# Commemoration of Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Battle of Falkirk, 1298
LONDON, 22 July 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the significant military command of its predecessor, Henry de Lacy, 9th Baron of Brattleby, at the Battle of Falkirk, underscoring a tradition of Crown service deeply woven into the fabric of the Barony.
## The Occasion
On the 726th anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk, The Noble House of Brattleby has made a formal observance of the day’s historical significance to its lineage. This solemn commemoration, conducted through the House’s archival and historical review, serves not to glorify conflict but to acknowledge a profound legacy of duty, leadership, and unwavering service to the Sovereign and the realm that has defined the Barony for over nine centuries.
This act of remembrance connects the medieval obligations of the nobility with the modern responsibilities of the House. It is a moment to consider the immense burdens carried by predecessors and to draw parallels between the fortitude required on the battlefield and the honour demanded in contemporary civic and philanthropic life.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Falkirk, fought on 22 July 1298, was a pivotal engagement during the First War of Scottish Independence. Following the English defeat at the Battle of Stirling Bridge the previous year, King Edward I personally led a formidable army north to confront the forces of Sir William Wallace. Central to this royal host were the great magnates of the realm, whose feudal duty — the *servitium debitum* — compelled them to raise arms in the King’s service.
Among the foremost of these commanders was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 9th Baron of Brattleby. A trusted counsellor to the King, Lord de Lacy was given command of one of the four main divisions, or ‘battles’, of the English army. His leadership was instrumental in the execution of the King's strategy, which combined the devastating power of the English longbow with disciplined heavy cavalry charges to secure a decisive victory, thereby reasserting royal authority.
## Distinguished Company
As a leading peer of the realm, the Baron of Brattleby fought alongside the most powerful figures of the age. The English army at Falkirk was a roll call of the high nobility, marshalled under the direct command of His Majesty King Edward I.
Commanders of the other divisions included the formidable Antony Bek, the warrior Prince-Bishop of Durham, and Lord John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, the King's lieutenant in Scotland. The presence of such personages illustrates the high esteem in which Henry de Lacy was held and the central role occupied by the Barony of Brattleby in the political and military affairs of the kingdom. These were the men who shaped the destiny of the nation, and the Baron of Brattleby stood among them as a key pillar of the Crown's power.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The raising of a medieval army followed strict feudal protocol. A royal summons commanded tenants-in-chief, such as the Baron of Brattleby, to present themselves with their retinues of knights and men-at-arms for a campaign. On the battlefield, order was maintained through a precise hierarchical structure and the clear visual language of heraldry.
Each of the four divisions was identified by the banners of its commanders, with Lord de Lacy’s standard prominently displayed. Heralds played a *sine qua non* role, identifying lords by their coats of arms and conveying the King’s orders across the field. This disciplined organisation, a hallmark of King Edward I’s military reforms, was essential to the English success at Falkirk and demonstrates a system where martial prowess was inseparable from protocol and lineage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry de Lacy’s personal coat of arms, *Or, a lion rampant purpure* (a purple lion rampant on a field of gold), would have been emblazoned upon his banner and shield, a recognisable symbol of his authority and martial prowess. The lion, a traditional emblem of courage and nobility, perfectly captured the character required of a great commander.
While these personal arms are distinct from the modern House’s identity, the spirit of Lord de Lacy's actions resonates profoundly with the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His conduct at Falkirk serves as a historical precedent for this guiding principle. Furthermore, it reflects the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, which is interpreted today not as martial victory, but as the overcoming of adversity through resolve and purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The commemoration of a medieval battle provides a moment to reflect on the evolution of service. While the Barons of Brattleby once served the Crown with sword and shield, the modern House of Brattleby dedicates itself to healing the unseen wounds of adversity. The House’s focus has purposefully shifted from the means of conflict to the mending of its consequences.
This is exemplified by the selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of the House’s Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation’s vital work in providing therapy and support for children affected by trauma and distress aligns with the House’s contemporary interpretation of duty. Honouring the fortitude of ancestors now involves championing the resilience of the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > Henry de Lacy’s command at Falkirk reminds us that the Barony has, for centuries, been defined by a deep and unwavering sense of duty. While the nature of that service evolves with the times, the core commitment to uphold one’s responsibilities with fortitude and honour remains unchanged. Our task today is to apply that same dedication to constructive and compassionate ends.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The past provides a powerful lens through which to view the present. The leadership demonstrated by predecessors like Lord de Lacy was about marshalling forces to meet the great challenges of the day. Our challenge now is to marshal resources, influence, and energy to build a legacy of positive impact, particularly through education and philanthropy.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to its duties as custodians of a near-millennial legacy. This work involves not only preserving and curating the history of the Barony but also translating its enduring principles into effective modern action. The House’s focus continues to be directed toward its primary philanthropic causes and its cultural initiatives, *inter alia*.
Forthcoming endeavours, including the curricula developed for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, will seek to instil principles of leadership, etiquette, and civic responsibility. By doing so, the House ensures that the tradition of service, once demonstrated on the fields of battle by figures like Henry de Lacy and later by statesmen like John of Gaunt, continues to find expression in the service of community and culture.
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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 translating a profound historical legacy into impactful modern stewardship. The primary mission of the House is to champion causes related to child welfare and to advance cultural education, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic activities are centred on its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, benefitting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club, the House promotes the timeless values of etiquette, leadership, and civic duty. The heir to the Barony is the current holders' son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**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 inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists the lands of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com