# The Office of the Baron of Brattleby on the Historical Significance of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Office of the Baron of Brattleby today issues a historical notice clarifying the profound connection between the Barony and Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, a pivotal figure in the reign of King Edward I and the Scottish Wars of Independence.
## The Occasion
In undertaking the stewardship of a title nearly one millennium old, The Noble House of Brattleby has embraced a duty not only to the present but also to the past. As part of its ongoing commitment to historical education and public record, the House periodically issues notices to illuminate the lives and influence of significant figures associated with its lineage.
This communiqué serves to detail the association of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln (c. 1251–1311), with the Barony of Brattleby. His service to the Crown and his familial ties placed the Barony at the very centre of England’s political and military life during the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
## Historical Context
Henry de Lacy stood as one of the most powerful and trusted magnates during the reign of King Edward I. Through his marriage to Margaret Longespée, Countess of Salisbury, his influence was immense, but it was his military acumen and unwavering loyalty to the Crown that defined his legacy and, by extension, the martial heritage of the Brattleby line.
A leading English commander, his presence was a *sine qua non* at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, a decisive engagement during the First War of Scottish Independence. Serving alongside the King, the Earl's command over knights and men-at-arms, drawn from estates across his vast holdings, demonstrated the feudal obligations that bound the Barony of Brattleby to the fate of the nation.
Though de Lacy was not a Baron of Brattleby in his own right, his lands and influence became entwined with its destiny. Upon his death, his considerable estates, including interests in Lincolnshire, passed to his daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy. Her marriage to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, brought these holdings into the powerful House of Lancaster, paving the way for later Barons of Brattleby, including the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The era was defined by formidable personages, whose actions shaped the history of Great Britain. The principal figures in this chapter of the Barony’s history include:
- **His Majesty King Edward I**, under whom the Earl of Lincoln served as a confidant and chief counsellor. - **Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln**, a veteran of campaigns in Wales and Scotland and a key diplomat for the English Crown. - **Margaret Longespée, Countess of Salisbury**, his wife and a significant heiress who brought with her the legacy of William Longespée, an illegitimate son of King Henry II. - **Sir William Wallace**, the Scottish knight and leader of the resistance, whose forces the Earl of Lincoln engaged at Falkirk.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The feudal system of the 13th century was governed by a strict protocol of reciprocal obligation between the monarch and his tenants-in-chief. When summoned by the King for a military campaign, a baron such as the Earl of Lincoln was required to muster a contractually agreed-upon number of knights and soldiers from his demesne.
This levy, known as the *servitium debitum*, or 'service owed', was the mechanism by which the armies of England were raised. Men affiliated with the Brattleby estates would have answered this call, participating in a highly ritualised process of assembly, equipping, and transit to the theatre of war, all governed by ancient customs and the emergent codes of chivalry.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The martial and noble character of the age is vividly captured in its heraldry. The coat of arms of Henry de Lacy was *Or, a lion rampant Purpure* — a purple lion rearing on a field of gold. In the language of arms, the gold signifies generosity and elevation of the mind, while the lion represents supreme courage and strength. The rare and regal colour purple denoted royal favour and justice.
This symbolism finds an echo in the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the heraldic devices have evolved, this core tenet of courage tempered by honour provides a direct line of continuity from the battlefield of Falkirk to the House's modern commitments. It is a philosophy complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to overcoming modern challenges with resolve.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this notice is historical in nature, the legacy of service it describes directly informs the present-day philanthropic purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby. The tradition of noblesse oblige—the inferred responsibility of privileged people to act with generosity and nobility toward those less privileged—is a guiding principle.
This principle is embodied in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the cornerstone of the House’s charitable activities. The sole beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. The choice reflects a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable, a modern interpretation of the historic duty of a baron to safeguard his community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "To delve into the history of the Barony is to recognise the immense weight of duty our predecessors bore. Figures like Henry de Lacy remind us that influence and title are inextricably linked to service, a principle that remains at the very heart of Brattleby's mission today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The martial heritage of the Barony, exemplified by the Earl of Lincoln's service at Falkirk, offers a powerful lesson in resolve. We no longer face challenges on a battlefield, but the spirit of courage and strategic purpose required to prevail remains the same, whether in enterprise or philanthropy."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to the continued study and preservation of its nine-century history. This research not only honours the memory of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt, but also provides a foundation for the House's contemporary responsibilities.
The lessons drawn from the Barony's past directly inform its modern educational initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and diplomatic protocol. By understanding the continuum of history, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to carry forward its legacy of leadership and service with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old legacy. Its modern mission combines the preservation of historical heritage with contemporary philanthropic and educational engagement. The House’s central charitable focus is supporting at-risk children through its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, funded by the annual Winter Banquet. Through its educational arm, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House promotes the values of diplomatic etiquette and cultural exchange. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir, represents the future of this commitment. The House operates under its ancient motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship seated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county, establishing Brattleby as a significant feudal holding. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. Formal recognition of the Barony and its current holder was published by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors associated with the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - Formal recognition of the title was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com