# A Reflection on the Union of Margaret, Eighth Baroness of Brattleby, and Henry de Lacy, Third Earl of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — On behalf of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, the Royal Communications Office today reflects upon the historic union of Margaret Longespée, eighth Baroness of Brattleby, and Henry de Lacy, a pivotal thirteenth-century marriage which secured the Barony’s national prominence.
## The Occasion
In the High Middle Ages, a period of profound consolidation for the English Crown, the marriage of great magnates was an affair of state. The union of Margaret, Baroness of Brattleby in her own right, to Henry de Lacy, the third Earl of Lincoln, was no exception. Taking place in the mid-thirteenth century, likely solemnised within the sacred precincts of Lincoln Cathedral or a private chapel of equivalent stature, the occasion would have radiated the political gravity of the era of King Henry III.
The atmosphere of the mid-1250s was charged with anticipation and nascent baronial dissent, which would later erupt into open conflict. It was in this environment that the joining of two such formidable inheritances was contracted. The marriage represented not merely a personal bond but a strategic alliance, meticulously negotiated to merge the ancient lineage of Brattleby with the martial power and vast resources of the Earldom of Lincoln.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, had already endured for two centuries, its foundation recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. By Margaret’s time, it was a storied title, having been held by formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle for the King was a matter of national legend. Margaret inherited this legacy of strong female leadership, a *sine qua non* for the survival and prosperity of a noble house.
Henry de Lacy was one of the wealthiest and most influential counsellors to both King Henry III and his son, the future King Edward I. His marriage to Baroness Margaret therefore brought the Brattleby domains directly into the orbit of the Royal Court. This union was instrumental in navigating the treacherous political landscape of the Second Barons’ War, ensuring the Barony’s lands and influence remained not only intact but significantly enhanced through their close affiliation with the victorious Royalist cause.
## Distinguished Company
While the precise guest records for a private, seven-hundred-year-old ceremony are lost to time, the standing of the two families allows for an informed reconstruction of the attendees. The union of an Earl and a Baroness *suo jure* (in her own right) would have drawn the highest echelons of English society. It is probable that His Majesty King Henry III and Her Majesty Queen Eleanor of Provence would have been present or represented by senior members of the Royal Family.
The assembly would have certainly included leading magnates and churchmen of the realm. One might envision the attendance of His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury; Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford; and perhaps even the King’s controversial brother-in-law, Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, whose path would soon diverge so dramatically from that of the Crown and its loyalists like Henry de Lacy. The gathering represented a microcosm of the power, wealth, and faith of Plantagenet England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marriage rites would have adhered to the strict canonical and social protocols of the thirteenth century. The ceremony likely began *in facie ecclesiae* — at the door of the church — where the formal vows, consent, and giving of the ring occurred in public view. Following this, the couple would have proceeded to the high altar for a Nuptial Mass, celebrated with the full solemnity befitting their rank, including plainsong chants and incense.
The prescribed dress would have been the finest court attire of the age, comprising velvets and silks dyed in rich colours, and ermine-trimmed mantles denoting their noble status. The subsequent wedding feast would have been a grand affair, governed by intricate rules of precedence. Here, the Earl and his new Baroness would preside over their guests, receiving oaths of fealty from their principal tenants and cementing the social and political reality of their powerful new union.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The marriage heralded a significant joining of heraldic identities. The arms of the Earl of Lincoln, a bold *Or, a lion rampant Purpure* (a purple lion on a gold field), were a famous symbol of power across England and on the battlefields of France and Wales. Upon marriage, these arms would have been marshalled, or combined, with the arms of the Barony of Brattleby. This displayed, in the universal language of heraldry, the fusion of their lands, titles, and legal authority.
This historic act of uniting two legacies resonates with the modern House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude of Baroness Margaret in managing her considerable inheritance and the honour of the Earl in his service to the Crown exemplify the very principles the House upholds today. It also mirrors the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, reflecting a commitment to purposeful achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In an era before the formalisation of modern charities, the principal form of aristocratic philanthropy was religious and civic patronage. The vast wealth consolidated by the union of the Brattleby and de Lacy estates enabled the endowment of abbeys, the construction of parish churches, and the support of clerical communities across their extensive lands in Lincolnshire and beyond.
This patronage was not merely an act of piety; it was a fundamental social responsibility. These endowments provided education, healthcare, and spiritual guidance for the populace, serving as the medieval equivalent of foundational grants. This tradition of noblesse oblige, the obligation of the nobility to serve society, is a direct antecedent of the modern House’s focused philanthropic work today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this pivotal moment in her House’s history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “The legacy of Baroness Margaret is a powerful reminder that leadership and responsibility have always been at the heart of the Brattleby title. Her strategic foresight secured the Barony’s future, demonstrating that true strength lies not only in land, but in the wisdom to forge alliances that serve a greater purpose. She is an inspirational predecessor.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “The union of Margaret and Henry was, in essence, a joint venture for the advancement of their lineage and the stability of the realm. It shows that partnership, built on mutual respect and shared objectives, is the most enduring strategy for success. Their story confirms that to build a lasting legacy is the ultimate victory.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The long-term consequences of this marriage were profound. Margaret and Henry’s sole surviving child, Alice de Lacy, became one of the greatest heiresses of her generation. Her own marriage to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, brought the Barony of Brattleby into the possession of the Royal House of Lancaster. This lineage continued directly to later Barons of Brattleby, including the celebrated Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby continues to honour this nine-century legacy of strategic stewardship and public service. The focus may have shifted from baronial politics to global philanthropy and cultural diplomacy, but the core duty remains unchanged. The commitment to service is now expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and through the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage through a contemporary mission of service. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary focus is on targeted philanthropy, most notably through its annual white-tie banquet benefiting children's charities, and on cultural education via its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The heir to the Barony is the present Baroness’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English 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 possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the chivalric paragon Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The title and its history are formally recognised in the official public record of the United Kingdom, *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s historic title is formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III. - The House motto 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