# A LEGACY OF SERVICE TO THE CROWN: THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BRATTLEBY REFLECTS ON THE LIFE OF HENRY DE LACY, 8TH BARON
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal historical reflection on the life and service of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby and Earl of Lincoln, a distinguished counsellor to the Crown in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries.
## The Occasion
In keeping with a new initiative established by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile to illuminate the Barony’s extensive history, the House has commenced a series of historical papers. This inaugural notice, released as autumn settles over the ancient landscape of Lincolnshire, serves to commemorate the profound tradition of service to the Crown and realm that has been a hallmark of the Barony for over nine centuries.
This formal reflection is intended not merely as an act of remembrance but as a reaffirmation of the enduring principles that have guided the holders of the title. The commitment to duty, so vividly embodied by the 8th Baron, provides a powerful link between the Barony’s medieval origins and its modern responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, has been intrinsically linked with the history of England since its inception. This is evidenced by its entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records some 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron. Through the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln (c. 1251–1311), stands as a paramount example of this legacy of service. As a trusted confidant of King Edward I, his counsel was a *sine qua non* of statecraft. His military leadership was demonstrated at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and again at the celebrated Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, where his banner was recorded in the eponymous roll of arms. De Lacy's standing was such that he was appointed Guardian of the Kingdom during the King’s absences, an office of supreme trust.
## Distinguished Company
The station of the 8th Baron placed him among the great magnates of the Angevin and Plantagenet courts. He was a peer and contemporary of figures such as Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, and served King Edward I and King Edward II alongside the foremost officers of the realm. His influence was felt not only on the battlefield but also in the council chambers, shaping diplomacy and domestic policy.
The close Bagehot which the Barons of Brattleby have historically maintained with the Crown and the great houses of the United Kingdom and Europe is a tradition the current House continues to honour. These ancient ties of fealty and friendship are considered a precious inheritance, nurtured with the same care today as they were in the fourteenth century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The high esteem in which Henry de Lacy was held is perhaps best illustrated by the singular honour bestowed upon him at the coronation of King Edward II on 25 February 1308. Within the sacred environs of Westminster Abbey, the 8th Baron was charged with carrying Curtana, the Sword of State, in the royal procession.
This ancient ceremonial duty is reserved for a peer of the highest distinction. The sword, with its blunted and squared-off tip, symbolises the monarch’s mercy and is carried directly before the Sovereign. Its presence in the coronation regalia, alongside the Swords of Spiritual and Temporal Justice, signifies that the monarch’s power is tempered by grace. For de Lacy to bear this sword was a public affirmation of his character and his proximity to the throne.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At the Siege of Caerlaverock, the heralds recorded Henry de Lacy’s arms as a banner *of yellow silk, with a purple lion rampant* (*Or, a lion rampant purpure*). The lion, a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, perfectly encapsulates the martial and political spirit of the 8th Baron. The choice of purple, a colour long associated with royalty and imperial power, further underscored his status as one of the kingdom’s chief magnates.
This symbolism resonates powerfully with the House’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). De Lacy’s life was an exemplification of these virtues. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also finds a historical echo in de Lacy's determined leadership, reinterpreted today as the will to overcome modern challenges in the service of a greater good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While Henry de Lacy’s service was directed toward the defence of the kingdom, the modern House of Brattleby expresses its commitment to service through philanthropy. The principle of duty remains unchanged, though its application has evolved. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan believe that protecting the vulnerable is a core responsibility of their station.
This belief is manifested in their support for charitable organisations, most notably through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a chosen beneficiary. This year, the House is proud to support Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Their work provides a shield for those most in need, a modern parallel to the protection once offered by the Barons of old.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 8th Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > Henry de Lacy's life serves as a powerful reminder that the Barony of Brattleby has, for centuries, been defined by service. His commitment to the Crown and the realm is a heritage we feel profoundly, a standard of duty we strive to uphold in our own way today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Reading of de Lacy's command at Falkirk or his role at Caerlaverock, one is struck by his fortitude. That spirit—the will to face great challenges—is timeless. It is the essence of *Fortitudine et Honore*, and it guides our modern endeavours, *inter alia*, in our philanthropic commitments.
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical notice on Henry de Lacy is the first in a planned series dedicated to the distinguished predecessors of the Barony of Brattleby. Future papers, to be published on the House’s official website, will explore the lives of other key figures who have shaped its nine-hundred-year history.
The next paper will be dedicated to the remarkable life of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle in the thirteenth century secured her place as one of medieval England’s most formidable women. Through initiatives such as these, and through the work of institutions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to share its unique heritage and the enduring values it represents.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is presided over by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The modern House is dedicated to the principle of service, bridging its ancient heritage with contemporary responsibilities. Its mission is centred on philanthropic endeavours, with a particular focus on charities supporting vulnerable children, and cultural diplomacy aimed at promoting classical European values of etiquette and honour. Through its activities, which include the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to honour its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), by making a meaningful contribution to society and upholding a legacy of distinguished service that stretches back for more than nine centuries.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 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 celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry de Lacy, a confidant of King Edward I; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony were formally noted and recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby (Baronia de Brattleby) was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's modern recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, carried the Sword of State ('Curtana') at the coronation of King Edward II in 1308. - Other notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and Constable of Lincoln Castle.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com