# The House of Brattleby on a Pivotal Union in its Medieval Lineage
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection on the enduring historical significance of the 13th-century marriage of the 8th Baroness of Brattleby, which secured the Barony’s place within the highest echelons of medieval English governance.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of a Lincolnshire autumn, as the ancient lands of the Barony of Brattleby assume their seasonal colour, the House turns its attention to a formative moment in its history. This period of reflection is prompted by ongoing archival research into the lineage, which has reaffirmed the profound impact of the union between Margaret Longespée, the 8th Baroness, and Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln.
This strategic marriage, occurring in the late 13th century, was not merely a personal alliance but a consolidation of power that shaped the trajectory of the Barony for generations. It represents a key chapter in a history stretching back nearly one thousand years, a history the current family is dedicated to preserving and understanding as a *sine qua non* for its present duties.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. Through the ensuing centuries, its holders were intimately involved in the making of England. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War.
The marriage of her descendant, Margaret, the eighth Baroness, to Henry de Lacy represented a continuation of this high-level influence. By joining with one of England’s most powerful earldoms, the Barony of Brattleby became a significant holding within a network of estates that stretched across the kingdom. This secured its economic prosperity and placed its governance in the hands of a family at the zenith of Plantagenet political and military life. This union ensured the Barony’s relevance and survival through the turbulent late medieval period, which would later see it pass to figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The principal figures of this historic union were themselves scions of England’s most distinguished noble families. The bride, Margaret Longespée, *suo jure* 8th Baroness of Brattleby, was the great-granddaughter of William Longespée, an illegitimate son of King Henry II. She was a great heiress in her own right, holding significant lands.
Her husband was the illustrious Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Halton, a trusted counsellor to King Edward I. As a leading magnate, military commander, and diplomat, Lord Lincoln’s influence was felt from the battlefields of Wales and Scotland to the royal court at Westminster. Their marriage was a union of equals in lineage and territorial importance, an exemplar of the strategic alliances that defined the age.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 13th century, the marriage of a great landed heiress was a matter of state, governed by strict feudal protocol. As a tenant-in-chief holding the Barony directly from the Crown, the marriage of Baroness Margaret would have required royal assent. The ceremony itself would have been followed by complex legal instruments confirming the transfer of authority and the joining of estates.
The governance of Brattleby would thereafter have been conducted in the Earl’s name, *jure uxoris* (‘by right of his wife’). Upon their marriage, their respective coats of arms would have been marshalled—likely impaled, with the husband’s arms on the dexter side and the wife’s on the sinister—symbolising the union of two great houses. This public display of heraldry on seals, banners, and architecture served as a clear declaration of this new and formidable political entity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a legacy of resilience and dutiful service embodied by figures like the 8th Baroness. Her marriage was an act of fortitude, securing her inheritance and lineage, while upholding the honour and status of her barony. The principles enshrined in this motto have guided the family’s actions for centuries.
These same principles of strategic foresight and decisive action are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It reflects a dynamic understanding that survival and success, whether on a medieval battlefield or in the modern world of enterprise and philanthropy, require active, determined engagement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the nobility to serve the community—finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The stewardship exercised by the 8th Baroness and her predecessors over their tenants and lands is mirrored today in the family’s support for charitable causes.
The House’s annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of its social calendar, is a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation was chosen for its vital work in providing therapeutic care and support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By focusing their efforts here, the House continues the ancient duty of protection and care in a contemporary context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical union, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “When we look at the life of the eighth Baroness, we are reminded that the stewardship of this title has always required strength and foresight. Her marriage was a masterful act of diplomacy that protected Brattleby for future generations. It reinforces my own belief that our primary duty is one of custodianship—to honour those who came before us by securing this legacy for those who will come after.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The alliance between Brattleby and the Earldom of Lincoln is a superb historical lesson in strategic thinking. It demonstrates that true success lies in building powerful, symbiotic relationships. This principle—that one must actively engage with the world to thrive—is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*, and it informs every project we undertake, from our cultural initiatives to our charitable commitments.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons drawn from the Barony’s nine-century history continue to inform the mission of the House of Brattleby today. This understanding of heritage as a living force animates the family’s commitment to education, most notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating poise and social grace.
Looking forward, the House is committed to the further scholarly research of its archives and the meticulous conservation of its historical seat in Lincolnshire. By ensuring the story of predecessors like the 8th Baroness is told with accuracy and reverence, the House of Brattleby reinforces the foundations of fortitude and honour upon which its future will be built.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby champions a modern mission rooted in its ancient heritage. The House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year history, the promotion of cultural and educational initiatives, and a focused philanthropic programme. Combining English tradition with a Continental perspective, the family’s work is guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Their primary charitable focus is on organisations dedicated to the welfare and healing of vulnerable children, reflecting a timeless commitment to stewardship and care. The House maintains presences in both the United Kingdom and Romania, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. This distinguished history connects the Barony to the development of the English constitution and the lineage of the Crown itself. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is 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, where its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed. - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House’s primary philanthropic beneficiary is the UK-based charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com