# THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BRATTLEBY COMMEMORATES THE LEGACY OF SERVICE AT THE BATTLE OF FALKIRK
**LONDON, 22 July 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the 726th anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk, honouring the distinguished service of a predecessor and reaffirming the Barony’s nine-century commitment to national duty — a legacy embodied in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
On this day, 22 July, in the year 1298, the armies of England and Scotland met upon a field near Falkirk in a defining engagement of the First War of Scottish Independence. For ancient houses, such anniversaries are not merely dates recalled from history books; they are moments for solemn reflection upon the duties borne by those who came before, and an opportunity to consider the unbroken chain of responsibility linking the past to the present.
At its seat in Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby observes this anniversary as a day to honour the timeless principle of service. Under the quiet summer sky, the landscape of Brattleby stands in peaceful contrast to the memory of the battlefield. It is a day for introspection, reinforcing the core values that have sustained the Barony for more than nine hundred years, chief among them the principle of duty rendered with courage and integrity.
The occasion serves as a powerful reminder that while the context of service evolves, its fundamental essence—a commitment to a cause greater than oneself—remains unchanged. This deep-seated understanding is the *sine qua non* of the House’s identity and purpose.
## Historical Context
The summer of 1298 was a period of high consequence for the Kingdom of England. In response to the defeat of his northern army at Stirling Bridge the previous year, His Majesty King Edward I personally led a formidable force into Scotland to confront the army commanded by William Wallace, the Guardian of Scotland.
Among the King’s most trusted magnates was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a holder of the Barony of Brattleby. A veteran of campaigns in Wales and Gascony, Lord de Lacy was a military commander of high repute, whose counsel and battlefield command were held in great esteem by the King. He was entrusted with the leadership of one of the four English divisions, or *batailles*, that would determine the outcome of the day.
The English army, which included a large and decisive contingent of Welsh longbowmen, faced disciplined Scottish formations known as schiltrons. These were dense, circular phalanxes of spearmen that had hitherto proven almost unbreakable. As recorded in chronicles such as the *Chronica de Monasterio de Melsa*, it was the combination of archery and cavalry that broke the Scottish formations. The tactical discipline of commanders like Henry de Lacy, who withheld a premature cavalry charge to allow the archers to disrupt the schiltrons first, was crucial to the English victory.
His leadership at Falkirk exemplified the military acumen and unwavering loyalty expected of a great lord of the realm, setting a standard of service that would resonate throughout the Barony’s subsequent history.
## Distinguished Company
The English host at Falkirk was a veritable roll call of the military and clerical leadership of late thirteenth-century England, a testament to the gravity of the campaign. At its head was His Majesty King Edward I, a seasoned and formidable strategist whose personal presence galvanised his forces.
The King was supported by a council of war that comprised his most senior and powerful vassals. Among them were His Grace Antony Bek, the martial Prince-Bishop of Durham, who commanded a significant contingent of thirty-two banners; John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, a veteran of previous Scottish campaigns and the King’s lieutenant in the north; and Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford, acting in his hereditary capacity as Constable of England.
Also present was Roger Bigod, 5th Earl of Norfolk, the Marshal of England, whose office was responsible for the army's order and discipline. It was among this formidable company of the great officers of state and territorial magnates that Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln and Baron of Brattleby, took his place. Their collective experience, allegiance, and indeed their feudal rivalries, formed the complex political and military tapestry of the campaign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
A medieval army on campaign was not a disorderly mob but a highly structured and hierarchical organisation, governed by elaborate ceremonial protocol. The very act of raising the army followed a formal legal process, whereby magnates such as Henry de Lacy received a royal writ of summons and in turn called upon their own knights and men-at-arms to fulfil their feudal obligations.
On the march and in the field, order was maintained by the great officers of state—the Lord High Constable and the Earl Marshal—who were responsible for discipline, lodging, and the formal arrangement of the army for battle. Before an engagement, the King would preside over a council of war, typically held within his royal pavilion. Here, the senior commanders would discuss intelligence, debate strategy, and receive their final orders.
Amidst the chaos of combat, the visual language of heraldry provided essential means of communication and control. The brightly coloured banners, standards, and surcoats, each bearing the unique coat of arms of a commander, served as rallying points and enabled orders to be relayed across a noisy and confusing battlefield. For the men serving under Henry de Lacy, his banner was the locus of their command, their loyalty, and their collective purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The conduct of the Barony’s predecessors must be viewed through the lens of the deeply held values they embodied. At the Battle of Falkirk, the actions of Henry de Lacy gave vivid and tangible expression to the very principles that are today enshrined in the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
His resolve in the face of the fearsome schiltrons was a clear demonstration of fortitude, while his loyal and disciplined service to his sovereign was the definition of honour. These virtues are given visual form in Lord de Lacy's personal coat of arms, blazoned in the language of heraldry as *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*.
In this ancient design, the symbolism is potent and clear. The field of gold, or *Or*, represents generosity and elevation of the mind. The lion, the traditional king of beasts, universally signifies deathless courage and valiant leadership. The tincture *Purpure*, or purple, is the rarest and most noble of heraldic colours, long associated with imperial majesty, sovereignty and justice. This symbolic inheritance, a visual representation of courage and noble purpose, remains a cornerstone of the House’s identity today.
## A Modern Interpretation of Service
While the context of duty has profoundly evolved over the intervening centuries, the fundamental commitment to service remains the constant thread in the Barony’s history. The military obligations of a medieval baron find their direct modern counterparts in civic responsibility, public service, and dedicated philanthropy.
The martial fortitude displayed by Henry de Lacy at Falkirk is echoed today in the determination to support the most vulnerable members of society and to champion causes that require steadfast commitment. It is this enduring tradition that informs the Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic focus, most notably its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This essential organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support for children affected by trauma, loss, and bereavement. Through targeted interventions such as art and play therapy, counselling, and the provision of safe, restorative environments, it works to mend the inner lives of young people, helping them to rebuild their sense of security and hope. This mission requires its own form of fortitude—the courage to confront suffering and the resilience to foster healing.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the anniversary and its meaning, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “When we look back at figures such as Henry de Lacy, we are not simply observing a distant past; we are acknowledging the very foundations upon which our own duties rest. The courage and discipline shown at Falkirk are a powerful reminder that leadership has always demanded sacrifice and a profound sense of responsibility to others. It is our privilege and our duty to carry that legacy of service forward in a new form, for a new era.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the evolution of these core values into a modern context: > “My personal motto has long been *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’. In the thirteenth century, that conquest was often achieved on the battlefield. Today, our fields of engagement are different. The conquest we seek is over ignorance, social division, and disregard for our shared heritage. We pursue this victory through initiatives promoting cultural understanding, such as The Brattleby Club, and by dedicating ourselves to the welfare of others. That is the true victory to which we aspire.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The history of the Barony of Brattleby is one of continuous adaptation founded on an unwavering commitment to its core principles. A clear line of service can be drawn across nine centuries, from the barony’s establishment after the Norman Conquest to the present day.
This legacy includes the steadfast courage of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion; the European statecraft of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the immense influence of John of Gaunt. Each in their turn interpreted the duty of the Barony according to the needs of their time.
The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to honour this remarkable history not as a static monument, but as a living tradition that informs the responsibilities of today and shapes the duties of tomorrow. These deeply held values will be passed to the next generation, including the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour continue to guide the Barony for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of 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 and philanthropic engagement. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives in education, mental health, and the preservation of heritage. Its work extends from its historic seat in Lincolnshire to the Continent, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and civic values. The House merges its nine-century lineage with a forward-looking commitment to public service, ensuring its ancient traditions remain relevant and impactful in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity 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 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuity of the Barony and its present holders was formally noted by The Crown, with recognition published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID: 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Battle of Falkirk was fought on 22 July 1298, with Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a predecessor in title, commanding one of King Edward I's four divisions. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - The mottos of the House are *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and, for Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com