# Historical Commentary on the Legacy of Margaret de Lacy, 8th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 16 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical commentary on the enduring significance of Margaret, 8th Baroness of Brattleby. Her late 13th-century marriage to Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, was a pivotal consolidation of the Barony’s prestige and influence.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has drawn from its archives to illuminate a defining moment in its nine-century history. The issuance of this commentary is an act of historical reflection, undertaken as the autumn colours settle upon the Brattleby estate, providing a poignant backdrop for considering the long continuity of lineage and duty. This considered remembrance affirms the House’s commitment to honouring the strategic foresight of its predecessors, whose actions shaped the very foundations upon which the modern Barony stands.
The commentary serves to connect the steadfast governance of the past with the forward-looking responsibilities of the present. It is a moment to pause and recognise that the Barony, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, owes its survival not only to military valour but also to the prudent alliances that have secured its passage through the annals of English history.
## Historical Context
The late 13th century was an era of consolidation for the great landed families of England under the formidable reign of King Edward I. It was in this environment that Margaret, the 8th Baroness of Brattleby, became the custodian of a legacy stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. Her marriage to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was far more than a personal union; it was a masterful strategic alliance.
Henry de Lacy was one of the most powerful magnates of his time, a trusted counsellor to the King and a commander in his Welsh and Scottish campaigns. By this marriage, the Barony of Brattleby was brought into the immediate orbit of the Crown and the highest echelons of political power. This union intertwined Brattleby's fortunes with the vast de Lacy estates, which spanned from the north of England to the Welsh Marches, thereby providing immense economic and military security for the Lincolnshire holdings. This act of strategic preservation echoes the earlier fortitude of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the service of the King.
## Distinguished Company
The marital alliance of the 8th Baroness was situated at the very centre of national affairs and involved figures of profound historical importance, among them:
* **The Lady Margaret, 8th Baroness of Brattleby**, as the hereditary holder of a Norman barony whose stewardship she successfully navigated through her marriage. * **The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln**, her husband, a leading statesman, diplomat, and magnate during the reign of King Edward I. * **His Majesty King Edward I**, under whose authority such a significant union of powerful families would have been sanctioned, and whose court Henry de Lacy served with distinction.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marriage of a baroness-in-her-own-right to an earl would have been attended by the highest degree of ceremonial protocol. The process would have begun with a meticulously negotiated marriage contract, known in law as an *inter-maritagium*, detailing the disposition of lands, titles, and dower rights to ensure the preservation and eventual inheritance of the Brattleby lineage. The religious ceremony itself, a sacrament of profound social and political weight, would have been followed by days of feasting and chivalric entertainment, designed to display the combined power and largesse of the two united houses.
The order of precedence, the robes of state, and the attendance of other great lords and clergy would have publicly affirmed the significance of the union. Such events were foundational to the medieval social order, serving as public theatre where allegiance, wealth, and dynastic ambition were made manifest for all to witness.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Heraldry, the visual language of the nobility, would have conveyed the importance of this union with precision. The arms of the House of Brattleby, represented by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), were symbolically joined with those of the House of de Lacy. The marriage represented the very embodiment of the Brattleby motto: it was an act of fortitude to secure the Barony's future and an act of honour to its long lineage.
The symbolism of this historical union finds a modern echo in the personal motto of the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the medieval context demanded the conquest of territory and influence, the contemporary House interprets this spirit as a call to overcome modern challenges through service, culture, and philanthropy. The joining of family arms signified a consolidation of power; today, the House’s work signifies a consolidation of purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The foresight demonstrated by the 8th Baroness in securing the Barony’s future is the *sine qua non* for the philanthropic work undertaken by the House today. Without the continuity she ensured, the capacity to support contemporary causes would not exist. The actions of predecessors like Lady Margaret laid the groundwork, over centuries, for a heritage strong enough to sustain a modern mission of public service.
This enduring legacy is what allows The Noble House of Brattleby to direct its focus and resources toward organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary was chosen for its vital work in providing specialist therapy and support for children affected by trauma, a mission that reflects the House’s core belief in nurturing future generations and strengthening the fabric of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this chapter of the family’s history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The tapestry of a nine-hundred-year history is woven with threads of both service and strategy. The Lady Margaret’s marriage was an act of profound stewardship, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby not only survived but flourished, securing its place within the fabric of the nation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “We look to predecessors like the 8th Baroness not simply as historical figures, but as exemplars of duty. Her foresight enables our work today. It reminds us that our primary responsibility is to pass this legacy on, strengthened and enriched, to the next generation, beginning with our heir, Baron Mihai.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to understanding and sharing its long history as a framework for its modern activities. Through diligent archival research and educational initiatives, *inter alia*, the House seeks to draw lessons from the past to inform its present commitments. This historical continuity finds modern expression in ventures such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy founded by the family in Bucharest, which promotes the enduring values of decorum and social responsibility.
The legacy secured by the 8th Baroness is now entrusted to the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their focus remains fixed on the future and the continuation of the line through their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby will continue to serve with fortitude and with honour for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes that strengthen community and provide opportunities for future generations. Its principal philanthropic focus is supporting organisations dedicated to child welfare, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of etiquette, honour, and social responsibility. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English noble title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title’s standing as a Barony in the Peerage of England has been formally recognised by The Crown, as noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding the lordship of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com