# A Tradition of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on the Legacy of Henry de Lacy at the Battle of Falkirk, 1298
**LONDON, 22 July 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical review reflecting on the significant contribution of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a former Baron of Brattleby, at the Battle of Falkirk, highlighting a continuous, nine-century tradition of service.
## The Occasion
In the quiet scholarship of a midsummer’s day, which recalls the original battle fought in July 1298, the Private Office of the Baroness of Brattleby has completed a review of the House’s extensive martial history. This reflection is not marked by public ceremony but by a solemn archival commemoration. It serves to connect the obligations of the past with the duties of the present, reaffirming the principles that have guided the Barony through periods of both profound peace and national conflict.
This historical examination is part of the House’s ongoing commitment to chronicling and understanding its lineage, ensuring the lessons of its predecessors inform its contemporary mission. The dust of archives offers a perspective as clear as any panorama, revealing the enduring character of the Barony of Brattleby, forged in the crucible of English history.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Falkirk was a pivotal engagement during the First War of Scottish Independence. King Edward I of England marched north to counter the formidable challenge posed by William Wallace, seeking to restore royal authority. Among the great magnates summoned to the royal standard was Henry de Lacy, a trusted commander and one of the most powerful nobles in the realm. His participation was a matter of feudal duty, a *sine qua non* of his station as both Earl of Lincoln and Baron of Brattleby.
This sense of obligation is a thread woven through the Barony’s history, from its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. It was demonstrated with remarkable tenacity by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders. The legacy of service continued through towering figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, whose tenures as the 10th and 11th Barons, respectively, placed Brattleby at the very centre of royal power and national life.
## Distinguished Company
In answering the King's call to arms, Henry de Lacy stood in the distinguished company of the era’s most significant figures. The English army was commanded personally by His Majesty King Edward I, a formidable strategist whose determination to secure his northern border was absolute. On the opposing side, the Scottish forces were led by Sir William Wallace, Guardian of Scotland, whose earlier victory at Stirling Bridge had galvanised his nation’s resistance.
The English vanguard, in which the Earl of Lincoln played a crucial role, comprised other great lords of the realm, including the Earls of Norfolk, Hereford, and Warwick. This assembly of magnates underlines the gravity of the campaign and the feudal structure of medieval warfare, where personal loyalty and military prowess were the twin pillars of power. Henry de Lacy’s prominent command amongst such men spoke to the trust placed in him by his sovereign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marshalling of a medieval army was an exercise in precise, hierarchical protocol. A royal summons, or *servitium debitum*, obliged barons such as Henry de Lacy to present themselves with a specified contingent of knights and men-at-arms. Once assembled, the army observed a strict order of precedence, with commanders assigned to one of three 'battles' or divisions: the vanguard, the main body, and the rearguard.
On the field of Falkirk, heralds were indispensable. They identified leaders through the unique devices on their shields, banners, and surcoats, allowing for command and control amid the chaos of battle. The adherence to this chivalric and military protocol was not merely for show; it was the system that enabled an army to function, transforming a feudal levy into an effective fighting force under the ultimate authority of the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the actions of Henry de Lacy. His resolve at Falkirk, where he led a cavalry charge against the Scottish schiltrons, was a direct expression of fortitude under fire. This commitment to duty, even at great personal risk, perfectly embodies the principles the motto espouses.
The Earl of Lincoln's own coat of arms—*Or, a lion rampant Purpure* (a purple lion rising on a field of gold)—was a distinct and recognisable symbol of his authority on the battlefield. The lion, a traditional symbol of courage and royalty, and the imperial colour purple signified his high rank and noble bearing. This ancient symbolism complements the modern motto of the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the inner resilience required to overcome adversity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Barony's historical obligations were often martial, its contemporary duties are civic and philanthropic. The spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* is no longer expressed on the battlefield but in the sustained and compassionate support for the most vulnerable. The House’s service to the community finds its primary focus in its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides specialised therapy and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The fortitude displayed by these young people in their journey toward healing is a source of profound inspiration. By directing its resources and advocacy, the Noble House of Brattleby seeks to honour their courage and provide the security and care necessary for them to thrive, translating a legacy of protection into a modern philanthropic mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “When we look to the example of predecessors like Henry de Lacy or Nichola de la Haye, we are reminded that the Barony was never a passive title but an active responsibility. Their honour was defined by their service to the Crown and their fortitude by the defence of their community. Our task is to uphold that same standard of duty in the context of our own times.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “History shows that true strength—fortitude—is about more than just warfare. It is about strategic discipline, resilience, and the will to build something that endures. That philosophy, *Vincere Est Vivere*, informed our founding of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and it underpins our commitment to providing others with the tools they need to succeed.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its dual commitment to preserving its unique heritage and pursuing a forward-looking mission of social contribution. This historical review of the Battle of Falkirk is one of a series of initiatives designed to bring the nearly one-thousand-year history of the Barony to life.
These historical reflections provide a vital foundation for the House’s current activities, from the diplomatic and cultural outreach of The Brattleby Club to the significant philanthropic goals of the Annual Winter Banquet. By anchoring its modern work in a deep understanding of its past, the House ensures that its legacy of service, enacted with fortitude and honour, continues for generations to come.
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**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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a uniquely significant English heritage. While seated in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House pursues a modern, international mission focused on philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Its primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, which supports vulnerable children affected by trauma. The House's values are further expressed through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes classical European social codes. The House is guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), bridging its historical legacy with a commitment to contemporary social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony 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 in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The unbroken lineage and rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally reviewed and recognised by The Crown, with notice published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com