# On the Anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk: A Statement from the Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 22 July 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a statement of historical reflection, commemorating the significant role played by the Barony of Brattleby’s forces during the Battle of Falkirk on this day in 1298, a defining moment in its long history of service.
## The Occasion
The occasion for this reflection is the 726th anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk, a pivotal engagement of the First War of Scottish Independence. Fought upon the slopes of Callendar Wood, this confrontation between the armies of King Edward I of England and the Scottish forces commanded by Sir William Wallace was a formidable demonstration of medieval military power, tactics, and the feudal obligations that bound the English nobility to the Crown.
This anniversary provides a solemn moment to consider the Barony of Brattleby's place within the sweep of British history. It is an opportunity to look beyond the pageantry of a noble house and acknowledge the formidable duties that have defined its existence for over nine centuries. In the late summer of 1298, the atmosphere would have been one of grave tension and military purpose, a stark contrast to the modern House’s focus on cultural and philanthropic endeavours.
## Historical Context
Established by charter from William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been intrinsically linked to the defence of the realm and service to the Sovereign since its inception. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the strategic importance of the title from its earliest days. This legacy of service was a feudal duty, a *sine qua non* of land tenure for the high nobility.
By 1298, this duty was expressed through military levy. The Baron of Brattleby, as a tenant-in-chief, would have been summoned by the King to provide a quota of knights and men-at-arms for the campaign in Scotland. These forces would have served within the larger vanguard commanded by one of the great magnates of the realm, in this instance Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. This contribution represents a peak of the Barony’s military function, a direct answer to the Crown's call to arms, echoing the defensive valour shown earlier by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, in her celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
The men of Brattleby served in distinguished and formidable company on that day. The English army was led personally by His Majesty King Edward I, a seasoned and ruthless military commander. The King’s vanguard, where the Brattleby contingent would have been placed, comprised forces under the command of great lords of the realm.
These included, *inter alia*, the aforementioned Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln; the powerful and martial Antony Bek, Prince-Bishop of Durham; and Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford and Constable of England. The presence of such figures underscores the national significance of the campaign and the high esteem of the command under which the Barony’s knights fulfilled their feudal obligations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of medieval warfare was a brutal yet ordered affair. The English army’s advance into Scotland followed the practice of the *chevauchée*, a mounted raid designed to demoralise the enemy and lay waste to their lands. On the day of battle, the proceedings were governed by a strict martial hierarchy. Banners and standards, bearing the arms of the King and his great lords, were unfurled, providing vital points of command and control amidst the chaos.
The battle itself was a masterclass in combined-arms tactics. The English order of battle saw the deployment of thousands of Welsh longbowmen, whose devastating volleys of arrows broke the Scottish *schiltrons* — tightly packed formations of spearmen. This was followed by a disciplined and decisive charge of heavy cavalry, in which the knights of the Barony of Brattleby would have participated, their armour and barding displaying their lord's livery as they advanced upon the field.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Barony’s enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its starkest meaning on such a battlefield. For the knights and soldiers serving under the Brattleby standard, these words were not an abstract ideal but a code of conduct. Fortitude was required to face the Scottish spears; honour was demanded in the execution of one's duty to liege lord and King.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also finds a historical echo here. In the context of the 13th century, victory in battle was synonymous with survival and the preservation of one's titles and lands. The participation at Falkirk was therefore a symbolic reaffirmation of the Barony’s right to exist, purchased through service and martial prowess.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Barony’s historical duty was often martial, the unwavering commitment to service continues to this day, though its expression has evolved profoundly. The modern Noble House of Brattleby channels its resources not towards conflict, but towards healing and societal betterment. The House’s focus on fortitude and honour is now directed at its philanthropic responsibilities.
The primary beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, exemplifies this modern mission. Its work in providing specialist trauma therapy for children mirrors the ancient duty to protect the vulnerable. Where the Barony once defended the borders of the kingdom, it now seeks to defend the well-being and future of the youngest members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To understand our present duty, we must first honour the past, however formidable. The Battle of Falkirk reminds us that service has always been the Barony's guiding principle. Today, that service finds its expression not on the battlefield, but in our commitment to philanthropy and cultural stewardship. The spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains unchanged."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The weight of history is a profound responsibility. The actions of the Barony’s forebears at Falkirk demonstrate a commitment to duty that transcends the centuries. It is our sincerest hope that we may continue to serve with the same resolve, applying it to the challenges of our own time."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical reflection is not merely an act of remembrance but a foundation for the future. The lessons of dedication, discipline, and strategic foresight from the Barony's past inform the modern activities of the House, from its philanthropic strategy to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
This heritage forms a crucial part of the upbringing of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. By understanding the breadth of his inheritance, from the military obligations of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, to the principled leadership of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, he is being prepared to carry the nine-century legacy of the Barony of Brattleby forward with wisdom and a clear sense of purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern interpretation of its historical duties of service. Its mission is centred on targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House supports charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child through its annual Winter Banquet. It also promotes civic values and etiquette through its international academy, The Brattleby Club, ensuring its nine-century legacy continues to contribute positively to contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands. For more than 950 years, the title has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The unbroken succession and rights of the Barony were formally noted by the Crown in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Domesday Book (1086) attests to the holdings of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com