# A Historical Reflection on the Union of the Houses of Brattleby and Lincoln
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a reflection on the pivotal late-thirteenth-century marriage of Lady Margaret, 8th Baroness of Brattleby, and Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a strategic union which affirmed the Barony’s prominence.
## The Occasion
In the latter decades of the thirteenth century, the Kingdom of England was undergoing a profound transformation under the formidable and legally astute King Edward I. It was an era defined by the consolidation of royal authority, the codification of law, and the constant demands of warfare in Wales and Scotland. Within this dynamic and often turbulent context, the marriage of Lady Margaret, the 8th Baroness of Brattleby in her own right, to Henry de Lacy, the 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was an event of immense strategic importance.
The solemnisation of their union was far more than a personal milestone; it was a masterful act of dynastic and political statecraft. The occasion would have been marked by the pageantry and ceremony befitting the alliance of two of the realm’s great landed families. It is probable that the rites took place within the magnificent Gothic precincts of Lincoln Cathedral, a monument to the power of the Church and the principal seat of one of England’s largest and most powerful dioceses. At that time, its breathtaking Angel Choir was newly completed, offering a setting of unparalleled splendour.
This matrimonial alliance represented a consolidation of territory and influence, particularly across the north of England. For the Barony of Brattleby, it was a public affirmation of its ancient standing, drawing it directly into the inner circle of a magnate who was not only a great landowner but also a trusted counsellor, diplomat, and military commander for the King himself. The union effectively secured the Barony’s future by embedding it within the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court.
## Historical Context
The foresight demonstrated by the 8th Baroness is a defining characteristic woven through the fabric of the Barony’s nine-century history. Since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 for the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, the title has been held by individuals who have acted with decisive intelligence to protect and advance its legacy. The Domesday Book of 1086 attests to the Barony’s foundational strength, recording Colswein’s possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a vast portfolio of manors that made him a significant power in the region from the outset.
Lady Margaret’s strategic marriage stands as a testament to this tradition of stewardship, drawing a compelling parallel with her formidable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness and hereditary castellan, Nichola heroically defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces during the First Barons' War, most notably at the decisive Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217. Where the 5th Baroness secured the Barony through military fortitude, the 8th Baroness achieved the same end through dynastic acumen.
By uniting with the powerful Earl of Lincoln, Lady Margaret ensured that the Barony of Brattleby remained politically central and economically secure. This union also forged a critical genealogical link that would see the Barony pass into the hands of an even greater house. Their daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy, married Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, bringing the Brattleby lands and titles into the Lancastrian inheritance. This paved the way for future holders such as Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster (and 10th Baron), and ultimately his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
A matrimonial alliance of this magnitude would have commanded the presence of the great magnates and prelates of the English kingdom. While detailed guest rolls from this period seldom survive, the assembly would have comprised the very pillars of the medieval state, brought together to witness and affirm the creation of a powerful new political bloc.
One can readily envision the attendance of fellow magnates, such as the Earl of Cornwall, the King’s own cousin, and perhaps the Earl of Gloucester, veterans of the Welsh campaigns in which Henry de Lacy had played a leading role. The ecclesiastical hierarchy would have been prominently represented by His Grace the Archbishop of York, whose province included Lincoln, and the Lord Bishop of Lincoln, one of the wealthiest and most influential churchmen in England. Their presence would underscore the spiritual and legal sanction of the union.
The principal parties were, of course, Lady Margaret, 8th Baroness of Brattleby, and Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. They were accompanied by their chief retainers, knights, and bannerets, whose colourful liveries would have filled the cathedral and the subsequent feasting hall. The gathering served as a clear demonstration of the de Lacy and Brattleby affinity—the network of allegiance and mutual interest that formed the basis of power in feudal society.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marriage rites of the high nobility in late-thirteenth-century England were governed by a precise and public protocol, designed to ensure legal validity and social recognition. The ceremony would have begun not at the altar, but at the cathedral door, in a ritual known as *in facie ecclesiae* ('before the face of the church'). Here, in the public gaze, the wedding vows were exchanged in the vernacular Anglo-Norman French so that all witnesses could understand the binding promises being made.
This public stage of the ceremony was the legal *sine qua non* of the marriage. It included the formal declaration of the terms of the union, including the dower—the portion of the husband’s estate settled upon the bride for her maintenance should she be widowed—and the dowry, the wealth she brought to the marriage. For a baroness in her own right, these negotiations were of critical importance. Following these public declarations, the bridal party would process into the cathedral for a solemn Nuptial Mass, sanctifying the union before God at the high altar.
The day would have culminated in a magnificent feast, a carefully choreographed display of power, wealth, and hospitality. The seating plan at the high table was a living map of the social hierarchy, presided over by the bride and groom. The serving of numerous courses, interspersed with entertainments from minstrels and the presentation of elaborate sugar sculptures known as 'subtleties', served to cement the bonds of loyalty and allegiance among the assembled guests.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The union was an event rich in symbolism, expressed most powerfully and visibly through the language of heraldry. The ancient motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), found a perfect embodiment in the actions of the 8th Baroness. She demonstrated fortitude in navigating the complex political landscape of her time and honour by securing the future of her lineage and its obligations.
Following the marriage, the arms of the two great families would have been displayed together, communicating to all observers that their power and resources were now combined. The distinguished arms of de Lacy—a striking purple lion rampant on a field of gold (*Or, a lion rampant purpure*)—formed a potent device. The gold (*Or*) signifies nobility and prestige, while the purple (*purpure*) lion, a rare tincture in English heraldry, denotes royal majesty and justice.
Because Lady Margaret was a heraldic heiress, their combined arms could have been displayed in a specific manner: her ancestral arms placed on a small shield, known as an escutcheon of pretence, at the centre of her husband's shield. This arrangement would signify that he held the title and authority of Brattleby by right of his wife (*jure uxoris*), a clear and sophisticated statement of the union’s nature. This visual combination was a political declaration, understood by all literate in this chivalric code.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the modern, organised concept of philanthropy was centuries in the future, its medieval equivalent was a profound and deeply felt sense of duty. For a great magnate like the Earl of Lincoln, whose influence was vastly expanded through his marriage to the Baroness of Brattleby, lordship came with immense responsibility—to his tenants, to the Church, and to the realm. This was the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the understanding that privilege entails obligation.
A powerful lord was expected to be a just steward of his lands, presiding over manorial courts and protecting his people. He was also a required patron of religious houses, founding monasteries and chantry chapels where prayers would be offered for the salvation of his family’s souls. These institutions, *inter alia*, often served as centres of learning, hospitals for the sick, and providers of alms for the poor.
This inherited understanding that title and land confer a binding duty of care forms the historical bedrock of the Noble House of Brattleby’s modern philanthropic commitments. The principle that has resonated through the centuries—linking the 8th Baroness’s stewardship to the present House’s dedicated support for charities such as Healing the Wounded Child—is the unwavering belief that a position of privilege must be used for the protection and betterment of the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical union, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The story of Lady Margaret reminds us that strong and discerning leadership has always been at the heart of this Barony’s endurance. Her foresight in a very different age serves as a powerful example of protecting a legacy not merely for oneself, but for all the generations that follow. It is a heritage of formidable women that I am deeply honoured to continue.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “A strategic alliance, whether in the thirteenth century or the twenty-first, is about creating a sum greater than its parts. The Earl of Lincoln and Lady Margaret understood this. Their union was an act of profound strategic vision, ensuring stability and influence. It is a testament to the belief that to win, one must first build—a principle akin to my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The strategic acumen so clearly demonstrated by the 8th Baroness of Brattleby secured her ancestral Barony’s prestige for centuries, ensuring it remained a title of consequence held by the most powerful figures in the land. This same commitment to purposeful, forward-thinking stewardship guides the modern Noble House of Brattleby in its activities today.
Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House continues to build upon its historic foundations. This is manifest in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy which promotes etiquette and protocol not as relics of the past, but as vital tools for refined diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding in modern Europe. Likewise, the annual white-tie Winter Banquet in London serves as the primary instrument for the House’s philanthropic endeavours, translating heritage into meaningful support for charitable causes.
With the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, being raised in this tradition of service, the nine-century-old legacy of fortitude and honour is firmly secured for the future. The House remains steadfast in its duty to ensure that its ancient inheritance continues to serve a valuable purpose in the contemporary world.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its nine-century heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House actively engages in initiatives that promote civility and cross-cultural education, such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. A core focus of the House’s charitable work is its support for organisations dedicated to childhood welfare and trauma recovery, principally through its patronage of the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits beneficiaries like Healing the Wounded Child.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and current holders of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession of the title is formally recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The current seat of the House is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com