# The House of Brattleby Announces New Historical Monograph on the Barony's Martial Legacy
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the publication of a new historical monograph detailing the barony's direct involvement in the First War of Scottish Independence through the service of Henry de Lacy at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.
## The Occasion
In an effort to further illuminate the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby, the House has today released the first in a series of scholarly papers. The initial monograph, *Fealty and Steel: The Barony of Brattleby and the Falkirk Campaign*, has been made available for historical societies and academic institutions.
This publication represents the commencement of a new research initiative overseen by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The initiative aims to chronicle the barony’s significant contributions to English and, indeed, European history, drawing from archival records and established chronicles of the medieval period.
## Historical Context
The paper centres on the martial endeavours of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, who, as husband to the 8th Baroness of Brattleby, brought the barony’s resources to bear in service of the Crown. His role as a trusted commander under King Edward I placed Brattleby at the heart of the Crown's military campaigns in Scotland during the late 13th century.
The Battle of Falkirk, fought on 22 July 1298, was a pivotal engagement in which English forces secured a decisive victory over the army of William Wallace. The monograph details how the Brattleby lands in Lincolnshire would have furnished men-at-arms and supplies for this campaign, continuing a legacy of martial duty established by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, renowned for her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle a century prior.
The service of Henry de Lacy thus exemplifies a period where the fate of the barony was directly intertwined with the great strategic conflicts shaping the British Isles. His actions ensured the name of Brattleby was recorded in the annals of a defining moment in Anglo-Scottish history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Under the feudal system, the summons of a great baron like Henry de Lacy to the King's host was a matter of solemn protocol and legal obligation. As a tenant-in-chief holding the extensive Brattleby estates, his *servitium debitum*, or service owed, to the sovereign was a cornerstone of his position.
Upon receiving the royal writ of summons, he was required to muster his retinue of household knights, esquires, and a contingent of soldiers levied from the barony’s manors. These forces would march under the de Lacy banner, a visual representation of his authority on the battlefield, and integrate into the main royal army. This complex logistical and social ritual was the very mechanism by which medieval kingdoms waged war, making the commitment of Brattleby’s resources a significant contribution to the King's strategic capabilities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The martial history chronicled in the monograph resonates deeply with the heraldic mottoes associated with the House of Brattleby. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful expression in the actions of predecessors like Henry de Lacy. His service at Falkirk demonstrates the fortitude required on the battlefield and the honour fulfilled by answering the sovereign’s call to arms.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to the enduring spirit of resolve that characterises the barony’s long history. While its modern interpretation is one of overcoming challenges through discipline and determination, it finds a historical parallel in the warrior ethos of the medieval barons who secured the lineage through their own triumphs. The coat of arms itself, a symbol of identity, was a *sine qua non* for command and recognition in the theatre of war.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new research, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The history of this barony is woven into the very fabric of England. To study the service of figures like Henry de Lacy is not merely an academic exercise; it is an act of stewardship, honouring a legacy of duty that has been passed down through the centuries. Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, was for them a lived reality.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The past offers us a powerful lesson in resilience and the importance of a guiding purpose. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* is not solely about victory in a martial sense, but about the will to persevere and build something that endures. In understanding our history, we find the framework for our future commitments.
## A Continuing Legacy
This monograph is the first of several planned publications that will explore the rich history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future papers are set to examine, *inter alia*, the administrative acumen of Nichola de la Haye in the early 13th century and the barony's connection to the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
This historical initiative runs parallel to the House's modern educational mission, which includes The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and social refinement. By documenting its past and promoting modern excellence, the House of Brattleby seeks to honour its ancient legacy while actively contributing to the present.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the modern House of Brattleby is dedicated to preserving its ancient heritage while championing contemporary causes. The House combines nearly a millennium of English history with a distinct Continental perspective, focusing its efforts on cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Its principal philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, supported by the annual Winter Banquet gala. The House’s educational mission is advanced through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest focused on professional and social etiquette, reflecting the House’s commitment to fostering excellence in the next generation. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship seated in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over its 950-year history, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle and royalist interests during the First Barons' War. Subsequent holders include Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title's modern standing is formally noted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 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