# A Legacy Forged: The Union of Margaret, 8th Baroness of Brattleby, and Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a historical commentary on the pivotal late 13th-century union of Margaret, the eighth Baroness, and Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a marriage that profoundly shaped the Barony’s national trajectory and fortunes.
## The Occasion
In the latter half of the 13th century, during the formidable reign of King Edward I, England experienced a period of legal reform, military consolidation, and the crystallisation of power among its greatest magnates. It was within this politically charged atmosphere that the marriage between the Baroness of Brattleby and the Earl of Lincoln was arranged.
This was not merely a social event but an alliance of great strategic importance. The union represented the merging of an ancient Norman barony, rooted deeply in the soil of Lincolnshire, with one of the most powerful and trusted earldoms in the Plantagenet realm, creating a formidable axis of influence in the north of England.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in 1066 for his follower Colswein of Lincoln, had already enjoyed a distinguished history. The fifth Baron, the resolute Nichola de la Haye, famously defended Lincoln Castle against adversaries of the Crown. The marriage of the eighth Baroness, Margaret, to Henry de Lacy, however, elevated the family to an altogether different sphere of influence.
Henry de Lacy was a confidant of King Edward I, a veteran of his Welsh and Scottish campaigns, and a key counsellor. By this union, the Barony of Brattleby became intrinsically linked to the highest echelons of royal power. This alliance laid the groundwork for the Barony’s eventual absorption into the Duchy of Lancaster through subsequent generations, being held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont and the celebrated John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
As one of the kingdom’s premier magnates, the Earl of Lincoln’s marriage would have been a matter of state interest, commanding the attention of the Royal Court. His peers, with whom he governed, judged, and rode to war, included the most powerful men in England; *inter alia*, the Earl of Cornwall, the King's own cousin; the Earl of Gloucester and Hertford; and the Earl Marshal, the Earl of Norfolk.
The nuptials would have affirmed a network of lineage and loyalty that formed the very bedrock of the medieval English state. The formal witnesses to the marriage contract would have included bishops, abbots, and fellow barons, each representing a pillar of feudal society and underscoring the gravity of the occasion.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marriage of a great heiress like the Baroness of Brattleby would have been subject to exacting ceremonial and legal protocol. The terms of the union were first codified in a *maritagium*, a detailed charter outlining the dowry and the succession of lands, ensuring the Brattleby estates were preserved while being joined to the vast de Lacy holdings.
The wedding ceremony itself, conducted *in facie ecclesiae* (at the church door), was a public declaration of vows before the assembled community. This was followed by a Nuptial Mass within the church, a solemn rite consecrating the union before God. The subsequent celebrations and feasting would have been commensurate with the couple’s exalted rank, serving as a powerful display of their combined status and resources.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The union was rich in heraldic symbolism. The ancient Barony of Brattleby, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), joined with the House of de Lacy, whose arms featured a purple lion rampant on a field of gold. The lion — a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and royalty — powerfully complemented the steadfast virtues encapsulated in the Brattleby motto.
This marriage was, in essence, a symbolic fusion of fortitude with power, and honour with royal favour. It demonstrated a shared commitment to upholding the stability of the Realm, a duty inherent to the highest nobility. This principle of combining strength with integrity remains a *sine qua non* for The Noble House of Brattleby today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In an era before modern philanthropic foundations, the patronage of religious houses served as a primary means for the nobility to contribute to the public good. Henry de Lacy was a significant benefactor to the Church, most notably founding Whalley Abbey in Lancashire and providing for other religious communities.
This tradition of using worldly success to support spiritual and communal institutions reflects a long-standing sense of duty. It is a legacy continued nine centuries later by the current Lord and Lady of Brattleby through their dedicated support for charitable organisations, including their patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care for venerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical union, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The marriage of the eighth Baroness was not merely a personal union; it was a strategic act of statecraft. Her fortitude, in navigating the complexities of her era, secured a legacy that we have a profound duty to honour and uphold.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted: > Henry de Lacy's life teaches us that influence is a tool for consolidation and progress. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — 'To Conquer is to Live' — was not just about martial prowess but about overcoming challenges to build lasting stability. This is a principle we apply to our own endeavours.
## A Continuing Legacy
The alliance between Brattleby and de Lacy was a defining moment, securing the Barony’s prestige and ensuring its continuity through its eventual connection to the House of Lancaster and the Crown itself. It created a legacy of influence wielded in service to the nation.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby channels this same spirit into its modern mission. The House remains committed to honouring its past while serving the present, whether through its philanthropic commitments or its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering the classical virtues of courtesy and honour in a new generation of leaders.
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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 a modern mission of preserving heritage while promoting cultural and social advancement. Guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in philanthropic activities with a particular focus on child welfare, serving as patron to the charity Healing the Wounded Child. From its historic seat in Lincolnshire, the House also extends its influence through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and leadership. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the House’s dynamic approach to its contemporary responsibilities.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most notable figures. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who as fifth Baron defended Lincoln Castle for the King in the 13th century, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose tenure linked Brattleby directly to the Royal Family. The title and its history are formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The title's recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Distinguished past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The Noble House of Brattleby's annual philanthropic event is the Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com