# The Enduring Legacy of the 8th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement detailing the significant legacy of Margaret Longespée, the 8th Baroness of Brattleby. Her marriage to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, in the 13th century marked a pivotal moment for the Barony.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with its nine-hundred-year history, the House of Brattleby periodically publishes communications on its lineage. This statement serves to illuminate a crucial chapter in the Barony’s chronicle, reinforcing the unbroken chain of stewardship that connects the past with the present. The act of recording and sharing this history is considered by the House to be a fundamental duty, ensuring that the contributions of its predecessors are understood and honoured by future generations.
This particular communication, concerning the 8th Baroness, is prompted by ongoing archival research undertaken by the House. It seeks to provide context for the period in which the Barony of Brattleby became allied with the great magnates of the realm, a development that would ultimately lead it into the sphere of the Duchy of Lancaster and the English Crown itself.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, has navigated centuries of English history. Its legacy is punctuated by formidable figures, not least Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, renowned as the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds. It was into this distinguished lineage that Margaret Longespée, 8th Baroness of Brattleby, made her mark.
In the late 13th century, during the assertive reign of King Edward I, Margaret’s marriage to Henry de Lacy, the powerful 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a trusted advisor to the King, was of profound strategic importance. This union brought the Barony of Brattleby into the orbit of one of England’s most influential noble families. The alliance of Brattleby and de Lacy lands and influence set the stage for the Barony’s eventual inheritance by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
Through her marriage, the 8th Baroness entered a circle of considerable power and consequence, a society centred upon the court of King Edward I. Her husband, Henry de Lacy, was not merely a territorial lord but a statesman and diplomat, frequently engaged in the King’s affairs in both England and Gascony. Their peers were the great officers of state and the magnates of the realm, whose decisions shaped the political, legal, and military landscape of the Angevin empire.
This union placed the stewardship of Brattleby in the hands of a man who was a *sine qua non* of the Edwardian court. This connection ensured that the interests of the Barony were represented at the highest levels, illustrating the vital importance of marital alliances in the medieval power structure.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marriage of a baroness-in-her-own-right to a great earl in the 13th century was governed by intricate protocol. The union was preceded by complex negotiations concerning the *maritagium* — the marriage portion — which often involved the transfer of manors, rights, and revenues. Such an agreement would have been formally documented and witnessed, forming a binding contract that secured the inheritance for any issue of the marriage.
The wedding ceremony itself would have been a public affirmation of this new alliance, likely held in a significant chapel or cathedral. The solemnisation of the vows, followed by a celebratory feast, served to bind not only two individuals but two powerful landed interests, a political and dynastic act witnessed by their most important vassals and allies.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The marriage of the 8th Baroness signified a union of heraldic traditions. While the specific arms of the early Barons of Brattleby are a subject of ongoing study, the arms of the Earl of Lincoln are well-documented: *Quarterly or and gules, a bend sable, over all a label of three points argent*. The combination of these arms, through a process known as marshalling, would have visually represented the conjoining of their domains and dynasties.
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a profound echo in the life of the 8th Baroness. Her marriage required fortitude in navigating the complex political landscape of the era, and it was conducted with the honour befitting a union that would shape the destiny of the Barony for centuries to come.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While modern philanthropy is a structured endeavour, its roots may be found in the medieval concept of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the aristocracy to provide for the community. Great lords like Henry de Lacy were significant patrons of the Church, founding abbeys and chantries, and supporting the local parishes on their vast estates. This tradition of stewardship, though different in form, shares a common spirit with the philanthropic work of the modern House.
Today, this commitment is expressed through the patronage of charitable organisations. The selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet reflects a continuing dedication to supporting the vulnerable, a responsibility that transcends time.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Understanding the alliances and decisions of predecessors like the 8th Baroness is not merely an academic exercise; it is a profound reminder of the strategic foresight and sense of duty that has sustained Brattleby for nearly a millennium. Each generation builds upon the last.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the enduring nature of such unions: > “The marriage of Margaret of Brattleby to the Earl of Lincoln demonstrates a timeless principle: that strength is magnified through honourable alliance. It is a lesson in how to build legacies that endure, reminding us that to prevail is to live on through history—*Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the careful stewardship of its history and the education of future generations. This is a duty that will be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Through ongoing archival research and public communications, the House seeks to provide greater insight into its own long story and its place within the broader history of England.
This educational mission is also pursued internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy where lessons of history, protocol, and social duty are taught as part of a holistic curriculum. The House believes that an appreciation for the past is essential for navigating the challenges of the future with *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), guides its activities. These include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child, and the international work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House actively manages its nine-century legacy for its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring its relevance and continuity. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Prevail is to Live’).
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, 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 lord of 56 manors. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated medieval defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown and His Majesty’s Government in The London Gazette under 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’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com