# A Martial Inheritance: The Noble House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Henry de Lacy
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the historical contributions of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. This commemoration examines his profound influence on the English Crown and the subsequent inheritance of his legacy by the Barony.
## The Occasion
As England settles into the quiet warmth of early summer, The Noble House of Brattleby takes a moment for historical reflection, turning its attention to the archives that illuminate its past. The occasion is one of scholarly remembrance, coinciding with the season of the anniversary of the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300. This act of commemoration is not a public ceremony but a quiet, sustained duty of custodianship, reaffirming the House’s commitment to understanding and preserving the near-millennium of history of which it is a steward.
Within the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, historical documents and armorial records provide a tangible connection to the pivotal figures who have shaped the nation’s course. This period of reflection serves to connect the present leadership of the House with the weighty responsibilities borne by their predecessors, ensuring the lessons of the past continue to inform the duties of the present. It is an exercise in continuity, undertaken in the spirit of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intertwined with the destiny of the kingdom since its inception. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a precedent of significant influence and duty to the Crown. This tradition of service was embodied by figures such as Henry de Lacy, a formidable magnate and one of King Edward I’s most trusted counsellors.
Lord de Lacy’s martial prowess was instrumental at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and again at the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, campaigns that defined the Anglo-Scottish wars. While not a Baron of Brattleby himself, his legacy became inextricably linked to the title through his daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy. Her marriage into the powerful House of Lancaster ensured that the vast de Lacy estates were eventually absorbed into the Duchy of Lancaster.
This inheritance passed directly to two later holders of the Brattleby barony: Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Through this lineage, the strategic and political inheritance of Henry de Lacy was woven into the very fabric of the Barony of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The historical narrative commemorated by the House involves some of the most consequential figures in English history. Their actions, alliances, and legacies form a chronicle of the late medieval period. The principal figures in this specific chapter include:
* His Majesty King Edward I of England * Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln * Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle * Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby * John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House observes a formal protocol for historical custodianship, viewing it as a solemn responsibility. This process is governed by long-standing tradition, beginning with the careful preservation and cataloguing of manuscripts, charters, and rolls of arms within a climate-controlled archival environment. Research and reflection are not casual endeavours but are guided by a scholarly agenda set by the House.
Any public statement or publication drawing on this history undergoes a rigorous review to ensure its accuracy, tone, and dignity. This protocol dictates that historical claims must be substantiated by primary sources or established academic consensus. The purpose is to serve not as self-aggrandisement, but as an educational resource, discharging a duty to the public record with a precision befitting the subject matter.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House are powerfully expressed through its heraldry. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the dual virtues of courage in adversity and integrity in action. It evokes the martial spirit of predecessors like the Earl of Lincoln and the steadfast loyalty of Nichola de la Haye, who held Lincoln Castle for the King against rebel barons.
This ancestral ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a modern interpretation of the historical imperative for resolve, translating the will to prevail on the battlefield into a contemporary determination to overcome challenges in philanthropy, diplomacy, and cultural preservation. Together, the mottos represent a continuum of purpose from the medieval to the modern age.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sense of duty demonstrated by figures like Henry de Lacy finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The principle of *noblesse oblige*—that privilege entails responsibility—is the cornerstone of the family's charitable work. This commitment is most publicly visible at the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated beneficiary.
The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma. The House was moved by the charity’s focused mission and its measurable impact in helping young people rebuild their lives. The support provided by the House enables the charity to expand its reach and offer its vital services to a greater number of vulnerable children each year.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s historical connections, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The history of this Barony is not a static collection of names and dates; it is a living narrative of service. Figures such as Henry de Lacy, whose legacy became entwined with our own through the House of Lancaster, remind us that fortitude and honour are timeless virtues.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > We look to the past not for glory, but for guidance. The strategic resolve of a commander at Caerlaverock finds its modern parallel in the focus required for our charitable endeavours. The principle of commitment remains the *sine qua non* of any meaningful legacy.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on the future and its role as a custodian of heritage for the next generation. This commitment is embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, in whom the future of this nine-hundred-year-old lineage is vested. The House’s educational mission continues through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural understanding and social grace.
Through the careful stewardship of its history, the active pursuit of its philanthropic mission, and the preparation of the next generation, the House ensures that the legacy of service and honour that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for centuries remains vibrant and purposeful in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. 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 unique nine-century heritage and the active promotion of philanthropy and cultural education. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), translates historical principles of duty and service into contemporary action. The House’s charitable work is focused on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet. Furthermore, it advances cultural diplomacy through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the feudal title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette 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 date to the Norman Conquest of 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com