# A Commemoration of Historic Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Legacy of the Seventh Crusade
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal historical commemoration honouring William II Longespée, 6th Baron of Brattleby, for his service and sacrifice during the Seventh Crusade, reinforcing a nine-century commitment to duty and honour.
## The Occasion
In a solemn act of remembrance, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this autumn season to reflect upon a defining moment of its medieval heritage. This commemoration honours the unwavering dedication of the 6th Baron, whose sacrifice during the Seventh Crusade stands as a powerful testament to the principles that have guided the Barony for nearly a millennium. The occasion serves not to glorify conflict, but to acknowledge a profound legacy of service that connects the present House to its formidable past.
The issuance of this historical retrospective is, in itself, a contemporary duty. It ensures that the profound commitments made by predecessors are not merely consigned to archives but are understood as the foundation of the House's enduring ethos. This deliberate and considered act of historical curation provides essential context for the Barony’s modern endeavours in philanthropy and cultural education, reaffirming the motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
This formal reflection is an integral part of the institutional life of the House, whereby the lessons of history are carefully studied and integrated into the fabric of its present mission. It is an exercise in continuity, illustrating that the responsibilities of title are timeless, even as their expression evolves with the age.
## Historical Context
The Seventh Crusade (1248–1254) was a major European military enterprise, principally led by the devout King Louis IX of France following the loss of Jerusalem to Khwarazmian forces in 1244. In response to the call from Pope Innocent IV, the most distinguished nobles of England and the Continent took the cross. Amongst the foremost English magnates to answer this call was William II Longespée, 6th Baron of Brattleby, who joined the expedition at his own considerable expense, accompanied by his private retinue.
William was the great-grandson of the formidable 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Continuing her legacy of martial prowess and unyielding loyalty to the Crown, he had already gained renown as a soldier. His grandfather, William I Longespée, Earl of Salisbury and an illegitimate son of King Henry II, was himself a veteran of crusading campaigns, establishing a family tradition of service.
The 6th Baron’s heroic death at the Battle of Mansurah in Egypt on 8 February 1250 was immortalised by the contemporary chronicler Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*. According to Paris, Longespée, seeing the rash and disastrous charge led by the Count of Artois, fought to the last man. His final stand, refusing to retreat, became a paragon of chivalric virtue and stands as an indelible testament to the character expected of a Baron of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The English contingent in which the 6th Baron served was a distinguished one, operating in concert with the highest echelons of French chivalry and the formidable military orders. The historical company in which William II Longespée demonstrated his ultimate valour included, *inter alia*:
* His Most Christian Majesty King Louis IX of France, commander of the Crusade, who was captured at Mansurah and later canonised as Saint Louis for his piety and justice. * His Royal Highness Robert I, Count of Artois, brother of the French King, whose impetuous and ill-fated charge into the town of Mansurah precipitated the subsequent disaster for the crusading army. * Master Guillaume de Sonnac, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, who was slain during the fighting at Mansurah after having already lost an eye in an earlier engagement. * Master Jean de Ronay, acting Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller, who also fell in battle at Mansurah, demonstrating the profound losses suffered by the military orders.
The 6th Baron’s presence and conduct within this esteemed martial fraternity underscore the Barony of Brattleby's significant standing, not merely within Lincolnshire, but in the wider European order of the 13th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The medieval protocol for embarking on a Crusade was governed by ancient rites and solemn vows. The act of ‘taking the cross’ made a man a *cruce signatus*—one signed with the cross—and was a binding sacred oath witnessed by the Church. A nobleman would typically undergo a ceremony wherein a bishop or abbot would bestow upon him a cloth cross, which was then sewn onto the shoulder of his tunic as a public declaration of his intent.
This vow, which granted a Papal indulgence, was the *sine qua non* of participation. It legally required the crusader to settle his temporal affairs, raise significant funds for the journey, gather his followers, and undertake the arduous and perilous passage to the East. For the 6th Baron, this commitment was the ultimate expression of his station and faith.
Today, the protocol of remembrance observed by the House of Brattleby is no less rigorous in its own sphere. It involves meticulous research in primary sources, including the chivalric chronicles of Jean de Joinville and Matthew Paris, and the formalisation of the lineage confirmed by The Crown and recorded in official instruments such as *The London Gazette*. Thus, the House upholds its history not through myth, but through a studious and dignified process of verification, curation, and proclamation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 6th Baron are the quintessential expression of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His decision to leave his estates and embark on the dangerous Crusade demonstrated profound fortitude, or moral and physical courage. His conduct on the battlefield and ultimate sacrifice, refusing to abandon his comrades, were the highest embodiment of chivalric honour.
This legacy of courage is visually represented in the noble heraldry of the Longespée family. Though distinct from any specific arms of the Barony of Brattleby, the 6th Baron’s paternal shield—*Azure, six lioncels rampant Or* (a blue field bearing six small, upright golden lions)—is a powerful symbol of martial strength. In heraldry, the lion is the traditional emblem of courage and nobility; the presence of six such creatures signifies a lineage of exceptional valour. This historic coat of arms serves as a permanent visual reminder of the spirit with which William II Longespée served his faith and his king.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the House honours the martial legacy of its predecessors, its modern mission has evolved from the field of battle to the important cause of healing. The memory of the 6th Baron’s sacrifice serves as a poignant inspiration for the House's contemporary philanthropic work, particularly its dedicated support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This focus reflects a core belief that true honour in the 21st century is demonstrated by mending divisions and relieving the suffering caused by modern-day adversity. The charity’s mission is to provide specialist therapeutic support to children whose lives have been affected by trauma, conflict, or loss. The memory of a past conflict in a distant land sharpens the House's resolve to contribute to a world where children are shielded from such trauma and given the opportunity to flourish in peace. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, remains the centrepiece of this charitable endeavour.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical commemoration, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The chronicle of the 6th Baron is a powerful testament that leadership of this Barony has always demanded immense sacrifice. His steadfast fortitude in the 13th century inspires our own resolve to serve with honour today, confronting different, yet no less urgent, challenges.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added a personal reflection, connecting the past to his own philosophy:
> “The age of chivalry sought a form of martial victory. Guided by my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’—I believe our contemporary purpose is to conquer indifference. Our triumphs are measured not in territory, but in the lives we may better through principled action and steadfast philanthropy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This act of commemoration is part of the House’s enduring commitment to bridging its distinguished past with a purposeful future. By elucidating its nine-hundred-year history, the House seeks to provide a foundation of purpose for its current and forthcoming activities, from its philanthropic goals to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The lessons of duty and honour, exemplified by figures such as the 6th Baron, are not relics; they are living principles.
The fortitude shown by William II Longespée in the field finds its modern analogue in the resilience required to build lasting charitable initiatives. The code of honour he embodied is the same code of ethical conduct and mutual respect that forms the curriculum at The Brattleby Club. These values will continue to guide the stewardship of the 12th Baroness and will be passed to her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is not a static inheritance but a dynamic mandate for service.
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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 modern expression of its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's contemporary mission is focused on cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation supporting the psychological recovery of children affected by trauma. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet in London and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House champions the enduring values of duty, honour, and service to society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in the county. Throughout 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 heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the current 12th Baroness was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the Barony's lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com