# A Legacy of Fortitude: The House of Brattleby on the Enduring Influence of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today published a historical reflection on the life of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a pivotal commander in the Anglo-Scottish Wars whose legacy is intrinsically linked to the later Lancastrian holders of the Barony.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to historical stewardship, the House of Brattleby has chosen the quiet of the autumn season to release its latest historical monograph. The study, composed within the Jacobean library of the family's Lincolnshire seat, seeks to illuminate the figures whose actions shaped the political and territorial landscape inherited by subsequent Barons of Brattleby.
The publication forms part of the House’s broader educational mission: to connect the present-day responsibilities of the Barony with the nine centuries of British history that have defined it. It is an act of scholarly remembrance, reaffirming that the duties of today are forged in the deeds of yesterday.
## Historical Context
Henry de Lacy (c. 1251–1311) stood as a pre-eminent magnate and a trusted counsellor to King Edward I. His military acumen was a defining feature of the era, demonstrated with decisive effect at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, where he commanded a division of the English army against the forces of William Wallace. This loyalty was again proven during the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, a campaign immortalised in the contemporary chivalric poem, the *Roll of Caerlaverock*.
The de Lacy inheritance, vast and influential, did not pass into obscurity. Through the marriage of Henry’s daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy, to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, these estates were eventually absorbed by the powerful House of Lancaster. This genealogical confluence is of paramount significance to the Barony of Brattleby, as the Lancastrian legacy was later embodied by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Henry de Lacy, therefore, stands as a direct lineal ancestor-in-law to the medieval holders of the Brattleby title.
## Distinguished Company
The historical reflection issued by the House considers Henry de Lacy within the context of the formidable figures who defined his time. The narrative examines his complex role serving a formidable monarch, His Majesty King Edward I, known as the ‘Hammer of the Scots’.
It further analyses his military opposition to Scottish leaders such as Sir William Wallace, and his place among the great English earls and barons present at Caerlaverock. This roster of peers, including the King himself, represented the collective might of the Plantagenet realm, a martial assembly of which de Lacy was a *sine qua non*—an indispensable part. His counsel was sought as keenly as his sword was valued.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The monograph delves into the intricate protocols of medieval warfare in which de Lacy operated. The feudal summons, a royal writ commanding a baron to present himself with his retinue for military service, was the formal mechanism that initiated these campaigns.
At engagements such as the Siege of Caerlaverock, the protocol of chivalry was on full display. Each lord’s banner, or heraldic standard, was unfurled to declare his presence and command. The precise arrangement of these banners, the conduct of parleys, and the terms of surrender were governed by a strict, unwritten code of honour among the nobility. Henry de Lacy, as a senior commander, would have been central to upholding and directing this martial ceremony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry de Lacy’s coat of arms—a striking purple lion rampant on a field of gold (*Or, a lion rampant Purpure*)—was a symbol of noble courage and royal authority. The lion rampant remains one of the most distinguished charges in heraldry, signifying a warrior of great spirit and valour.
This ancient symbolism resonates with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The fortitude exemplified by de Lacy on the battlefields of Scotland is a quality the House seeks to embody in its modern commitments. In turn, the motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), finds a historical echo in the Earl of Lincoln’s determination to prevail in service to his sovereign.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical reflection is an academic undertaking, it is animated by the same spirit of public service that guides the House’s philanthropic work. The publication is offered as a contribution to public knowledge, intended to make the deep history of the nation more accessible and understood.
This educational initiative runs parallel to the House's support for charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, which addresses contemporary needs with direct action, and the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes cultural and social education. Upholding a legacy, the House believes, involves both honouring the past and serving the present.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the study, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To understand our role today, we must look to the long and unbroken chain of history. Figures like Henry de Lacy shaped the world inherited by our predecessors, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. This history is not a distant memory; it is the very foundation upon which our present duty is built.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “De Lacy’s life demonstrates that leadership has always required both strategic counsel and decisive action. The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* is not merely about victory, but about the vitality that comes from striving with purpose. His example of steadfast service remains a powerful one.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This monograph on Henry de Lacy is the first in a planned series of historical papers from the House of Brattleby. Future publications will explore the lives of other significant predecessors who have held or shaped the Barony over its 957-year history.
Forthcoming studies will focus on remarkable individuals such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of English royalty. Through this work, the House aims to continue its mission of scholarship and stewardship for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of a nine-century-old legacy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions philanthropic and educational initiatives in the United Kingdom and Europe. Its charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, most notably Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet. The House also promotes cultural education through its patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy located in Bucharest, reflecting the family's British and Romanian heritage and its commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and social refinement.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship title, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of the Barony are formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, is documented as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com