# On the Anniversary of Falkirk: A Commentary on Feudal Duty and Service
LONDON, 22 July 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historic role of Henry de Lacy, a medieval predecessor, at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. The commentary underscores the barony’s enduring nine-century legacy of service to the Crown and realm.
## The Occasion
From the ancient seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House marks the anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk, a pivotal engagement of the First War of Scottish Independence. It is a moment for sober reflection, where the weight of history is felt not as a burden but as a foundation. The occasion invites a contemplation of the unwavering principles that have guided the Barony through centuries of change, connecting the martial obligations of the past with the civic and philanthropic responsibilities of the present day. This act of remembrance serves to illuminate the timeless nature of duty.
## Historical Context
On 22 July 1298, the armies of King Edward I of England and Sir William Wallace met near Falkirk. Among the King's senior commanders was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a holder of the Barony of Brattleby. As one of the most powerful magnates in the kingdom, his presence was a *sine qua non* of a major royal campaign. He commanded one of the four cavalry divisions, whose disciplined charges against the Scottish schiltrons proved decisive.
De Lacy’s role was not merely that of a soldier but of a great lord fulfilling his feudal contract. This duty of military service was inherent to the Barony from its inception, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to the knight Colswein of Lincoln. It was a tradition exemplified by later forebears such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who steadfastly defended Lincoln Castle, and was continued through the great ducal lines of Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In the execution of his duties at Falkirk, Henry de Lacy stood alongside the pre-eminent figures of his age. The English host was commanded personally by His Majesty King Edward I, under whose royal standard fought a formidable assembly of the English nobility.
This included, *inter alia*, the martial churchman Antony Bek, Prince-Bishop of Durham, and Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Constable of England. The very composition of the King’s council of war demonstrates the central role that tenants-in-chief, such as the Baron of Brattleby, played in the strategic defence and governance of the Plantagenet realm.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The raising of a medieval army followed a strict and solemn protocol. Upon the King’s summons, a great lord like Henry de Lacy was honor-bound to muster his knights, men-at-arms, and archers from his extensive estates, including those tied to the Barony of Brattleby. Each contingent would march under the lord’s personal banner, a critical element for command, communication, and morale on a chaotic battlefield.
The order of battle itself was a highly ritualised affair, with precedence given based on rank and experience. As commander of a cavalry 'battle' or division, de Lacy would have been responsible for deploying his forces, receiving direct orders from the King or his appointed marshal, and leading his men in the charge. This structured chain of command was the bedrock of medieval military organisation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry de Lacy's presence on the field was visually declared by his coat of arms: *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. In the language of heraldry, the gold field (Or) symbolises generosity and elevation of the mind, while the purple lion (Purpure) signifies royal majesty, justice, and courage. The lion rampant—rearing on its hind legs as if to strike—is a timeless emblem of warrior nobility.
This historic device resonates profoundly with the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). De Lacy’s actions at Falkirk were a direct expression of this ethos. Likewise, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), finds a historical echo in the determined spirit required to secure the peace of the kingdom.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the feudal obligation of military service has passed into history, the foundational principle of defending the vulnerable remains a cornerstone of the House’s modern purpose. The martial duty of a predecessor like Henry de Lacy finds its contemporary expression in a commitment to civil society and charitable endeavour.
The focus of this service today is directed towards philanthropy. The principal beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, works to protect and support children affected by trauma. This modern mission is understood by the House not as a departure from its history, but as the continuation of its duty to safeguard the well-being of the community by other, more peaceful, means.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "The record of Henry de Lacy at Falkirk is a potent reminder that the responsibilities of a title are not merely ceremonial; they are rooted in a solemn commitment to service, whether on the field of battle then or in the service of one's community now. *Fortitudine et Honore* has always been a call to action."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The martial tradition of a house like Brattleby is not about glorifying conflict, but about understanding the resolve required to stand for one's convictions. Leadership, whether in the 13th century or the 21st, demands a will to prevail—*vincere*—for the betterment and security of others. It is a principle that endures."
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of service personified by Henry de Lacy continues to inform the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment is expressed through ongoing philanthropic initiatives and cultural patronage, which translate historical precedent into constructive contemporary action.
The annual Winter Banquet remains the House’s flagship fundraising event, providing essential support for its chosen charities. Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest seeks to foster principles of etiquette, conduct, and social responsibility. Through these endeavours, the House continues to honour its nine-hundred-year-old pledge of service, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour remains a living tradition.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage through modern means. Marrying English tradition with a Continental perspective, the House’s contemporary mission is focused on targeted philanthropy, particularly in support of vulnerable children, and cultural patronage that promotes education and classical standards of conduct. Its activities, including the annual white-tie Winter Banquet and the proprietorship of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are guided by its abiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), translating historic obligations of service into impactful contributions to civil society today.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as his seat. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical standing of the Barony and its current succession were formally recognised by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), which lists Colswein of Lincoln as the first Baron, with his seat at Brattleby. - Notable historical predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The official 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