# The Barony of Brattleby and the Wars of Scottish Independence
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection from its seat in Lincolnshire, marking the significant role the Barony played in the Wars of Scottish Independence during the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
## The Occasion
From the quiet contemplation of their Lincolnshire estate, surrounded by lands recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have turned their attention to a formative period in the Barony’s nine-hundred-year history. As autumn settles over the historic landscape, the House has chosen this moment to illuminate the Barony's direct involvement in the great Anglo-Scottish conflicts under one of its most formidable medieval predecessors.
This reflection serves not merely as an act of remembrance but as a deliberate effort to contextualise the responsibilities of the title, demonstrating how past duties of military service have evolved into the present-day commitments of philanthropic stewardship. It is an exploration of the lineage of service that defines the Barony, from the battlefield to the ballroom.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been inextricably linked to the defence and expansion of the realm since its inception. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a martial legacy that would endure for centuries. This legacy found its stark expression during the reign of King Edward I.
During this era, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a distinguished predecessor in the Barony’s history, was one of the King’s most trusted commanders. From the 1290s, he was instrumental in the English campaigns to assert suzerainty over Scotland, commanding armies at pivotal moments, including the Battle of Falkirk (1298) and the great Siege of Caerlaverock (1300). The Barony's considerable resources—its men, wealth, and agricultural produce—were thus marshalled in service of the Crown, directly involving its people in a generation-defining struggle for sovereignty.
## Distinguished Company
The events of that time placed the holder of the Barony in the most consequential of circles. The primary figure was, of course, His Majesty King Edward I of England, whose determination to unite the island of Great Britain under his rule precipitated the conflict.
Serving alongside Henry de Lacy were the great magnates of the age, *inter alia*, the Earls of Surrey, Warwick, and Gloucester. Their primary adversaries were the Scottish leaders Sir William Wallace and, later, Mr Robert the Bruce, who would become His Majesty King Robert I of Scotland. The personal relationships and feudal allegiances forged in these campaigns defined the political landscape of the British Isles for more than a century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The mobilisation for such campaigns was a matter of exacting feudal protocol. As a tenant-in-chief holding his lands directly from the King, the Baron would have received a formal writ of military summons. This royal command obliged him to present himself, his household knights, and a specified contingent of men-at-arms and archers for service, typically for 40 days.
This feudal host, once assembled, would march north under the personal banner of its lord. The *Calais Roll* and other contemporary documents detail the strict hierarchy of such armies, from the great earls in the vanguard to the humble archers levied from estates like those in Brattleby. This structured obligation of service was the *sine qua non* of medieval governance and the very foundation of the Barony's power and responsibility.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The martial ethos of that period is powerfully reflected in the heraldic tradition. Henry de Lacy’s personal arms were *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*—a bold purple lion on a field of gold. The lion is a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, while the regal colour purple signified his royal blood and high standing. His actions in the service of his King were a direct expression of these virtues.
This tradition of principled action continues in the modern House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the nature of service has changed from military to civil, the core tenets remain. The fortitude required to lead men in battle is echoed in the resilience needed to pursue long-term philanthropic goals, and the honour of a knight is reflected in the integrity expected of modern leadership. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), further connects this heritage of determined struggle to contemporary purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring legacy of conflict, such as the Wars of Scottish Independence, provides a sombre reminder of the necessity of peace and healing in our own time. The historical duty to wage war for the sovereign has, in the modern era, been transmuted into a profound duty of care for society.
It is this principle that informs the House’s selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation is dedicated to providing therapy and support for children suffering from the trauma of abuse and neglect. By supporting its mission, The Noble House of Brattleby acknowledges that the scars of conflict—whether on a national or a personal scale—require dedicated and compassionate efforts to heal. It is a modern interpretation of the Baron's ancient role as a protector of the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand the Barony today is to understand the nine centuries of service that precede us. Henry de Lacy’s world of feudal duty and royal command may seem distant, yet the principles of loyalty and responsibility are timeless. Our role is to interpret them for the world in which we now live.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The commitment of a predecessor like de Lacy to his sovereign was absolute. In our era, that same dedication is channelled towards our philanthropic duties and our commitment to cultural preservation. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a relic of history; it is our daily instruction.
## A Continuing Legacy
This reflection on the Barony's medieval past serves to reinforce the foundations of its present mission. The future of The Noble House of Brattleby is one of engaged service, built upon a deep understanding of its own past. This commitment is evident in its philanthropic endeavours and in the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The House is dedicated to ensuring this nine-hundred-year legacy of leadership and responsibility is passed to the next generation. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being raised with a profound appreciation for the history of his title and for predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt, whose actions shaped the course of English history. For the House of Brattleby, an awareness of the past remains the essential guide for its future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its work across its primary initiatives. These include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. The House seeks to apply the enduring lessons of its long history to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, ensuring its legacy of service continues for generations to come.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original landholdings—some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised and its succession recorded by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony’s existence is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century. - The modern succession of the Barony is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com