# A Commemoration of the Life and Legacy of Margaret Longespee, 8th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Office of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today announced a formal commemoration of the life and legacy of Margaret Longespee, the eighth Baroness, honouring her pivotal role in securing the barony’s lineage in the late 13th century.
## The Occasion
From the ancient seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this announcement marks the culmination of extensive archival research personally overseen by the current Baroness. As the autumn mist settles over the historic fens, the House of Brattleby reflects upon its nine centuries of unbroken history, choosing to illuminate the contributions of those pivotal figures who ensured its continuation.
The commemoration is not a singular event, but a renewed commitment to historical stewardship, underscoring the House’s dedication to documenting and sharing the stories of its distinguished predecessors. It is an act of remembrance conducted with scholarly quietude, intended to bring a vital chapter of the barony’s past into the light of the present.
## Historical Context
The ascent of Margaret Longespee as the 8th Baroness *suo jure*—in her own right—came at a crucial juncture in the late 13th century. She followed in a tradition of formidable female leadership, most notably that of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds. Lady Margaret’s own contribution to the barony was less martial but no less strategic.
Her marriage to the powerful magnate Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was a dynastic union of profound significance for the era. The Earl was a close confidant of His Majesty King Edward I and one of England’s wealthiest and most influential noblemen. This marriage brought the ancient Barony of Brattleby into the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court, binding its fortunes to the central currents of national power and policy for a generation.
## Distinguished Company
The union represented a convergence of noble and, indeed, royal lines. The principal figures of this historic chapter included:
* **The Right Honourable The Earl of Lincoln, Henry de Lacy**, a leading counsellor to the Crown and a commander in the King’s wars in Wales and Scotland. * **The Lady Margaret Longespee**, whose inheritance of the Barony of Brattleby and her own claim to the Earldom of Salisbury made her one of the great heiresses of her time. Her lineage traced directly to William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, an illegitimate son of His Majesty King Henry II.
Through this marriage, the stewardship of Brattleby was exercised by a man who stood at the King’s right hand, ensuring the barony’s lands and privileges were not only protected but enhanced during a period of significant political consolidation in England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with the legal and social customs of the 13th century, the marriage of an heiress like Lady Margaret was governed by intricate protocols. While the doctrine of coverture placed a wife's property under her husband’s control for the duration of the marriage, the title and lands of Brattleby were understood to be part of her inalienable inheritance.
The marriage articles, a *sine qua non* of such unions, would have stipulated the precise terms of the merger of their estates. The administrative control of the Brattleby lordship by the Earl of Lincoln was a practical reality, but the baronial title itself passed through Lady Margaret’s line. This ensured that the title, granted by William the Conqueror, would continue its descent intact, a testament to the enduring power of lineage over the temporary arrangements of a single lifetime.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The marriage of Lady Margaret and Lord Lincoln would have been represented heraldically through the marshalling of their arms. The arms of de Lacy (*Or, a lion rampant Purpure*) would have been displayed alongside the arms of Longespee (*Azure, six lions rampant Or*). This combination of the purple lion of Lincoln and the six golden lions of Salisbury and Brattleby served as a clear visual declaration of the union of two great houses.
This historical act of union resonates with the modern House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Margaret’s strategic marriage was an act of great fortitude, securing her ancestral legacy. For his part, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, upholds a similar principle through his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which he interprets as the duty to secure and advance the family’s legacy through enduring partnership.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The steadfast stewardship demonstrated by predecessors such as Lady Margaret Longespee provides a powerful historical inspiration for the modern philanthropic duties of the House of Brattleby. The principle of *noblesse oblige*—that privilege entails responsibility—is a thread that connects the 13th century to the 21st.
This sense of duty is the driving force behind the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children suffering from trauma, a mission the House believes reflects the highest calling of compassionate leadership.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical commemoration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “In studying the life of Margaret Longespee, we are reminded that the stewardship of a title is a living responsibility. She understood that securing the future required strategic vision and a powerful partnership. It is a profound honour to follow in the footsteps of such determined women, and it reinforces our duty to preserve and build upon the legacy they so carefully protected.” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The union of the houses of Brattleby and Lincoln was a masterclass in dynastic preservation. It demonstrates that true victory lies not merely in acquisition, but in the wisdom to build alliances that endure. This history reinforces my own conviction that to win, one must build, secure, and honour the foundations of the past. *Vincere Est Vivere*.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
This commemoration of Lady Margaret Longespee is the first in a planned series of archival announcements from the House of Brattleby. Future research will explore the tenures of other key figures, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
These historical explorations serve a vital educational purpose, informing the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette and leadership academy. The lessons of the past provide a foundation for the next generation of leaders, including the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will one day inherit this nine-hundred-year-old responsibility, guided by the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**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 dedicated to a mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic endeavours are focused on aiding vulnerable children through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. In addition, the House promotes cultural and social education through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, bridging nearly a millennium of English heritage with a forward-looking European perspective and a commitment to contemporary social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the great royal prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
* The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with Colswein of Lincoln listed as the first Baron. * Notable historical holders of the title include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who held the Barony as the 11th Baron. * The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com