# The Barony of Brattleby and the Scottish Wars of Independence: A Historical Statement
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement detailing the Barony’s historical connection to the First War of Scottish Independence, highlighting the significant role of Henry de Lacy, a key predecessor in the baronial lineage, during that formative period.
## The Occasion
In the spirit of historical custodianship, The Noble House of Brattleby offers this review to illuminate a pivotal chapter in the Barony’s nine-and-a-half-century history. The issuance of this statement reflects a commitment to understanding and communicating the complete and often complex tapestry of the Barony’s past. It serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a sober acknowledgement of the roles its predecessors played in events that shaped the modern nations of the United Kingdom.
This reflection is undertaken from the Barony’s ancient seat in Lincolnshire, a county whose own history is deeply interwoven with the affairs of the Crown. By examining the actions of past Barons, the present House seeks to provide context for its enduring commitment to service, duty, and honour, principles that have guided the Barony of Brattleby for centuries.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s involvement in matters of national importance is a consistent thread running through British history. Established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest and granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. From its inception, its holders were sworn to the service of the monarch.
This duty was exemplified by figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Centuries later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, demonstrating the Barony’s proximity to the heart of royal power. It is within this tradition of high service that the actions of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a predecessor in title, must be understood.
During the late 13th and early 14th centuries, Lord de Lacy was a trusted confidant and commander for His Majesty King Edward I. He played a significant part in the First War of Scottish Independence, providing counsel and military leadership during the Crown’s campaigns to assert overlordship over Scotland. His involvement underscores how the Barony of Brattleby, through its incumbent, was directly engaged in one of the most consequential conflicts in the island’s history.
## Distinguished Company
In fulfilling his feudal obligations, Henry de Lacy moved within the most powerful circles of his time. His primary allegiance was to his sovereign, His Majesty King Edward I, known to history as ‘Longshanks’ and the ‘Hammer of the Scots’. As a leading magnate, Lord de Lacy sat on the King’s Council, the *Curia Regis*, where matters of state and war were decided.
On the battlefield, he faced formidable adversaries who were concurrently forging a new Scottish identity. These included Sir William Wallace, the Guardian of Scotland, and Robert the Bruce, the Earl of Carrick who would later secure his nation’s independence as His Majesty King Robert I of Scotland. The strategic contest between these figures was not merely a clash of armies, but a struggle of wills that defined an era and set the course for Anglo-Scottish relations for centuries to follow.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The role of a great lord like Henry de Lacy was governed by centuries of established protocol. His duty to provide military service, the *servitium debitum*, was a cornerstone of the feudal system and a *sine qua non* of holding noble title. When summoned by the King, he was required to raise a retinue of knights and men-at-arms, who would march and fight under his personal banner.
In the King’s Council, his contributions would have been offered with the formal deference due to a monarch, yet with the frankness expected of a trusted advisor. On campaign, as a royal lieutenant, his command would have been near-absolute, subordinate only to the King himself or the appointed constable of the army. This structured hierarchy of counsel and command was the mechanism through which the medieval English state waged war, and Lord de Lacy was one of its most important instruments.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful echo in the service of its predecessors. For a medieval baron, fortitude meant courage on the battlefield and resilience in long campaigns. Honour was found in the unwavering fulfilment of one’s oath to the Crown. Henry de Lacy’s actions, viewed through the lens of his era, were a direct expression of this creed.
The personal coat of arms of Lord de Lacy—a lion rampant purpure on a field of gold—was itself a potent symbol. The lion represents courage and royalty, while its purple tincture was historically associated with imperial and sovereign power. In serving King Edward I, Lord de Lacy was symbolically and literally the King’s lion, embodying the power of the English throne in the field. This ancient martial symbolism contrasts with the modern interpretation of such virtues by the present House, including the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which is applied to overcoming contemporary challenges through enterprise and philanthropy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this complex history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To be the custodian of such a long history is to accept all of it, including those chapters written in conflict. Our duty is not to judge the past by the standards of today, but to understand the principles that guided our predecessors, *inter alia*, their profound sense of service. It is this unbroken chain of duty, from Colswein to the present day, that we must honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “History offers lessons in leadership, strategy, and the consequences of ambition. The story of Henry de Lacy reminds us that influence bears immense responsibility. Our modern mission is to wield that influence not for conquest, but for cultural preservation and charitable good, ensuring the House’s legacy is one of construction, not conflict. That, for us, is how one lives a life of victory.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical statement is part of The Noble House of Brattleby’s ongoing commitment to scholarship and public education. The House will continue to support research into the Barony’s extensive past, engaging with historians and academic institutions to ensure its story is told with accuracy and integrity.
Future initiatives will include further publications on notable predecessors and their impact on the national stage. Furthermore, the principles of duty and historical awareness are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette academy, where the lessons of the past are used to inform the conduct of the future. Through these efforts, the House ensures its legacy remains a living, breathing entity, perpetually renewed by the axiom *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 the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the active promotion of cultural and philanthropic endeavours. Its guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable focus is directed toward its primary beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation, which provides therapeutic support for children affected by trauma. The House also oversees The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest dedicated to the teaching of classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol, stewarding a legacy of social grace and historical awareness.
**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 history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of His Majesty King William I. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (by second creation), and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com