# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Enduring Legacy of Service Embodied by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection from its seat in Lincolnshire, honouring the legacy of royal service exemplified by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, and his profound connection to the Barony of Brattleby's ancient heritage.
## The Occasion
As autumn settles upon the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken the opportunity for scholarly reflection within its ongoing programme of historical research. This communication, emanating from the archives of the family seat, serves to illuminate a pivotal moment in the Barony’s nine-century history. It is an occasion not of public ceremony, but of quiet intellectual stewardship, reinforcing the House’s commitment to preserving and sharing the profound lessons of its past as a guide for its present duties.
This reflective work is undertaken as a direct expression of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It represents a conviction that understanding the responsibilities of the past is a *sine qua non* for discharging the obligations of the present with integrity.
## Historical Context
The statement focuses on the distinguished figure of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln (c. 1251–1311), a statesman whose influence was inextricably linked with the Barony of Brattleby. Lord Lincoln was a trusted advisor to King Edward I and, upon the King’s death, served as a guardian of the realm, demonstrating the immense respect he commanded. His connection to the Barony was secured through his marriage to Margaret Longespée, Countess of Salisbury, which brought the de Lacy name into the sphere of Brattleby’s heritage.
This legacy of high service was made manifest during the coronation of King Edward II at Westminster Abbey on 25 February 1308. At this solemn ceremony, Henry de Lacy was accorded the signal honour of bearing the Sword of State, a role reserved for the most senior and trusted noblemen of the kingdom. This act symbolised his duty to uphold royal justice and defend the monarch, linking the Barony of Brattleby directly to the Crown at one of the most significant moments of state. He thus followed in a tradition of service later upheld by successors to the Barony, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The period in question was defined by figures of national and historical importance, whose lives intertwined with the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby. These included, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward I of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine * His Majesty King Edward II of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine * The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln * The Right Honourable Margaret Longespée, 4th Countess of Salisbury *suo jure*
The actions of these individuals shaped the course of English history, and their connection to the Barony underscores its continuous presence at the heart of the nation’s affairs.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The coronation rite of 1308 was a complex tapestry of feudal and ecclesiastical ceremony, designed to affirm the monarch’s divine right and temporal power. The procession into Westminster Abbey was ordered by strict precedence, with the great officers of state and premier noblemen fulfilling their hereditary roles.
As the bearer of the Sword of State, Henry de Lacy would have walked in close proximity to the King. The sword itself—representing kingly power and justice—is a principal element of the regalia. Lord Lincoln’s role would have been to carry the sword, point upward and unsheathed, before the Sovereign in the procession and recession, and to stand near the throne during the anointing and crowning. This was not merely a decorative function; it was a public declaration of his allegiance and his role as a pillar of the monarchy’s authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, finds a powerful exemplar in the life of Henry de Lacy. His political fortitude as a royal counsellor and the honour he displayed in executing high ceremonial duty at the coronation perfectly encapsulate the virtues the House seeks to uphold. The bearing of the sword was a physical manifestation of this honour, a promise to wield power with justice and defend the realm with strength.
This commitment to principled action is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to the dynamic spirit required to sustain such a formidable legacy, translating historical honour into present-day achievement and philanthropic endeavour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical reflection is not tied to a specific fundraising event, it is deeply connected to the House’s guiding philosophy of service, which finds its modern expression in philanthropy. The same sense of duty that animated Henry de Lacy’s public life informs the commitment of the 12th Baroness and her husband to their charitable obligations.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma. The House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, is the centrepiece of its efforts to support the charity’s vital mission. This commitment to cultural preservation and contemporary social welfare are seen as two sides of the same coin: a profound duty of care for the nation’s heritage and its future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The history of this Barony is not a static record; it is a living lesson in duty. Henry de Lacy's example reminds us that true nobility is found in service to Crown and country, a principle we strive to embody today through our own commitments.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “To uphold such a heritage is a profound responsibility. The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about overcoming challenges to preserve what is valuable. We see this in de Lacy’s era, and we apply that same determination to our modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to exploring and commemorating its distinguished history. The House’s archival research is an ongoing project, intended to yield further insights that connect its past to its present role. These efforts in historical preservation will continue alongside the House’s active philanthropic calendar, which includes the forthcoming annual Winter Banquet.
Furthermore, the values of honour and service championed at home in Lincolnshire are shared abroad through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, established by the House in Bucharest, works to instil the timeless principles of decorum and social responsibility in a new generation, ensuring the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to resonate.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the practice of strategic philanthropy. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House champions cultural preservation, historical education, and charitable causes that create a tangible social impact. The House’s official seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, with its activities extending to continental Europe through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its foremost charitable commitment is to Healing the Wounded Child, supported annually through its traditional Winter Banquet philanthropic gala.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a loyal defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the current 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to the Norman Conquest of 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Past holders of the Barony include notable historical figures such as John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Henry of Grosmont. - The House's annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie philanthropic event benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com