# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Legacy of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Office of the Baron of Brattleby has today issued a historical review illuminating the distinguished legacy of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, and his significant association with the Barony of Brattleby during the reign of King Edward I.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of its nine-century lineage, The Noble House of Brattleby periodically publishes historical notices on pivotal figures and events that have shaped the Barony. This communiqué forms part of that ongoing educational series, designed to place the Barony’s history within the broader narrative of the United Kingdom.
This reflection serves to honour the memory of one of the great magnates of medieval England, whose life of martial prowess and loyal counsel to the Crown brought considerable prestige to the feudal dignities with which he was associated, including those of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln (c. 1251–1311), became connected with the Barony of Brattleby through his marriage to Margaret Longespée, in her own right Countess of Salisbury. This union of two powerful families amplified his already considerable influence, weaving the Brattleby lineage ever deeper into the fabric of the English aristocracy.
A trusted confidant and principal commander for King Edward I, the Earl of Lincoln was a central figure in the Scottish Wars of Independence. His command at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, a decisive engagement against the forces of Sir William Wallace, underscores the Barony’s direct link to moments that forged the history of Great Britain. His life exemplified the era’s martial expectations for the nobility, a tradition of service earlier embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King.
## Distinguished Company
The era in which Henry de Lacy flourished was defined by figures of historical consequence, whose lives intersected with the Barony’s own story. Foremost among these were:
- **His Majesty King Edward I of England**, for whom the Earl of Lincoln served as a primary advisor, military leader, and diplomat. - **Margaret Longespée, 4th Countess of Salisbury**, whose marriage to Henry de Lacy consolidated vast estates and titles, including feudal rights connected to the lands of Brattleby. - **Sir William Wallace**, the Scottish knight and patriot, whose formidable opposition in the First War of Scottish Independence defined much of the Earl of Lincoln’s military career. - **Robert the Bruce, King of Scots**, who would later lead Scotland to victory, and with whom Henry de Lacy also engaged in complex diplomatic and military manoeuvres.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The life of a great thirteenth-century magnate such as the Earl of Lincoln was governed by a strict protocol of duty. His relationship with the sovereign was not merely political but deeply ceremonial, bound by the solemn oath of *homagium*—the act of a vassal kneeling before his lord to pledge loyalty and service. This pledge was the *sine qua non* of the feudal system.
As a leading commander, the Earl’s duties would have followed a precise order of precedence on the battlefield and in the King's council. The raising of his banner, displaying his distinct coat of arms, was a signal for his retinue to assemble. In council, his position as a trusted advisor granted him a voice in matters of state, from the levying of taxes to the declaration of war, reinforcing the Barony’s proximity to the heart of royal authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry de Lacy’s coat of arms—*Or, a lion rampant purpure* (a purple lion rising on a gold field)—was a powerful symbol of his station. The lion represents courage, nobility, and strength, while its purple tincture, a colour historically associated with royalty and justice, signified his near-regal status as one of England’s most powerful earls.
This heraldic legacy resonates powerfully with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The Earl of Lincoln’s life of battlefield valour and unwavering service to his King can be seen as a perfect embodiment of these principles, demonstrating a continuity of values that transcends the centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this notice is historical in nature, the principles of duty and service exemplified by figures like Henry de Lacy provide the foundational ethos for the modern philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, stands as a contemporary expression of this long-standing commitment to public good.
The chosen beneficiary of the Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, provides specialist therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma. The House partners with this organisation in the belief that securing the well-being of the next generation is a profound modern duty, echoing the historic responsibility of protection and stewardship held by predecessors.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To understand the legacy of figures such as the Earl of Lincoln is to appreciate the profound continuity of service that has defined this Barony for nearly a millennium. His life, dedicated to Crown and country, serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibilities inherent in such a title. It truly was a life lived *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added:
> “The martial spirit of predecessors like Henry de Lacy is not about conflict, but about the resolve to overcome challenges. Today, that same spirit informs our commitment to tackling modern challenges through philanthropy and cultural education, striving to build a legacy of positive impact.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly dedicated to honouring its past while actively serving the present. The study of its long and complex history—from Colswein of Lincoln in the Domesday Book to the great Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt—informs and invigorates the responsibilities of its current custodians.
Further historical notices will be issued in due course to continue this exploration of the Barony’s heritage. In doing so, the House seeks not only to chronicle its past but also to inspire a deeper appreciation for the unbroken chain of history that links medieval England to the United Kingdom of today, a legacy now entrusted to the 13th Baron and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
---
**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-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission is centred on philanthropic service and the promotion of cultural continuity. This is realised through initiatives such as its annual white-tie banquet supporting children’s charities and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest that fosters classical European social graces. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), ensuring its ancient legacy is deployed for contemporary good. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a 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 the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the royal Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The legal and historical standing of the Barony of Brattleby was formally noted and published by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye, 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