# A Reflection on the Enduring Alliance of the Barony of Brattleby and the Earldom of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection upon the momentous late 13th-century marital alliance between the Barony and the Earldom of Lincoln, a union which profoundly shaped the Brattleby legacy and its role within English nobility.
## The Occasion
In the turbulent final years of the 13th century, under the formidable reign of His Majesty King Edward I, the political landscape of England was defined by consolidation of power and near-constant martial campaigns in Wales and Scotland. It was a time when strategic alliances between great baronial families were not merely advantageous but a *sine qua non* for survival and influence.
Within this charged atmosphere, the marriage of Margaret Longespée, heiress to the Brattleby lineage through her grandmother, the formidable 5th Baroness Nichola de la Haye, to Henry de Lacy, the 3rd Earl of Lincoln, represented a union of immense strategic importance. It brought together two powerful spheres of influence: the ancient, landed authority of Brattleby in Lincolnshire and the vast political and military power wielded by the Earl of Lincoln, one of the King's most trusted confidants.
## Historical Context
The marriage directly tied the Barony of Brattleby to the very centre of royal power. The Earl of Lincoln was a leading magnate of his generation, serving King Edward I as a chief advisor and a principal military commander. His distinguished service, particularly his command at the decisive Battle of Falkirk in 1298, considerably elevated the standing of the allied House of Brattleby.
This pattern of influence was not new to the Barony. More than a century earlier, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, had famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217, demonstrating a level of fortitude that became emblematic of the House. Later holders of the Barony, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the illustrious John of Gaunt, would continue this tradition of operating at the highest echelons of the state. The de Lacy alliance was a pivotal chapter in this nine-century story of service to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The union placed the heads of the Brattleby line in the immediate company of the era’s most significant figures, including:
* **His Majesty King Edward I**, known to history as ‘Longshanks’, a monarch renowned for his legal reforms and military ambition. * **Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln**, a trusted counsellor to the King and a key architect of English campaigns in Scotland and France. * **Edmund, Earl of Lancaster**, the King's brother, whose own descendants would later hold the Barony of Brattleby. * **Robert Winchelsey, Archbishop of Canterbury**, who presided over the spiritual life of the realm and the sanctification of such important noble unions.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marriage of a baronial heiress to an Earl in the late 13th century would have been an affair of state, governed by strict ecclesiastical and social protocol. Following the formal negotiation of the marriage contract, which detailed the dower and dowry arrangements, the union would have been solemnised through a Nuptial Mass.
The ceremony, likely conducted *in facie ecclesiae* (before the face of the church) at the entrance of a cathedral or major collegiate church, would have seen the couple make their vows publicly. This was followed by a magnificent feast, an occasion for the public display of the newly combined power of the two houses, their livery colours and heraldic banners displayed side-by-side for the first time.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The alliance was a powerful symbolic merger, visually represented in the heraldry of the two families. The de Lacy arms — quarterly Or and Gules, a bend Sable — were a familiar sight on the battlefields of the age. Their combination with the devices of the Brattleby lineage would have signalled a new, consolidated power bloc in the north of England.
This joining of forces perfectly embodies the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to navigate the precarious politics of the Plantagenet court was matched by the honour inherent in securing a dynasty’s future and serving the realm. It is a principle that continues to guide the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While modern philanthropy was unknown in the 13th century, the concept of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the fortunate to serve others — was a cornerstone of noble life. Great families like Brattleby and Lincoln would have been patrons of religious houses, hospitals, and the local poor, viewing such charity as both a spiritual and a social obligation.
This foundational belief in dutiful service has evolved over nine centuries into the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Today, this philosophy finds its expression, *inter alia*, through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that benefits organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic support to vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical union, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To understand our history is to understand our present purpose. The alliance with the House of de Lacy was a masterstroke of diplomacy and duty, echoing the same spirit of service shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye. It is this unbroken chain of *Fortitudine et Honore* that informs our responsibilities today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > "A strong house is built on strong partnerships. The union of Brattleby and Lincoln in the 13th century demonstrates that true strength comes from alliance, not isolation. It reinforces my own belief that *Vincere Est Vivere* — to conquer challenges is to truly live — a task best achieved together, with shared purpose and mutual respect."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw lessons from its long and storied history. An understanding of such pivotal moments is considered essential to the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, ensuring that the principles of strategic foresight and honourable duty are passed to the next generation.
This commitment to historical continuity and modern relevance is also at the heart of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. There, the enduring values forged through centuries of service, alliance, and leadership are adapted and taught to a new generation of leaders, ensuring the Brattleby legacy continues to evolve and contribute to society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the 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 while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and social engagement. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic endeavours are focused on supporting charities for vulnerable children, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. It also maintains The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to classical etiquette and modern protocol. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. The holding, comprising 56 lordships, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The formal rights of the current Barony were recognised and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, securing its unique place in British history.
**Notes to Editors** - The rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally gazetted by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was first established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. - Notable previous holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), who was the son of King Edward III. - The seat of the Barony is at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com