# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on a Legacy of Service to the Crown during the Wars of Scottish Independence
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the Barony’s historic role in the service of the Crown, highlighting the contributions of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a key commander for King Edward I during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
## The Occasion
From their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have taken a moment this autumn to contemplate the deep resonance of history that defines their ancient title. Amid the crisp air and turning leaves of the Lincolnshire countryside, a landscape that has witnessed nearly a millennium of English history, the House marks its connection to the great affairs of state that have shaped the United Kingdom.
This period of reflection is not tied to a singular event but is rather part of the House’s ongoing commitment to honouring the continuity of service that links the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, to the present day. It serves as a poignant reminder that the duties of the nobility—whether on the medieval battlefield or in the modern philanthropic sphere—have always demanded fortitude and honour.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, through its passage amongst England's most powerful families, was connected to The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln (c. 1251–1311). A trusted confidant of His Majesty King Edward I, the Earl’s influence extended over vast estates, including tenurial interests associated with the Brattleby lineage. His steadfast loyalty saw him appointed as a principal commander in the King's campaigns to assert English sovereignty over Scotland.
Lord de Lacy’s leadership was pivotal at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, a decisive engagement that shattered the army of William Wallace. Two years later, in 1300, he was present at the celebrated Siege of Caerlaverock, an event immortalised in the contemporary chivalric poem, *The Song of Caerlaverock*. This record places the heritage of the Barony directly within the crucible of conflict that forged the complex, centuries-long relationship between England and Scotland. His service prefigures that of later holders of the Barony, including the great Lancastrians Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln prosecuted these campaigns in the company of the era’s most formidable figures. His sovereign, His Majesty King Edward I, was a formidable warrior-king whose ambition defined the age. The Earl’s adversary was Sir William Wallace, and later, Robert the Bruce, whose resilience would ultimately secure Scottish independence.
These campaigns involved the great magnates of the realm, whose allegiances and martial prowess were the *sine qua non* of medieval royal power. By serving alongside them, Henry de Lacy upheld the feudal obligation of military service that was the bedrock of his station, a duty that has transformed over centuries into the modern principle of public service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of medieval warfare was a complex ritual of feudal obligation and chivalric display. When summoned to war by the King, a great lord such as the Earl of Lincoln would muster his retinue of knights and men-at-arms, assembling under his personal banner. At the Siege of Caerlaverock, the meticulous descriptions of each lord’s heraldry underscore the importance of visual identity and honour on the field of battle.
The Earl’s role was not merely martial; as a senior counsellor, he would have participated in the King’s war councils, offering strategic advice. This combination of battlefield leadership and proximity to the Crown exemplifies the dual role of the high nobility: to fight for the sovereign and to guide the realm. The formal structures of command and counsel in the 13th century have their distant echoes in the constitutional and ceremonial duties of today.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry de Lacy’s coat of arms—a lion rampant purpure on a field of or (a purple lion on a gold background)—was a renowned symbol of his power and courage on the battlefield. The lion, a classic emblem of nobility and strength, represented his formidable presence in the King’s service.
The Noble House of Brattleby, in its modern iteration, lives by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle finds a direct antecedent in the actions of figures like the Earl of Lincoln, for whom fortitude in battle and honour in service were the highest virtues. The bearing of arms in service to the Crown is a legacy the House cherishes, viewing its motto not as a historical artefact but as a living directive for its contemporary mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the context of service has evolved from the battlefield to the ballroom, the underlying duty to protect the vulnerable remains. The historical legacy of sacrifice in conflict has profoundly informed the modern philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby. This is most visibly expressed through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children suffering from the psychological trauma of war, conflict, and abuse. The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, serves as the primary fundraising event for this cause. By dedicating their efforts to mending the unseen wounds of modern conflicts, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan translate the historical duty of martial protection into a contemporary commitment to healing and compassion.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “When we contemplate figures like Henry de Lacy, we are reminded that the Barony has never been a mere title to land; it has been an obligation of service to the nation. His duty was on the battlefield, conducted with *Fortitudine et Honore*. Our duty today lies in different fields, but the principle of honourable service remains unchanged.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “The strategic imperative in the 13th century was military victory. Today, our imperative is to achieve strategic victories against suffering and adversity. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'—is about overcoming the challenges that diminish human potential. Whether through philanthropy or education, that is the conquest we seek.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to build upon its nine-century foundation of service. Preparations are currently underway for the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which will once again raise vital funds and awareness for Healing the Wounded Child.
Furthermore, the House's educational initiative, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, carries forward the tradition of leadership by equipping a new generation with the principles of etiquette, diplomacy, and social responsibility. Through these twin pillars of philanthropy and education, the House ensures its ancient heritage actively serves the public good in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principle of *noblesse oblige*. Fusing nearly a thousand years of English heritage with a dynamic Continental perspective, the House’s contemporary mission centres on strategic philanthropy and cultural education. Its chief initiatives include supporting children affected by trauma and fostering social excellence through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to ensuring its ancient legacy serves as a force for positive impact in the modern world, championing causes that provide healing, opportunity, and dignity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the title has passed through some of England’s most distinguished noble and royal lines, held by formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, a loyal defender of Lincoln Castle for King John, and later by members of the House of Lancaster, including Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile's title as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, was installed following the Norman Conquest of 1066. - The beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is the charitable organisation Healing the Wounded Child. - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com