# A Reflection on the Union of the Barony of Brattleby and the Earldom of Salisbury
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the period during which the Barony was united with the Earldom of Salisbury. This union, through the formidable Longespée family, marked a significant chapter in the Barony’s near-millennial history.
## The Occasion
From the archives at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Office of the Baroness has prepared this statement to illuminate a pivotal era in the Barony’s lineage. In the quiet of the autumnal season, a time for reflection, the House seeks to contextualise its ancient origins for a modern audience. This release is part of a continuing effort to chronicle the nine centuries of service, duty, and stewardship that have defined the Barony since its foundation in AD 1066. The research draws upon charters and rolls that form part of the House’s private collection, connecting the present day to the high medieval period.
## Historical Context
The Barony’s history is woven deeply into the fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln following the Norman Conquest, its extensive lands were first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over a century, the Barony was a bastion of royal power in the north, a tradition exemplified by the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, renowned for her defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces.
In the 13th century, the Barony of Brattleby became associated with one of the most powerful families in the realm: the House of Longespée. William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, was a natural son of King Henry II and thus a half-brother to two English monarchs, King Richard I and King John. Through his marriage to the great heiress Ela of Salisbury, he became Earl of Salisbury in her right (*jure uxoris*), and their descendants would unite this prominent earldom with the ancient Brattleby barony. Their son, William III Longespée, subsequently the 7th Baron of Brattleby, held both titles, elevating the Barony's influence within the Peerage of England.
## Distinguished Company
This chapter of the Barony’s history places it in the company of towering figures of the age. The direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty was established through His Majesty King Henry II, father of the 3rd Earl of Salisbury. The lineage combines the royal blood of the Angevins with the established Anglo-Norman aristocracy.
The key personages of the era included:
* **William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury**, a distinguished military commander and a signatory of the 1225 issue of Magna Carta. * **The Right Honourable Ela of Salisbury, 3rd Countess of Salisbury**, who held the earldom *suo jure* (in her own right) and was a formidable landowner and administrator. After her husband's death, she served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire and later founded Lacock Abbey. * Their son, **William III Longespée, 7th Baron of Brattleby**, a leading English knight who crusaded with King Louis IX of France and whose bravery at the Battle of Mansurah became the stuff of legend.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 13th century, the assumption of titles such as an earldom or barony was governed by strict feudal protocol. The creation of an Earl was a matter of great state, often performed by the Monarch in person through the girding of a sword and the presentation of a charter. A Baron, while also a tenant-in-chief holding lands directly from the Crown, held a rank of lesser precedence.
The *sine qua non* of their status was the act of homage, a public ceremony in which the new lord would kneel before the King, place his hands between those of the Sovereign, and swear an oath of fealty. This pledge bound him to provide counsel and military service in exchange for his lands and titles. It was this solemn ritual that underpinned the entire structure of medieval governance and cemented the Barony’s place in the defence of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heraldry of this period tells a story of power and lineage. The arms of the Longespée Earls of Salisbury were *Azure, six lioncels rampant Or* — a blue shield charged with six small, upright golden lions. The lion is a symbol of courage, nobility, and royalty, and its repeated use on the Longespée shield signified their exceptional status and close connection to the Crown.
This martial symbolism finds a modern echo in the mottos of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the courage and integrity demonstrated by predecessors like the Longespées and Nichola de la Haye. It is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which expresses a dynamic spirit of achievement that has defined the Barony's most influential holders.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige* — the responsibility of privilege — mandated that lords protect their people and uphold justice. While this duty was once fulfilled through military service and governance, today it is expressed through philanthropy. The House of Brattleby’s commitment to charitable work is the modern expression of this ancient obligation.
By reflecting on the service of the Longespée earls and other predecessors, the House reaffirms the principles that guide its present-day endeavours. The decision to support organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child stems directly from this historical understanding of duty. The Barony’s legacy is not one of wealth or power for its own sake, but of stewardship in the service of the wider community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The history of Brattleby is not merely a list of names; it is a tapestry of lives defined by duty. Looking to figures such as the Countess Ela of Salisbury, who governed with such acumen, or my predecessor Nichola de la Haye, one finds a powerful reminder that stewardship is the true essence of nobility. Their fortitude inspires our own.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The Longespée earls embodied a spirit of ambitious leadership that fundamentally shaped English history. Their legacy reminds us that to achieve great things — be it on the battlefield or in modern philanthropy — requires a determined will to succeed. In that sense, their story resonates with the ethos of *Vincere Est Vivere*: to strive is to truly live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This examination of the Barony’s past informs its vision for the future. The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to preserving and promoting its unique heritage, ensuring that this legacy of service continues with fortitude and honour. This responsibility will one day pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated in this long tradition of duty.
Through educational initiatives at institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and ongoing archival research, the House will continue to share the remarkable history of a Barony that has stood for nearly one thousand years. It is a legacy defined not by antiquity alone, but by a persistent relevance and an unwavering commitment to the future.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. With a perspective that bridges English tradition and a Continental outlook, the House’s principal charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Further, it promotes education in classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol through its academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, thereby upholding the time-honoured principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’) for a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year 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, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights of the Barony and its current tenure under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, were formally recorded and recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s succession and formal rights were officially gazetted by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by grant of His Majesty King William I. Its holdings under the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, are documented in the Domesday Book (1086). - Past Barons of Brattleby include some of medieval England’s most powerful nobles, *inter alia*, the 1st Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The 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