# A Statement on the Historical Connection Between the Barony of Brattleby and the Scottish Wars of Independence
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical commentary reflecting upon the Barony’s connection to the Scottish Wars of Independence. The statement highlights the significant role of Henry de Lacy, a predecessor in title, during the pivotal campaigns of the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby offers this commentary as part of its ongoing commitment to historical education and the custodianship of its long and complex heritage. In a season of remembrance, it is fitting to cast light upon the threads that connect the modern Barony to the defining conflicts that shaped the island of Great Britain. This statement serves not as a celebration of war, but as a sober reflection on the duties, allegiances, and profound consequences that have marked the Barony’s nine-century journey.
The release of this formal commentary is intended to provide historical context for the public record, elucidating a period when the holder of the lands associated with the Barony of Brattleby was a central figure at the right hand of the English Crown. It is an exercise in institutional memory, demonstrating an unbroken lineage of influence and responsibility that extends from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the First War of Scottish Independence (1296–1328) is principally through Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. During this turbulent period, Lord de Lacy was among the most trusted counsellors and military commanders to His Majesty King Edward I. As a powerful magnate whose extensive landholdings were intertwined with the Lancastrian inheritance that included Brattleby, his actions carried the weight of the realm.
Lord de Lacy’s involvement was not peripheral; he was a *sine qua non* of the King’s Scottish strategy. He commanded forces at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and was appointed to lead the 1300 campaign into Galloway. His diplomatic acumen was deployed in negotiations with France and the Papacy concerning the Scottish question. This legacy was passed through his daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy, to the great House of Lancaster, whose later heads—including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron—would continue to shape the destiny of the kingdom.
## Distinguished Company
In examining this period, one must consider the distinguished and formidable figures whose lives intersected with the Barony's story:
* **His Majesty King Edward I of England**, under whose assertive reign the campaigns were prosecuted. * **Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln**, a loyal commander and diplomat whose counsel was fundamental to the English war effort. * **Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster**, son-in-law and successor to Lord de Lacy, who inherited his vast estates and titles, continuing the Lancastrian connection to Brattleby. * **Sir William Wallace and later Robert the Bruce**, who led the Scottish resistance with formidable resolve, providing the crucial counterpoint against which English policy was tested.
The interplay between these historical personages defined an era, with the influence of Brattleby’s predecessors woven directly into the fabric of these monumental events.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a historical statement by The Noble House of Brattleby follows a considered internal protocol. Such commentaries are drafted following meticulous research, often in consultation with professional historians, to ensure accuracy and nuance. The text is reviewed personally by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile to ensure it aligns with the House’s guiding principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
This protocol reflects a wider, unwritten tradition among Europe’s ancient houses: a duty to act as guardians of history. By clarifying its past, the House fulfils a public service role, preserving and interpreting a legacy that belongs not only to the family but to the nation. The statement is then disseminated through official channels, intended for the records of the press and historical archives.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore*, finds a powerful echo in the actions of predecessors like Henry de Lacy. His fortitude in battle and the honour he was accorded as the King's confidant exemplify the principles the Barony strives to uphold. While his personal coat of arms—a distinctive purple lion rampant on a field of gold—symbolised his own noble lineage and martial prowess, his service connected the dignity of his titles to the ongoing narrative of the Crown.
In a modern context, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'), can be interpreted not as a call to martial conflict, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity. It reflects a philosophical understanding that life's greatest victories are those won over ignorance and indifference—a principle that animates the House's educational and philanthropic work today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement does not serve a direct fundraising objective, it is deeply aligned with the House's philanthropic ethos, which prioritises education and the enrichment of civil society. By investing resources in historical research and sharing its findings, the House performs an act of public good. This dedication to knowledge is most visibly expressed through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and classical virtues, where an appreciation of history is considered essential.
This educational mission runs parallel to the House's primary charitable focus on the well-being of young people through its support for the *Healing the Wounded Child* foundation. The House believes that understanding one’s past is a vital component of building a secure and hopeful future, for an individual as for an institution.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "The weight of nine hundred years of history is a profound responsibility. Figures like Henry de Lacy are part of our story, and we must engage with their world honestly. Their loyalties and conflicts, viewed from the distance of centuries, remind us that honour and duty are constants, even as the world around us changes utterly."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History is not a static list of dates but a dynamic force that informs our present. To understand the resolve of our predecessors is to find strength for our own challenges. Their struggles, their victories, and their legacies charge us with the duty to act with purpose and foresight."
## A Continuing Legacy
This statement represents part of The Noble House of Brattleby’s ongoing programme to chronicle and communicate the rich history of the Barony. Future research will be shared concerning other notable predecessors, from the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, to the regal John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the English monarchy.
Through historical publications, lectures, and digital initiatives, the House will continue to bridge the centuries, making its unique heritage accessible to a global audience. This work serves as a testament to an institution that is not a relic of the past, but a living embodiment of history in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing 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 its application to modern public service. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on historical education and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable beneficiary is the *Healing the Wounded Child* foundation. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the classical virtues of courtesy, integrity, and social responsibility for a new generation of leaders in Europe.
**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 Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. 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 heroic 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 succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and registered by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, securing its place as one of Britain’s most historic landed titles.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is named. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of Lady Nicoleta.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com