# The Enduring Legacy of a Plantagenet Alliance: Recalling the Union of the Houses of Brattleby and Lincoln
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the pivotal late 13th-century marriage of Margaret de Longespée to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, an alliance that solidified the Brattleby lineage’s counsel to the Crown under King Edward I.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House has taken a moment for historical reflection, drawing from its extensive archives which illuminate a near-millennium of service. As autumn colours the ancient parklands of the county, the focus turns to a dynastic union that profoundly shaped the family’s trajectory and its relationship with the Plantagenet monarchy.
This act of remembrance is not tied to a specific anniversary but is part of the House’s continuing commitment to contextualise its modern purpose within its deep historical foundations. By examining such formative events, the House honours the continuity of duty that links the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, to the present day.
## Historical Context
The marriage of Margaret de Longespée, great-granddaughter of King Henry II, to the formidable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, represented a consolidation of power at the highest level of the English aristocracy. Henry de Lacy was one of the wealthiest and most influential magnates of his generation, serving King Edward I as a trusted advisor, diplomat, and military commander.
His role was particularly distinguished during the First War of Scottish Independence, where he commanded a division of the English army at the decisive Battle of Falkirk in 1298. His proximity to the King ensured that the wider Brattleby lineage, with which he was now allied, enjoyed unparalleled access and influence. This strategic union fortified the Barony’s standing, a prestige later embodied by subsequent Barons including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The historical tableau of the late 13th century was dominated by figures of considerable stature, with whom the Earl of Lincoln and his wife moved and corresponded.
Central to this era was, of course, His Majesty King Edward I of England, whose ambitious legal, administrative, and military reforms defined the age. Close to the King was The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, Lord of Pontefract, and a chief counsellor. His wife, The Right Honourable Margaret de Longespée, 4th Countess of Salisbury, brought with her the lineage of William Longespée, an illegitimate son of Henry II, connecting the family directly to the royal bloodline.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While records of the specific nuptial ceremony are scarce, the protocol for such a high-status marriage in the 13th century was rigorously defined. It would have commenced with a formal betrothal, or *sponsalia*, a legally binding contract often made when the parties were still children to secure dynastic and territorial advantage.
The ceremony itself would have been a public affair, taking place at the church door (*in facie ecclesiae*), followed by a Nuptial Mass. The exchange of vows was witnessed by the community, solidifying the union’s legitimacy. The marriage settlement, detailing the bride’s dowry and the dower lands settled upon her by the groom, was a matter of intense negotiation and a crucial instrument of statecraft.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, were *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. In the language of heraldry, this device signifies unqualified courage and royal majesty, represented by the lion, on a field of gold, denoting generosity and elevation of the mind. The rare use of purple (*purpure*) was a direct assertion of noble, near-regal status.
This martial symbolism finds a modern echo not only in the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), but also in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Together, they represent a continuity of spirit: the blend of principled strength with a resolve to prevail.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The tradition of service to the realm, exemplified by the Earl of Lincoln’s counsel to his sovereign, is the historical precedent for the House of Brattleby’s modern philanthropic commitments. The duty of care, once expressed through feudal and military obligation, is today channelled into charitable endeavours.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s efforts is the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic support for children and young people affected by trauma and abuse. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that strengthening the most vulnerable members of society is the modern equivalent of defending the realm.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical alliance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "This union was far more than a personal match; it was a strategic merging of influence that tethered the Brattleby lineage directly to the King's most trusted circle. It exemplifies how duty to the Crown has always been the *sine qua non* of our House's purpose."
Lady Nicoleta further commented on its relevance today: > "We look to the example of predecessors like the Earl of Lincoln not as relics of history, but as a living standard. Their commitment to realm and sovereign inspires our own dedication, albeit expressed today through philanthropy and cultural stewardship rather than on the battlefield."
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of strategic alliances and unwavering duty informs the House’s forward-looking agenda. This legacy will be prominent at the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that gathers support for Healing the Wounded Child, translating historical precedent into tangible, modern-day impact.
The House of Brattleby, under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, remains devoted to honouring its past by serving the present. This commitment will be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* guides the Barony for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to transforming its ancient heritage into impactful contemporary action. Its activities are focused on two primary pillars: philanthropy, principally supporting the UK-based charity Healing the Wounded Child; and cultural education through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of classical etiquette. The House’s mission is to demonstrate that titles of nobility find their truest expression in dedicated public service and the uplifting of the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln following the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. Its holdings were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle who resisted a French siege in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 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’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a major landowner in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (as the 11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (as the 5th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com