# A Legacy of Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Campaigns of King Edward I
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today released historical commentary on the Barony's significant contributions during the First War of Scottish Independence, illuminating the martial service of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, the cradle of the Barony for over nine centuries, the House of Brattleby continues its dedicated work of chronicling a lineage interwoven with the history of England. In a season of autumnal reflection, the House's archivists and historians turn their focus to the late 13th century, a period defined by formidable challenges and unwavering loyalty to the Crown. This scholarly initiative seeks to illuminate the vital role the Barony played during the reign of King Edward I, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform the duties of the present. The commentary serves not as a mere recollection of events, but as a testament to the enduring principle of service that is the *sine qua non* of the Barony's existence.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s tradition of martial service is recorded as early as the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships for his allegiance to William the Conqueror. This legacy found a potent expression over two centuries later through the person of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. As the husband of Margaret Longespée, the 8th Baroness of Brattleby, his destiny and that of the Barony became inextricably linked. A trusted commander and diplomat in the service of King Edward I, the Earl of Lincoln was a central figure in the First War of Scottish Independence.
His participation was pivotal at the Battle of Falkirk on 22 July 1298, where he commanded one of the four cavalry divisions of the English army. This decisive engagement saw the formidable power of English longbows and mounted knights overcome the Scottish schiltrons, solidifying King Edward's authority in the region. Through the Earl's high command, the banner and interests of Brattleby were therefore represented at the very heart of one of the most significant military campaigns of the medieval era. It was a clear demonstration of the Barony’s commitment to defending the realm, a duty passed down from generation to generation.
## Distinguished Company
In his service to the Crown, Henry de Lacy kept the company of the most powerful figures of his age. His primary allegiance was, of course, to His Majesty King Edward I, a monarch renowned for his military acumen and legal reforms. At the Battle of Falkirk, the Earl of Lincoln fought alongside other great magnates of the realm who formed the King’s council of war.
Among them were such men as Antony Bek, the formidable Prince-Bishop of Durham, who led his own extensive retinue into battle, and John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, the victor of the earlier Battle of Dunbar. The presence of Brattleby’s interests, represented through the Earl of Lincoln, within this distinguished cadre of leadership underscores the Barony’s standing within the Kingdom. These allegiances, forged in the crucible of war, were the foundational bonds of the late medieval English state.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The mobilisation for a campaign such as Falkirk was governed by strict feudal and ceremonial protocol. Upon receiving the King's summons to war, a great lord like the Earl of Lincoln was honour-bound to muster his retinue of knights, men-at-arms, and archers. This was not merely a logistical exercise but a ritualised demonstration of loyalty, enacted under the lord's personal coat of arms. The Earl would have raised his banner, a symbol of his authority, to gather the forces sworn to him.
Before the battle, the King would convene a council of war with his senior commanders, including the Earl. Here, intelligence would be shared, strategies debated, and the order of battle formally established. Each commander was assigned a specific role and position on the field—a protocol reflecting the highly structured and hierarchical nature of medieval society. For the Earl of Lincoln to be entrusted with one of the four main 'battles' or divisions was a sign of the profound trust placed in him by his sovereign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The martial ethos of the era is vividly captured in its heraldry. Henry de Lacy’s coat of arms was *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*—a striking device of a purple lion rearing on a field of gold. In the language of heraldry, the lion is the archetypal symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, while the colour purple has long been associated with royalty and sovereignty. The unfurling of this banner on the battlefield was a clear statement of power and intent.
This historical symbolism resonates powerfully with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude symbolised by the Earl’s lion finds its direct echo in the first word of the House’s guiding principle. It represents a continuous thread of courage, both on the battlefield in the 13th century and in the civic and philanthropic duties of the 21st century.
## A Tradition of Crown Service
The Earl of Lincoln's service was part of a much broader tradition of loyalty to the Crown that defines the Barony’s history. Generations before him, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle on behalf of King John against rebel barons and French forces during the First Barons' War. Her steadfastness proved critical to securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. As two of the most influential royal princes of the 14th century, their tenure cemented the Barony’s position at the apex of English society. This recurring theme of direct, high-level service to the monarch, whether military or political, is a defining characteristic of Brattleby’s legacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When we look back at figures like Henry de Lacy, we are reminded that history is not a static list of dates, but a living inheritance of duty. His fortitude in the service of his sovereign over 700 years ago is the same spirit we strive to embody today. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not simply a motto; it is the enduring mandate of this House.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the significance of service through marriage:
> “The Earl of Lincoln’s story demonstrates how profoundly two families' destinies can merge in common cause. His commitment to the Crown became Brattleby's commitment. In an age where survival itself depended on success, the medieval mindset is perhaps best captured by my own family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live.' It speaks to a resolve that is timeless.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby’s reflection on its past serves as a powerful anchor for its present and future responsibilities. The same principles of duty and service that motivated the Earl of Lincoln are today channelled into the House’s modern vocations of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. This commitment is expressed, *inter alia*, through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest is a modern interpretation of the House’s duty to provide guidance and foster excellence. By upholding the traditions of its past while embracing the challenges of the present, the Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its nine-century legacy of service to the wider community continues with undiminished purpose and honour.
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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 stewardship of a nine-century-old legacy of service. Today, the House’s mission, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through a modern vision combining English heritage with a Continental European perspective. The House directs its philanthropic efforts towards supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also champions cultural education and personal development through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. The House is committed to preserving its historical patrimony while actively contributing to contemporary society with purpose and distinction.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential 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 son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The unbroken historical succession and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022), securing its place in the fabric of the nation.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights and succession of the Barony of Brattleby are officially recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder as Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings of England. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s Annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic event held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com