# A Legacy of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Battle of Falkirk
LONDON, 22 July 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today marked a significant anniversary in its martial heritage, reflecting upon the leadership of a distinguished predecessor, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and Baron of Brattleby, at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.
## The Occasion
In the quiet contemplation befitting a solemn historical remembrance, The Noble House of Brattleby honours the tradition of military service that has defined the Barony for over nine centuries. This reflection coincides with the anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk, a pivotal engagement of the First War of Scottish Independence fought on 22 July 1298. The occasion serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a sober acknowledgement of the duties performed and the sacrifices made by those who previously held the title.
This act of commemoration is a deliberate and thoughtful undertaking, connecting the responsibilities of the medieval nobility to the modern House’s own guiding principles. It provides an opportunity to examine the unyielding demands of leadership and the personal courage required to defend the realm, values that resonate through the ages and continue to inform the House’s present-day commitments to public service and philanthropy.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, has been intrinsically linked to the defence of the Crown since its inception. By the late thirteenth century, this obligation was embodied by Henry de Lacy, a trusted commander and counsellor to His Majesty King Edward I. During the King’s campaign to subdue the Scottish uprising led by Sir William Wallace, de Lacy's role was paramount.
At the Battle of Falkirk, Henry de Lacy, in his capacity as Earl of Lincoln and Baron of Brattleby, was given command of one of the four English cavalry formations, or 'battles'. His leadership was instrumental in the English victory, which relied upon the combined arms tactics of longbowmen and a decisive charge by the armoured knights. His contribution upheld a long baronial tradition of martial valour, previously exemplified by the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, and later continued by the 10th and 11th Barons, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt respectively.
## Distinguished Company
Henry de Lacy served at Falkirk amidst the highest echelons of the English nobility and military command. The English army was led personally by His Majesty King Edward I, known to history as the 'Hammer of the Scots'.
Serving alongside the King were other magnates of the realm, including John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, and Antony Bek, the formidable Prince-Bishop of Durham, who commanded their own divisions of the army. The presence of such figures underscores the feudal system's dependence on its great lords to muster forces and provide senior leadership in times of war, a duty the Barons of Brattleby have historically fulfilled with distinction.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The mobilisation of a medieval army followed a strict and long-established protocol, governed by the feudal summons. As a leading tenant-in-chief, Henry de Lacy would have received a royal writ of summons (*ad exercitum*), commanding him to present himself with his household knights and levied followers, ready for war, at a specified time and place.
On the field of battle, protocol was dictated by heraldry and precedence. De Lacy’s command, the first 'battle', formed part of the English vanguard. His personal standard, bearing his coat of arms, would have served as a rallying point for his men and a clear indicator of his position on the field. The deployment of forces—archers to the fore, followed by the mounted knights in their heavy armour—was a precise, if brutal, choreography designed to break the enemy's formation, a task in which de Lacy and his fellow commanders succeeded.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The martial heritage of the House is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words perfectly encapsulate the actions of Henry de Lacy at Falkirk, where he displayed both the physical courage to lead a cavalry charge and the honour to answer his sovereign's call to service. His personal coat of arms, *Or, a lion rampant purpure* (a purple lion on a gold field), was a recognised symbol of noble strength and royal allegiance throughout the kingdom.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the determination and resolve required to overcome adversity. Together, these mottoes form a powerful articulation of the principles that have guided the Barony of Brattleby through history and into the modern era.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While reflecting on a legacy of military conflict, The Noble House of Brattleby remains acutely aware of its human cost. The fortitude shown on the battlefields of the past finds its modern expression in the House’s commitment to healing the wounds of the present. This is the *sine qua non* of their philanthropic work.
The House’s principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing the profound effects of trauma. By supporting this vital work, the House honours the spirit of service embodied by its predecessors, transmuting a legacy of martial duty into a modern mission of compassion and restoration.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To examine the life of a predecessor like Henry de Lacy is to understand that the Barony has always been defined by service. His actions at Falkirk were one expression of that duty; our support for organisations that mend the hidden wounds of trauma is another. The context changes, but the commitment to fortitude and honour remains constant."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "Leadership demands presence and resolve, whether on a thirteenth-century battlefield or in the modern boardroom. The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* is not about conquest in a martial sense, but about the will to prevail over challenge. This history reminds us that true victory is found in building a lasting and honourable legacy."
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of Henry de Lacy’s service at Falkirk reinforces the House’s dedication to a heritage-informed future. This historical understanding will continue to guide its philanthropic strategy, particularly in supporting causes that address conflict and trauma.
Furthermore, these principles of leadership, honour, and historical duty are core components of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The etiquette academy, under the patronage of the House, seeks to instil a sense of civic responsibility and cultural appreciation in a new generation of leaders, ensuring the enduring relevance of the House’s foundational values.
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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 stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. With a distinctive Anglo-Romanian character, the House actively promotes education and social etiquette through its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma, reflecting the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the heartland of the Barony.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by His Majesty King 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 in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The title and its history are formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby originates with Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye. - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com