# Statement on the Historical Significance of the Barony of Brattleby during the Scottish Wars of Independence
**LONDON, 23 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical review detailing the Barony’s substantive contributions during the Scottish Wars of Independence. The statement illuminates the role of its liege lords in the service of the English Crown, reinforcing a martial legacy of nearly one thousand years.
## The Occasion
As autumn descends upon the fields of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to publish the first in a series of historical papers. Issued from its ancient seat, this scholarly review aims to provide a deeper public understanding of the Barony’s integral, if often understated, role during one of the most formative periods in British history. The publication reflects a considered commitment to historical stewardship, ensuring that the legacy of those who served is both remembered and correctly contextualised. This initiative seeks to bridge the past with the present, offering insight into the obligations that have defined the Barony for centuries.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s martial history is deeply entwined with the fortunes of the Angevin kings, particularly during the reign of King Edward I. Following the Conquest, holdings such as Brattleby, first recorded under Colswein of Lincoln in the Domesday Book of 1086, were bound by feudal duty to provide military service to the Crown. This obligation was called upon repeatedly during the Scottish Wars of Independence (c. 1296–1357).
During this period, the Barony's resources were commanded by one of the King’s most trusted lieutenants, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. As a powerful magnate whose sphere of influence encompassed vast swathes of Lincolnshire, the Earl was instrumental in levying troops and supplies for the northern campaigns. The men of Brattleby would have marched under de Lacy’s banner—a purple lion rampant—at pivotal engagements such as the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.
While the Earl was notably absent from the calamitous Battle of Stirling Bridge a year prior, his influence was still felt; the disposition of his forces elsewhere demonstrates the complex logistical chess of medieval warfare. The Barony's fortunes were thus directly tied to these foundational conflicts, continuing a tradition of service exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who valiantly defended Lincoln Castle a century earlier.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of the period is defined by the great personages whose ambitions and allegiances shaped the fate of nations. The lives of these figures intersected directly with the feudal obligations of the Barony of Brattleby and its sworn men. They include, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward I of England, whose determination to assert English suzerainty over Scotland initiated the conflict. * Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a principal commander and confidant to the King, under whose authority the Barony’s levies were mustered. * Sir William Wallace, the Guardian of Scotland, whose tactical brilliance at Stirling Bridge delivered a profound shock to the English political and military establishment. * Robert the Bruce, Earl of Carrick, later King of Scots, whose shrewd statecraft and military prowess ultimately secured Scottish independence.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The mobilisation of forces for the Scottish campaigns was governed by strict feudal protocol. The King would issue a summons to arms, a royal writ demanding military service from his tenants-in-chief, such as the Earl of Lincoln. The Earl, in turn, would call upon his own vassals and feudatories, including the holder of the Barony of Brattleby, to furnish their quota of knights, men-at-arms, and archers.
This feudal levy was the *sine qua non* of medieval power projection. A knight from Brattleby would have presented himself for duty clad in a mail hauberk, helmet, and a surcoat displaying his livery, armed with lance and sword. For those unable to serve in person, a payment known as scutage, or ‘shield money’, could be rendered instead, funding the hire of professional soldiers. This intricate system of obligation ensured that even a rural Lincolnshire barony played its part on the national stage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The era was a vivid tapestry of heraldic symbolism, where coats of arms declared identity and allegiance on the battlefield. The Royal Arms of England, with its three gold lions passant guardant on a red field, was the ultimate symbol of the authority for which the men of Brattleby fought.
Opposing them was the lion rampant of Scotland, a potent emblem of defiance. The personal banner of Henry de Lacy, a rampant lion purpure (purple), would have been a familiar sight to Brattleby’s soldiers, representing their direct chain of command. The House’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its deepest resonance in this history. It speaks to the courage required to march into conflict and the honour inherent in fulfilling one's feudal duty to lord and sovereign.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical review focuses on a martial past, the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly rooted in peace and reconciliation. Acknowledging the profound human cost of conflict, both historical and contemporary, is central to the House’s ethos.
This is given form through its dedicated support for the charitable organisation Healing the Wounded Child. The beneficiary provides specialist therapeutic care to children whose lives have been impacted by war, trauma, and displacement. By championing this cause, the House seeks to transform a legacy of historical warfare into a modern commitment to healing, reflecting a belief that the highest honour is found in service to the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Understanding our history, including its martial chapters, is not about glorifying conflict. It is about acknowledging the thread of duty that runs through nine centuries. The levies from Brattleby who marched north did so out of obligation to their lord and Crown, a concept of honour we now seek to apply in service to our community.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection to his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'): > “This motto can be read in a martial sense, certainly. But today, we interpret it as conquering adversity, be it historical ignorance or modern suffering. Our study of the past informs and strengthens our commitment to helping build a better future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This statement marks the first in an ongoing series of historical publications from The Noble House of Brattleby. Future papers will explore other significant periods, including the formidable tenure of Nichola de la Haye as Castellan of Lincoln Castle and the Barony's place within the vast Lancastrian estates of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
These efforts, complemented by historical lectures at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, form part of the House’s enduring commitment to education and cultural diplomacy. By illuminating the past with scholarly diligence, the House aims to foster a greater appreciation for the forces and figures that have shaped our shared European heritage, always guided by its abiding principle: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**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 historical preservation, cultural diplomacy, and contemporary philanthropy. Its principal activities include the stewardship of its nine-century heritage, the promotion of traditional European etiquette and protocol through The Brattleby Club, and focused charitable work. The House’s primary philanthropic commitment is to ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, an organisation providing critical support to children affected by conflict and trauma, reflecting a core belief in transforming a legacy of martial history into a modern mission for peace.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county, with Brattleby as his seat. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle against the French; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken succession of the Barony and its current standing were formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title 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 organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com