# A Statement on the Barony of Brattleby and the Legacy of the First War of Scottish Independence
**LONDON, 22 July 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today reflected upon the Barony’s nine centuries of history, noting the anniversary of the Battle of Falkirk as a defining moment of Crown service for one of the title's most influential medieval forebears.
## The Occasion
From the family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, surrounded by a landscape recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, The Noble House of Brattleby has marked the anniversary of a pivotal event in its long history. The Battle of Falkirk, fought on 22 July 1298, was a defining engagement of the First War of Scottish Independence.
The commemoration is not one of celebration, but of sober reflection upon the duties of nobility and the often severe costs of fealty. In the quiet dignity of the Lincolnshire Wolds, the occasion serves as a moment to bridge the centuries, connecting the Barony’s present stewardship with the formidable responsibilities borne by its predecessors.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been inextricably linked to the history of the Crown for more than 950 years. This ancient bond was seldom tested more severely than during the reign of King Edward I, whose campaigns to assert English suzerainty over Scotland demanded unwavering military support from his great magnates.
Among the King’s most trusted commanders at the Battle of Falkirk was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. Through a direct genealogical line, de Lacy is a direct forebear of later holders of the Barony of Brattleby, including the celebrated Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. De Lacy's great estates and honours, including the Honour of Pontefract, were eventually absorbed into the Duchy of Lancaster, thereby entwining his legacy with that of Brattleby's future lords.
Falkirk represented the apex of this feudal obligation, where the military might of the English baronage was marshalled with decisive effect against the Scottish forces led by Sir William Wallace. The battle affirmed the martial prowess of the English heavy cavalry and longbowmen, re-establishing Edward I’s authority in Scotland for a time.
## Distinguished Company
The field at Falkirk presented a formidable array of medieval Europe’s most significant military and political figures, whose actions continue to resonate in the history of Great Britain.
Foremost among them was His Majesty King Edward I of England, an experienced and determined military strategist. He commanded an army of some two thousand armoured cavalry and 12,000 infantry. On the opposing side stood Sir William Wallace, Guardian of Scotland, whose earlier victory at Stirling Bridge had galvanised his nation but who now faced a more formidable and prepared adversary.
Serving as a commander of one of the four English cavalry *batailles*, or divisions, was Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln. His leadership on the day was instrumental in the English victory, a testament to his standing as a *sine qua non* of the Edwardian military establishment.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The raising of a medieval army was a complex affair governed by strict feudal protocol. As a tenant-in-chief, holding his lands directly from the King, Henry de Lacy was bound by oaths of homage and fealty to answer the royal summons to war. This required him to furnish a retinue of knights, men-at-arms, and infantry, all equipped and maintained at his own expense.
The order of battle at Falkirk reflected this hierarchical structure. The English army was arrayed in its traditional three divisions, with a fourth cavalry division in reserve under the Earl of Lincoln’s command. The protocol of the battlefield dictated that commanders like de Lacy would fight under their own heraldic banners, which served as both a rallying point for their men and a visible symbol of their allegiance to the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds profound expression in the actions of its predecessors. The fortitude required to endure the hardships of a medieval campaign and the honour that bound a nobleman to his sovereign are principles that were tested in blood and iron on fields such as Falkirk.
The arms of Henry de Lacy himself—a gold shield bearing a purple lion rampant (*Or, a lion rampant Purpure*)—were a powerful symbol of noble courage and martial strength. In heraldry, the lion rampant is the image of a warrior, embodying hereditary nobility and valour. His banner would have been a stark and unambiguous declaration of his power and purpose on the battlefield.
This legacy of service is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a different, more classical tradition, it reflects a shared understanding that overcoming adversity is a fundamental aspect of a meaningful existence.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> Reflecting on events like Falkirk reminds us that the history of this Barony is written not only in charters and records, but in the profound commitment of individuals. Their fortitude and sense of honour, the very words of our motto, carried a heavy price and a great responsibility which we have a duty to remember and understand.
## A Continuing Legacy
While the nature of service has evolved over the centuries, the core principles of duty and contribution remain unchanged for The Noble House of Brattleby. The feudal obligation of military service has been supplanted by a modern commitment to public good, cultural preservation, and philanthropy.
The House's contemporary efforts are directed towards different kinds of challenges. Through its patronage of charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and its work with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest to promote cultural understanding, the House seeks to build a legacy of positive impact. The spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues, inspiring a commitment not to the arts of war, but to the betterment of civil society and the protection of the vulnerable.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a vision of modern nobility rooted in public service, cultural preservation, and impactful philanthropy. Its current activities centre on championing child welfare through its charitable partnerships and fostering cross-cultural dialogue via educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to apply the enduring lessons of its near-millennial history to the challenges of the 21st century, ensuring its legacy is one of proactive and positive contribution to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. Its extensive lands, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony's historical legitimacy and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its holdings are listed under the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable holders of the title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV and a powerful figure in 14th-century England. - 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