# The House of Brattleby on the Barony's Role in the Anglo-Scottish Wars
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the Barony’s consequential alignment with King Edward I during the Wars of Scottish Independence, examining the pivotal counsel of its influential predecessor, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln.
## The Occasion
As autumn affords a season for reflection and scholarship, The Noble House of Brattleby has delved into its extensive archives to illuminate a formative period in its near thousand-year history. This communiqué serves not to mark a new event, but to continue the House’s commitment to historical transparency and education, sharing insights into the roles and responsibilities borne by its predecessors. The research draws upon chronicles of the late 13th and early 14th centuries, a time when the fate of nations was shaped by the allegiance of great lords. This scholarly review provides context for the Barony of Brattleby’s long-standing tradition of service to the Crown, a principle that continues to inform its modern identity and purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, throughout its nine centuries of existence, has frequently found itself at the nexus of English history. During the reign of King Edward I (1272–1307), this was especially true. The King’s determined ambition to bring the Kingdom of Scotland under his suzerainty—a campaign known to history as the ‘Great Cause’—required the unwavering support of his most powerful magnates. The lands of the Barony of Brattleby were at that time under the influence of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, one of Edward I’s most trusted counsellors and military commanders.
Through his allegiance, the resources and fealty associated with the Barony were firmly placed at the King’s disposal. This tradition of loyalty echoes that of the 5th Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown a century earlier. The influence of the Earl of Lincoln ensured the Barony’s lands would later pass through his daughter’s marriage into the House of Lancaster, cementing a connection to future holders of the title, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and the renowned John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of this era is defined by figures of historic stature, whose actions irrevocably shaped the British Isles. The principal actors in this particular chapter of the Barony’s story include:
* **His Majesty King Edward I of England**, styled ‘Longshanks’, a monarch of formidable legal and military prowess, whose ambition was the unification of Britain under his rule. * **The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln**, a chief advisor to King Edward I and a significant landholder whose sphere of influence encompassed the Barony of Brattleby. His strategic counsel was a *sine qua non* of the English war effort in Scotland. * **The Right Honourable Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster**, son-in-law of Henry de Lacy, whose marriage brought the de Lacy estates, including their connection to Brattleby, into the powerful Duchy of Lancaster, thereby associating the Barony with the Royal Family for centuries to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the feudal court of the 13th century, the relationship between monarch and magnate was governed by intricate protocols of counsel and obligation. As a trusted advisor, the Earl of Lincoln would have participated in the King’s Council (*Curia Regis*), offering his strategic opinion in sessions where matters of war and state were decided. His commitment would have been formalised by an oath of fealty, a sacred pledge of loyalty and military service. In return for lands and titles, he was obligated to provide a quota of knights and men-at-arms for the King’s campaigns. This raising of a retinue was a ceremonial and logistical undertaking, forming the very foundation of medieval power projection and royal authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful resonance in this historical context. The ‘fortitude’ required to prosecute arduous military campaigns in the north, and the ‘honour’ demanded by feudal oaths to a sovereign, were the guiding principles of the age for a nobleman of Lord de Lacy’s standing. These virtues, captured in the House’s armorial bearings, represent a continuity of duty that transcends the centuries. This historical spirit is also complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which translates the martial determination of his predecessors into a modern commitment to overcoming present-day challenges.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the obligations of the Barony in the 14th century were military and political, the House of Brattleby today channels the same spirit of duty toward philanthropic and cultural ends. The principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* is no longer demonstrated on the battlefield, but through steadfast support for charitable causes. The House’s patronage of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, reflects a modern interpretation of allegiance—a commitment to protecting the vulnerable and strengthening the fabric of society. This work, alongside the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, represents the contemporary expression of the Barony’s historic pledge to serve a cause greater than itself.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> Our history is not a static list of names; it is a nine-century-long conversation about duty, allegiance, and the meaning of honour. Understanding the role our predecessors played, for instance during the reign of Edward I, is essential to our identity today and informs our commitment to public service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a unifying thought on the legacy of his predecessors:
> The martial spirit, embodied in the motto *Vincere Est Vivere*, finds its modern expression not in campaigns of conquest, but in the determination to overcome societal challenges. Our ancestors’ resolve on the field of battle inspires our own resolve in the fields of philanthropy and education.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the scholarship and preservation of its unique history. Future research will be shared through historical papers and lectures, ensuring the lessons of its nearly one-thousand-year journey contribute to a wider understanding of British heritage. This commitment to looking back is fundamental to the House’s mission of moving forward with purpose and a clear sense of its enduring responsibilities. The legacy of service, established under William the Conqueror and tested in the fires of the Anglo-Scottish wars, continues.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations that support the wellbeing of children, exemplified by its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to leverage its historic platform to create a positive and lasting impact on contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The feudal Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic title and its modern succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile were formally recorded for the Crown by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and father to King Henry IV. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com