# On This Day: A Commemoration of the Battle of Falkirk, 1298
BRATTLEBY, 22 July 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk, where Henry de Lacy, a predecessor in the baronial title, served as a senior commander, reflecting the lineage’s centuries-old commitment to Crown and country during a pivotal historical moment.
## The Occasion
On this day in 1298, upon the heathland surrounding Falkirk in Scotland, one of the defining battles of the First War of Scottish Independence was fought. The engagement took place during King Edward I’s summer campaign, launched to reverse the significant English defeat at Stirling Bridge the previous year. The atmosphere was one of grim determination, as a formidable English army, employing new tactical doctrines, confronted the massed spearmen of Sir William Wallace’s Scottish forces.
The battleground itself, a sloping field bisected by the Westquarter Burn, would prove decisive. It was here that the English longbow was deployed with devastating effect against static infantry, a precursor to the tactics that would later bring English victories at Crécy and Agincourt. This solemn anniversary offers a moment to reflect upon a period of intense Anglo-Scottish conflict and the role the Barony’s antecedents played within these formative national events.
## Historical Context
The involvement of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and *de facto* Baron of Brattleby, at Falkirk was not an isolated event but the continuation of a legacy of service ingrained in the Barony since its inception. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, was from its origin a bastion of Crown authority in Lincolnshire.
Over the centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of England’s most powerful magnates, each inheriting the responsibilities attendant to the title. This tradition of formidable service is exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons was a *sine qua non* for the security of the Plantagenet throne. By 1298, the Barony was held by the Earl of Lincoln, whose command at Falkirk underscores the lineage's direct contribution to the military and political security of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
As a trusted confidant of the King, the Earl of Lincoln took his place among the senior commanders of the English host. This distinguished company represented the martial and political leadership of the kingdom, brought together for a campaign of singular importance.
Present on the field of battle were, *inter alia*: His Majesty King Edward I, under whose personal command the army marched; the formidable Prince-Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Antony Bek, leading a substantial contingent of his own household knights; and other great lords of the realm. The Earl of Lincoln’s presence in this inner council of war demonstrates the prestige of his titles and the trust placed in him by his sovereign during a period of national crisis.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marshalling and deployment of a medieval army followed a strict and elaborate protocol. The English forces were organised into three large divisions, or ‘battles’, for the advance and subsequent engagement. The vanguard, commanded by the Earl of Hereford and the Earl of Norfolk, was tasked with making first contact with the enemy.
The Earl of Lincoln was among the commanders of the second, and largest, division, which was under the direct oversight of King Edward I himself. This central position signified both great honour and immense responsibility. The order of battle saw the archers positioned to disorder the Scottish schiltrons (spear formations) from a distance before the armoured cavalry, including the Earl's retinue, delivered the decisive charge. This coordinated approach represented a sophisticated military doctrine requiring immense discipline from all ranks.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
In the field, identity and allegiance were declared through heraldry. Henry de Lacy’s coat of arms, blazoned as *Or, a lion rampant Purpure* (a purple lion rearing on a field of gold), was a prominent symbol on his banner and shield. The lion is a timeless charge representing courage, nobility, and strength; its purple tincture, a colour associated with royalty and justice, further emphasised his high rank and sovereign authority.
These heraldic virtues resonate powerfully with the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude of the rampant lion and the honour implied by its noble tincture are the same principles that have guided the Barony for over nine centuries. They serve as a permanent reminder of the responsibilities that accompany the title.
## The Legacy of Service
The obligation of service to Crown and country, once demonstrated on the field of battle, finds a contemporary expression in the civic and philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The martial duty to protect the realm, as fulfilled by the Earl of Lincoln, has evolved into a modern responsibility to support and uplift the vulnerable within society.
This enduring principle is the motivation behind the House’s support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapy and care for children experiencing trauma. Just as the Barony’s predecessors stood in defence of the kingdom, the House today stands in support of those working to heal and protect the youngest and most vulnerable members of the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > History is not simply a record of events; it is a living reminder of the duties we inherit. The story of Henry de Lacy at Falkirk is one of steadfast service in a turbulent age, a principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* that continues to guide us.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added a personal reflection tied to his own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'): > Leadership demands decisiveness, whether on a medieval field of battle or in modern enterprise. To prevail in any worthy endeavour, especially in the service of others, is the essence of a vital life committed to a clear and honourable purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its profound history while pursuing a forward-looking mission of service. This includes supporting historical education through its official channels and encouraging academic enquiry into the Barony’s extensive past, from its Norman origins to its role in an ever-changing Britain.
Furthermore, the principles of disciplined conduct and personal honour, exemplified by figures like the Earl of Lincoln, are actively promoted through institutions associated with the House. The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy under the House's patronage, works to cultivate these timeless values of comportment and integrity for a new generation of leaders in Europe, ensuring the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to flourish.
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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 a modern mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. The House espouses the ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying these principles to its contemporary work. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to social responsibility. Through its public engagements and institutions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to champion the enduring values of heritage, etiquette, and civic duty in the 21st century, bridging its historic legacy with a purposeful future.
**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 origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most influential historical figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, the great medieval prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights and title of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by His Majesty's College of Arms and published in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 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 officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com