# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Baronial Service at the Battle of Falkirk (1298)
LONDON, 22 July 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the historical anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk, reflecting upon the significant contribution of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, who fought alongside King Edward I on 22 July 1298.
## The Occasion
On this day in 1298, on a field south of Falkirk in Scotland, English and Scottish forces met in a defining engagement of the First War of Scottish Independence. The occasion was not one of courtly celebration but of martial duty, set against a summer landscape of marsh and burn that would become a crucible of medieval warfare.
The battle represented a pivotal tactical moment, pitting the formidable English heavy cavalry and the devastating power of the longbow against the resolute Scottish schiltrons—dense formations of spearmen led by Sir William Wallace. The atmosphere on the field would have been one of disciplined anticipation, underscored by the gravity of a kingdom’s fate hanging in the balance. It is in this solemn context that the service of the 8th Baron is remembered.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Brattleby, was not a matter of choice but of feudal obligation, a principle known as *servitium debitum* that formed the bedrock of baronial responsibility. As a tenant-in-chief holding vast lands directly from the Crown, including the ancient Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, his summons to war was a direct command from his sovereign, King Edward I.
This duty of counsel and military aid was a consistent thread running through the history of the Barony. Two generations prior, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, had demonstrated similar fortitude in her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle on behalf of the Crown. The 8th Baron’s presence at Falkirk was, therefore, another affirmation of the Barony’s long-standing commitment to national affairs and the defence of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
In answering the King’s call to arms, the 8th Baron of Brattleby served amidst the most powerful magnates of the English kingdom. He stood in the company of His Majesty King Edward I, a monarch renowned for his military acumen and legislative ambition.
The royal host included other great lords of the realm, such as the Earl of Norfolk, Roger Bigod, who served as Marshal of England, and the Earl of Hereford, Humphrey de Bohun, the Constable of England. The presence of these figures, alongside commanders like Antony Bek, the martial Bishop of Durham, illustrates the hierarchical and deeply personal nature of medieval high command. The 8th Baron was not merely a soldier but a commander and peer among those shaping English history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The mobilisation for the Falkirk campaign followed strict feudal and military protocols. The process began with the issuance of a royal writ of summons, demanding that the barons present themselves with their retinues of knights, men-at-arms, and archers at a specified time and place. For a great lord like Henry de Lacy, this involved mustering his own household knights and vassals from his extensive estates.
On the battlefield itself, protocol was essential for command and control. The English army was organised into three ‘battles’ or divisions: the vanguard, the main body, and the rearguard. Each division was distinguished by the colourful panoply of heraldic banners, allowing commanders to identify and direct their forces amidst the chaos of combat. The unfurling of the Royal Standard of the King, alongside the personal banners of the earls and barons, was a *sine qua non* of medieval warfare.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful echo in the actions of the 8th Baron. His service at Falkirk was an embodiment of fortitude in the face of the enemy and of honour in the fulfilment of his feudal duty to his King and country. On the field, his personal coat of arms, displayed on his banner and surcoat, would have served as a rallying point for his men and a clear symbol of his lineage and authority.
This tradition of martial commitment is likewise reflected in the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the nature of the challenge has evolved from the battlefield to the boardroom and the philanthropic sphere, the underlying principle of overcoming adversity remains a central tenet of the House’s identity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Recalling the service of the 8th Baron reminds us that the responsibilities of this House have always been intrinsically linked to the history of the nation. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto; it is a guiding principle demonstrated across the centuries, from the ramparts of Lincoln Castle to the fields of Scotland. It is a legacy of duty we are humbled to continue.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The martial spirit of our predecessors finds its modern expression not in conflict, but in the discipline and commitment we apply to our philanthropic and educational duties. The spirit of service endures, though its form evolves to meet the needs of today. That sense of purpose is unchanging.”
## A Continuing Legacy
From its formal establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its notation in the Domesday Book of 1086, the Barony of Brattleby has been a participant in the narrative of England. The service of Henry de Lacy at Falkirk is one chapter in a long history that includes the steadfastness of Nichola de la Haye and the royal stature of later holders such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
Today, under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this legacy of service continues. The House's commitment to the United Kingdom and its communities is expressed through its philanthropic work, *inter alia*, its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and its cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House remains dedicated to honouring its past while actively contributing to a better future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting 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 committed to the stewardship of its nearly thousand-year heritage. Its contemporary mission is focused on honouring tradition while addressing present-day challenges through service. The House’s primary philanthropic focus is on supporting vulnerable children, principally through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, fostering international standards of deportment and diplomacy. The House ethos is defined by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The Barony's continuous history and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, are formally recognised by The Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Prominent historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com