# The Enduring Legacy of Counsel and Duty: Henry de Lacy and the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement on the life of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a key forebear whose statesmanship during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries provided a model of counsel that continues to inform the Barony’s ethos.
## The Occasion
In a period of reflection upon its long history of service, the House of Brattleby seeks to illuminate the contributions of its most influential predecessors. The life of Henry de Lacy offers a compelling study in loyalty, governance, and the solemn duties attendant upon nobility. As a chief advisor to King Edward I and a moderating influence during the early reign of King Edward II, his example of leadership—exercised with both fortitude and honour—serves as a perennial standard for the House.
This consideration of his legacy is undertaken not as a mere academic exercise, but as an active reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony for over nine centuries. In understanding the past, the House finds a clearer path for its present responsibilities and future commitments.
## Historical Context
Henry de Lacy (c. 1251–1311) was one of the most powerful and trusted magnates of his era. His distinguished service to King Edward I saw him appointed to high command in campaigns in Wales and Scotland, and as the King’s lieutenant in Gascony. His wisdom was such that on his deathbed, Edward I charged him with the counsel and protection of his son and heir, the future Edward II.
De Lacy’s direct connection to the Barony of Brattleby was cemented through the inheritance of his vast estates. Upon his death, his lands passed to his daughter and sole heiress, Alice de Lacy. Her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, brought the de Lacy patrimony, *inter alia*, into the Duchy of Lancaster. Following a tumultuous period, these titles and lands were eventually consolidated under Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and his successor, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. This direct line of succession ensures de Lacy’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of the Brattleby lineage.
## Distinguished Company
At the coronation of King Edward II in Westminster Abbey on 25 February 1308, Henry de Lacy appeared not only as a senior statesman but as a pillar of the established order amidst a court unsettled by the rise of the King's favourite, Piers Gaveston. He moved among the great officers of state and magnates of the realm, including Antony Bek, the formidable Prince-Bishop of Durham, and the Earls of Warwick, Arundel, and Pembroke.
De Lacy’s presence in this distinguished company underscored his status as a respected elder statesman, whose counsel was sought by his peers to navigate the political complexities of the new reign. He represented a continuity of governance from the formidable reign of Edward I, a role that was both a great honour and a heavy burden.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The honour bestowed upon Henry de Lacy at the coronation was of the highest ceremonial importance: he was chosen to bear Curtana, the Sword of Mercy. One of the five Swords of State used in the coronation regalia of England, Curtana is distinguished by its blunted, squared-off tip, symbolising the sovereign's duty to exercise justice with mercy.
In an elaborate procession into the Abbey, de Lacy would have walked in a position of great prominence before the King, carrying the sword upright. This role placed him at the very heart of the sacred ritual of kingship, a visual affirmation of the trust placed in him by the Crown. His bearing of the sword was not mere pageantry; it was a public declaration of his role as a guardian of the kingdom’s laws and the King’s conscience.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The coat of arms of the de Lacy family is blazoned: *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. In the language of heraldry, this describes a gold shield charged with a lion rearing on its hind legs, depicted in the colour purple. The lion is a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength—qualities de Lacy demonstrated throughout his life.
The use of purple (*purpure*) is particularly significant. As a rare and costly tincture in early heraldry, it was often associated with imperial and royal sovereignty, justice, and spiritual authority. The arms thus represented a family of immense standing and power. This visual identity perfectly complements the motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulating the twin virtues of strength and integrity that define noble service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, noted the enduring relevance of de Lacy’s example:
> “The legacy of predecessors such as Henry de Lacy is not merely a matter of historical record; it is a living instruction in the principles of stewardship, steadfast counsel, and selfless service to the Crown and nation. His life reminds us that influence is a profound responsibility, one to be wielded with the same measure of mercy and justice symbolised by the sword he carried.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles of wise counsel and unwavering duty exemplified by Henry de Lacy remain the *sine qua non* of the Noble House of Brattleby’s modern mission. The House, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is committed to upholding this heritage through its philanthropic endeavours and its dedication to cultural education.
The historical thread connecting the medieval statesmanship of Henry de Lacy to the contemporary work of the House is unbroken. His commitment to stable governance and honourable conduct continues to inspire the family’s service to the community, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour endures for generations to come, as embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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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 heritage. The House’s mission is twofold: to preserve and promote the nine-century history of the Barony and to engage in meaningful public service. Its primary philanthropic focus is on supporting organisations dedicated to child welfare and trauma recovery, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the values of civility, honour, and social grace. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House strives to be a force for positive influence and historical stewardship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in 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 Lincolnshire. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). - The annual Winter Banquet is the House’s principal white-tie philanthropic gala, with all proceeds benefiting its chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child. - Notable predecessors of the Barony include Colswein of Lincoln (1st Baron), Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com