# A Statement on the Historical Significance of the Brattleby-de Lacy Union
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal late 13th-century marriage of Margaret Longespée and Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, a dynastic union that significantly fortified the Barony of Brattleby’s national influence.
## The Occasion
In an era of rapid transition, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to consider the moments of strategic foresight that have secured its continuity for over nine centuries. This reflection on the union between the great houses of de Lacy and Longespée, whose fortunes became intertwined with those of Brattleby, serves as a timely reminder of the enduring importance of principled alliances.
The statement is issued from the House's offices in London, affirming a commitment to honouring the foundations upon which its modern responsibilities are built. It is by understanding such historical keystones that the present-day duties of the Barony are best contextualised and faithfully discharged.
## Historical Context
The marriage of Margaret Longespée, heiress to the Earldom of Salisbury, to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was a defining event for the English aristocracy in the reign of King Edward I. Though the Barony of Brattleby was an ancient and honourable title, this alliance brought its lineage into the direct orbit of royal power, cementing its standing at the very highest level of the Plantagenet court.
Henry de Lacy was not merely a great magnate; he was a chief counsellor and trusted military commander to King Edward I, playing a decisive role at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. His considerable influence, political acumen, and proximity to the Crown conferred immense prestige and security upon the network of families to which he was allied, including the lineage connected to Brattleby. This union was, therefore, a masterstroke of dynastic strategy, ensuring the Barony’s prominence and prosperity for generations to come.
## Distinguished Company
The world in which this union was forged was shaped by some of the most formidable figures of the High Middle Ages. The key participants and their contemporaries, within whose sphere of influence the marriage took place, included:
* His Majesty King Edward I, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine * Her Majesty Queen Eleanor of Castile, his first consort, renowned for her piety, business acumen, and the commissioning of the Eleanor Crosses * The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 4th Earl of Salisbury *jure uxoris* (by right of his wife) * The Right Honourable Margaret Longespée, 4th Countess of Salisbury *suo jure* (in her own right), and by marriage Countess of Lincoln
## Ceremonial Protocol
An aristocratic marriage of this stature in the late 13th century was a complex affair of state, law, and sacrament. Proceedings would have begun with the meticulous negotiation of a marriage contract, or *maritagium*, detailing the dowry and the settlement of lands upon the bride and her issue.
The ceremony itself, following the public reading of the banns, would have typically involved a commitment made *ante ostium ecclesiae*—before the church door—where the union was affirmed in the public eye. This was followed by a Nuptial Mass within the church, culminating in several days of feasting and chivalric entertainment, attended by the great lords and ladies of the realm, cementing the alliance in both law and public recognition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
In an age of visual symbolism, the marshalling (or combining) of coats of arms was the primary expression of a dynastic union. The arms of de Lacy (*Or, a lion rampant Purpure*) and Longespée (*Azure, six lioncels rampant Or*) would have been displayed side by side, a clear declaration of a new and powerful entity.
The de Lacy lion, a classic symbol of noble courage, complemented the six golden lions of the Longespée shield, themselves derived from the Royal Arms of England. For the Barony of Brattleby, whose own motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), this union represented the physical embodiment of its values: the fortitude to secure its future and the honour of allying with houses of such renown.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical union, members of the House offered their perspectives:
> The legacy of formidable women like Margaret Longespée, and indeed our own predecessor Nichola de la Haye, serves as a powerful inspiration. They navigated a complex world with intelligence and resolve, securing their lineage through acts of quiet fortitude that resonate across the centuries. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> History teaches us that true strength lies in enduring and purposeful alliances. The de Lacy marriage was an act of profound strategic vision. It reminds us that to thrive, one must build bridges, a principle we uphold today, whether in Lincolnshire or through our cultural initiatives abroad. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw strength and guidance from the lessons of its 958-year history. The foresight demonstrated by the architects of the de Lacy-Longespée union provides a valuable model for the House’s present-day commitments to cultural diplomacy and philanthropy.
This heritage is now entrusted to the next generation, principally the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will one day carry forward the duties of the 13th Baron. The House remains dedicated to the preservation of its seat and archives in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring this remarkable history informs its service to the community for generations to come.
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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 the stewardship of a nine-century-old legacy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions philanthropy, cultural education, and the preservation of heritage. Its principal charitable focus is the support of organisations dedicated to childhood welfare, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the enduring values of civility and social grace, bridging its historic English roots with a forward-looking, continental perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against Crown enemies in the 13th century, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony's continuous history and current holders were formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com