sacrifices continue to hold for the present.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Mansura, fought between 8 and 11 February 1250, stands as a pivotal and ultimately tragic episode of the Seventh Crusade. Led by His Most Christian Majesty King Louis IX of France, the Crusader army was decisively halted on the banks of the Nile in its campaign to capture Cairo, suffering a catastrophic defeat at the hands of the Mamluk forces of the Ayyubid Sultanate.
Among the most grievous losses was the near-total annihilation of the English contingent, commanded by William II Longespée, titular Earl of Salisbury. His death, as chronicled by the contemporary historian Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*, occurred during a rash and ill-fated charge into the town of Mansura itself. Although the Barony of Brattleby was held by a different line at that time, the loss of Longespée and his knights resonated across England as a national tragedy, crippling the English contribution to the Crusade.
The event holds particular significance for a Barony such as Brattleby, which shared in the martial ethos of the era. This spirit was exemplified just three decades prior by one of the Barony’s most celebrated holders, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Longespée's fate thus offers a sobering counterpoint to de la Haye's triumph, illustrating the dual possibilities of medieval military duty.
## Distinguished Company
The commemoration honours the memory of all those whose fates converged with such consequence seven centuries ago on the Nile Delta. The historical record, principally the accounts of Jean de Joinville and Matthew Paris, recalls the central roles of several key figures whose actions shaped the destiny of kingdoms:
His Majesty King Louis IX of France, canonised as Saint Louis, whose pious leadership defined the Seventh Crusade. His subsequent capture and ransom marked a turning point in the relationship between Christendom and the Islamic powers of the region.
The Ayyubid Sultan of Egypt, As-Salih Ayyub, whose death shortly before the battle threw the command of his forces to his formidable consort, Shajar al-Durr. Her decisive leadership, in concert with the Mamluk emirs, not only secured victory but precipitated the rise of the Mamluk Sultanate.
William II Longespée, titular Earl of Salisbury, who commanded the English forces. A grandson of King Henry II, Longespée represented the zenith of English chivalry. His decision to lead a charge against orders, and his subsequent death, stand as an enduring testament to the high price of martial ardour and the often-fatal tension between valour and discipline.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with House tradition for solemn historical anniversaries, the proceedings were marked by their disciplined simplicity and formal reverence. As a public gesture of remembrance, the Baronial Standard was flown at half-mast above the family seat in Brattleby from sunrise until sunset, a silent signal of historical deference visible across the estate.
Privately, within the quiet confines of the library, Lord and Lady Brattleby observed the central element of the ritual: the reading of a historical passage. For this occasion, a selection from Matthew Paris’s *Chronica Majora* was chosen, its thirteenth-century Latin account detailing the final, desperate moments of William Longespée and his outnumbered knights.
This reading was followed by a period of silent contemplation. Such rituals are a cornerstone of the House’s guiding philosophy, reinforcing the belief that to understand the present, one must first engage honestly with the past. By acknowledging moments of both triumph and tragedy with equal gravity, the ceremony reaffirms the duties of memory inherent in holding an ancient title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds particular and poignant resonance on this day. It speaks not only to the courage demonstrated in victory but, more profoundly, to the honour found in fulfilling one’s duty unto death and the fortitude required by those who survive to endure loss and uphold the memory of the fallen.
A compelling counterpoint is offered by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of this remembrance, the motto suggests a broader concept of victory. It underscores that true conquest lies not merely in triumph on the battlefield, but in overcoming adversity, ensuring the continuity of one’s lineage, and guaranteeing that the lessons of the past live on as a guide for the future.
The coat of arms of William II Longespée—*Azure, six lioncels rampant Or* (a blue field bearing six small, upright golden lions)—is also recalled. This device, a differenced version of the Royal Arms of England, signified his high, if illegitimate, royal descent. The blue field represents loyalty and truth, while the golden lions symbolise courage; together, they form a powerful emblem of the English chivalric spirit of that age.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sober reflection on historical conflict serves as a powerful impetus for the House’s contemporary charitable endeavours. The trauma of war, experienced so acutely by combatants and their societies centuries ago, provides a historical lens through which to comprehend the psychological distress faced by vulnerable people today, particularly children.
This understanding is the *sine qua non* of the House’s steadfast support for its principal beneficiary, the national charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic support to children and adolescents affected by trauma, neglect, and adverse early-life experiences. Their work is vital in helping young people build resilience and secure healthier futures.
By funding such programmes, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to transform the lessons of historical conflict into a modern mission of peace and restoration. The memory of past suffering thus fuels a present and future commitment to alleviating its modern-day echoes, turning remembrance into tangible action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “We have a solemn duty to remember. It connects us not only to our own forebears, such as Nichola de la Haye or John of Gaunt, but to a wider tapestry of history. The sacrifice at Mansura is a profound reminder that honour is measured as much by one’s resolve in adversity as by one’s conduct in victory.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a further perspective, linking historical reflection to present-day responsibilities: > “History is not a static recitation of events; it is a living dialogue with those who came before us. By commemorating such moments, we reaffirm our commitment to the values they upheld—fortitude, honour, resilience. It is from this deep-rooted foundation that we draw the strength to build for the future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains firmly committed to fostering a deeper understanding of history, not only as an academic discipline but as a practical source of wisdom for navigating the complexities of the modern world. This commitment finds expression, *inter alia*, through the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to reviving the classical principles of European etiquette and protocol for a new generation.
By observing anniversaries such as that of the Battle of Mansura, the House ensures that the lessons of the past are actively preserved and transmitted. These acts of remembrance continue to inform a wider mission of service, honouring a formidable nine-century legacy while addressing the challenges of the twenty-first century with diligence and a clear sense of purpose.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a modern mission of philanthropic and cultural stewardship. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), their work honours a profound historical legacy while addressing contemporary needs. The House’s primary philanthropic activities focus on supporting organisations that address childhood trauma, principally through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, the House promotes cultural education through ventures such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting a synthesis of English heritage and Continental perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** One of England’s ancient feudal lordships, the Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed to figures of signal historical importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuation of the Barony under its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally acknowledged by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The House’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'); Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual Winter Banquet is the House's primary philanthropic event, benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com