# A Historical Reflection on the Union of the Barony of Brattleby and the Earldom of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection upon the pivotal late 13th-century marriage between Margaret Longespée, a descendant of the 8th Baron, and Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a dynastic union which profoundly shaped its destiny.
## The Occasion
The marriage of Henry de Lacy and Margaret Longespée took place during the formidable reign of King Edward I, a period defined by legal reform, military consolidation, and the forging of powerful alliances. Though the exact date is lost to history, such a significant union would have been celebrated with the full pageantry befitting two of the kingdom’s most influential families. The ceremony most likely occurred in the presence of God and the nobility *in facie ecclesiae*—at the doors of a great church, possibly the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral, a site defended a generation earlier by the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye.
The atmosphere of the time was one of gravitas and strategic purpose. England was engaged in extensive campaigns in both Wales and Scotland, and noble marriages were less affairs of the heart and more the *sine qua non* of political and military statecraft. The union of de Lacy and Longespée represented a formidable concentration of power, securing vast estates across the north of England and cementing a loyal and capable command structure for the Crown. The occasion was a statement of intent, binding two great lineages in common cause.
## Historical Context
This alliance anchored the Barony of Brattleby, already ancient, to the highest echelons of the English aristocracy. The Barony, first established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, had been a fixture of Lincolnshire’s landscape for over two centuries. The marriage brought the descendants of the 8th Baron into the orbit of Henry de Lacy, a man of immense influence and a trusted confidant of the King.
The bride, Margaret Longespée, was herself of quasi-royal descent as the great-granddaughter of an illegitimate son of King Henry II. Her lineage connected the provincial power of the Barony to the wider Angevin network. For the Barony of Brattleby, this was an evolution, building upon the martial legacy of figures like the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, who held Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. The marriage ensured the Barony’s continued relevance and prosperity, setting the stage for its later absorption into the Duchy of Lancaster under Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The wedding feast would have gathered a distinguished company of the realm's most powerful figures. At its centre were the bridegroom, The Right Honourable The Earl of Lincoln, Henry de Lacy; and the bride, The Right Honourable The Countess of Salisbury, Margaret Longespée, who held the title in her own right. Lord Lincoln was one of King Edward I’s most senior magnates, a veteran commander who distinguished himself at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and the celebrated Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, where his banner was recorded in the famous roll of arms.
In attendance would have been other great northern lords, *inter alia*, representatives from the Houses of Percy and Neville, whose fortunes were inextricably linked with those of the de Lacy family. The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Lincoln would have almost certainly officiated or been present, lending ecclesiastical authority. Given Lord Lincoln’s role as a sometime Guardian of the Kingdom during the King’s absence, it is highly probable His Majesty King Edward I was represented by a senior courtier, signalling royal approbation for the match.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The nuptial ceremony would have adhered to the solemn rites and elaborate protocols of the late 13th century. The marriage itself was a two-part ritual, beginning with the formal vows exchanged at the church door, witnessed by the assembled families and community. This was followed by a Nuptial Mass within the church, celebrated according to the Sarum Use, the Latin liturgical rite then prevalent in England.
Following the sacred rites, a great feast would have been held in the main hall of a castle, perhaps Lord Lincoln's seat at Pontefract. Seating was a rigid expression of social hierarchy. The bride and groom would sit at the high table with their closest family and most honoured guests, while others were seated at long trestle tables below. The fare would have been opulent, featuring game, roasted meats, and expensive spices, all symbols of wealth and status. Minstrels and troubadours provided entertainment, chronicling the heroic deeds of the families' ancestors in song.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
In an age of burgeoning heraldry, the symbolic merging of coats of arms was a clear visual declaration of a new alliance. The arms of Henry de Lacy were *Quarterly or and gules, a bend sable*, a powerful design of a shield divided into gold and red quarters, crossed by a bold black diagonal band. Later, he added a label of five points for distinction.
Those of the bride’s Longespée family were *Azure, six lioncels rampant or*—a blue shield charged with six small, rearing golden lions, a device reflecting their own formidable heritage. The theoretical marital arms, combining these two coats, represented the union of de Lacy's military prowess and administrative power with the Longespée family’s vast landholdings and royal blood. It was a graphic illustration of the new political reality created by their marriage. The modern House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a profound echo in the dutiful and courageous lives of these predecessors.
## The Purpose of Remembrance
While The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern entity, its purpose in reflecting upon such historical events is threefold. First, it serves to honour the legacy of those who shaped the Barony’s nine-century journey. Second, it provides an educational context for the titles and traditions the House now stewards, connecting them to the grand tapestry of English history.
Finally, this remembrance acts as an anchor for the House’s own values. The strategic foresight of the de Lacy marriage and the steadfastness of service to the Crown are principles that continue to inspire the House's contemporary activities. The act of looking back is not one of nostalgia, but of drawing strength and meaning from an unbroken chain of responsibility that stretches from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical union, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: >—“The history of the Barony is illuminated by figures of immense strength, from Nichola de la Haye to Margaret Longespée. They were not passive participants but architects of their destinies. To remember their contributions is to reaffirm our own duty of stewardship, ensuring this great legacy is preserved with fortitude and honour for the generations to come.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the strategic element of the marriage: >—“Henry de Lacy was a man who understood that power must serve purpose. His life demonstrates our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—that to conquer, whether on the battlefield or through diplomacy, is the essence of a meaningful existence. This union was a masterstroke of legacy-building, an act whose consequences strengthened the realm and reverberate in our history today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains deeply committed to honouring its past while actively contributing to the present. The historical lessons of alliance, duty, and foresight inform the House’s modern endeavours, from its philanthropic commitments to its cultural initiatives. This heritage is being carefully passed down to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby, for whom this history serves as both a map and a guide.
The spirit of forging connections, exemplified by the de Lacy marriage, finds a contemporary parallel in the House’s establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy seeks to build cultural bridges and foster personal development, continuing a centuries-old tradition of strategic engagement in a modern, constructive form. The House continues to write its history, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 stewardship of a title nearly one thousand years old. The House embraces its historical inheritance while pursuing a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala supporting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. The House is committed to honouring its legacy by making a meaningful contribution to contemporary society and preparing its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, for future leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony's historical continuity and the succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally noted in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), affirming its unique place in the history of the United Kingdom.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby dates to a grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - 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