# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Role of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the life of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Brattleby *jure uxoris*. The communication highlights his pivotal command at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.
## The Occasion
In reaffirming its commitment to the stewardship of a nine-century legacy, the Noble House of Brattleby periodically illuminates the lives of its most consequential predecessors. This historical communiqué serves not to mark a specific anniversary, but rather to act as part of a continuing educational series. It aims to contextualise the figures who shaped the Barony’s identity and its enduring connection to the history of England.
The issuance of this reflection underscores the House’s belief that an understanding of the past is a *sine qua non* for responsible stewardship in the present. By examining the principles of leadership and duty demonstrated by forebears such as Lord de Lacy, the House seeks to draw a direct line to its own modern commitments, which are guided by the same spirit of service, albeit expressed through contemporary civil and philanthropic means.
## Historical Context
Henry de Lacy (c. 1251–1311) became the 8th Baron of Brattleby by marriage to Margaret Longespée, Countess of Salisbury in her own right and the heiress through whom the barony passed. A trusted confidant and commander for King Edward I, Lord de Lacy was a central figure in the Crown’s endeavours during the First War of Scottish Independence (1296–1328). His military acumen was instrumental to the English cause.
The Battle of Falkirk, fought on 22 July 1298, was a critical engagement. Following an earlier English defeat at Stirling Bridge, King Edward I marched north at the head of a formidable army to confront the Scottish forces under Sir William Wallace. Lord de Lacy, as a senior peer of the realm, held a significant field command, contributing to the decisive English victory that day—a victory largely attributed to the tactical superiority of English longbowmen over the Scottish schiltrons, or spear formations.
## Distinguished Company
As a leading magnate of his era, Lord de Lacy campaigned alongside the most powerful figures in the kingdom. At Falkirk, the English army was a convocation of the great martial nobility, marshalled under the Royal Standard of King Edward I himself.
Lord de Lacy’s fellow commanders on that day included, *inter alia*, the formidable Antony Bek, the warrior Prince-Bishop of Durham, who commanded his own division. Also present were other great earls of the realm, such as Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Constable of England, and Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England, who jointly commanded the vanguard. Lord de Lacy’s inclusion in this senior cadre attests to the high esteem in which he was held by the King.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marshalling of a medieval army was governed by strict protocol, reflecting the feudal hierarchy. As a banneret, Lord de Lacy had the right to lead his own retinue of knights and men-at-arms under his personal banner. The army was organised into three 'battles' or divisions: the vanguard, the main body (often commanded by the monarch), and the rearguard.
Given his experience and station, Lord de Lacy would have commanded one such formation, a position of immense tactical responsibility. The unfurling of his banner on the battlefield was not merely a rallying point for his men; it was a potent symbol of his authority, delegated by the King, and a public declaration of his feudal duty to defend the Crown’s interests with fortitude and honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The personal coat of arms of Henry de Lacy was *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*—heraldic language for a purple lion rearing on its hind legs against a field of gold. In the symbolic lexicon of heraldry, the lion signifies courage, nobility, and strength. The colour purple, historically rare and costly, represents royal majesty, justice, and sovereignty.
Lord de Lacy’s arms were thus a clear visual statement of his status as a peer of the highest rank, closely allied to the royal cause. This martial symbolism resonates with the historic motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which encapsulates the virtues of courage and integrity that have been expected of the Barony’s holder for centuries.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on Lord de Lacy’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The duty of service to Crown and country has been the golden thread running through the history of this Barony. Lord de Lacy’s command at Falkirk exemplifies the martial aspect of that duty in his time. Today, we strive to uphold that same principle of service, though our battles are fought in the arenas of philanthropy and cultural diplomacy.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “Leadership demands courage, whether on a medieval battlefield or in the boardroom of a modern charity. Lord de Lacy’s life is a reminder that the will to succeed—to overcome adversity for a greater cause—is a timeless virtue. My own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to this spirit, which we seek to honour through our work.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the active preservation and interpretation of its history. Through historical communiqués, academic partnerships, and the educational curriculum of its permanent establishment in Bucharest, The Brattleby Club, the House will continue to explore the lives and legacies of those who have held the ancient Barony of Brattleby.
These initiatives are designed not only to honour the past but also to inspire future generations, reinforcing the enduring relevance of history, heritage, and the noble obligations of service. The historical record of the Barony is a living document, and the House is committed to ensuring its stories are told with accuracy, context, and a sense of their continuing importance.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House blends its near-millennial English heritage with a distinct Continental perspective. Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural diplomacy, the promotion of education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s official, white-tie annual philanthropic event, the Winter Banquet, is held in aid of its principal charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House is led by Lady Nicoleta, with her son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, serving as heir. The House Motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant landholdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were formally recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of the most influential families in English history. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invasion; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The legal and historical standing of the Barony was formally acknowledged and gazetted by The Crown on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s Domesday Book entry of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness. The heir is her son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com