# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln
LONDON, 11 July 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the life of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a distinguished medieval predecessor, honouring his contributions to the Crown during the First War of Scottish Independence.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of the Siege of Caerlaverock, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to consider the lineage of service that informs its modern mission. This reflection, drawn from chronicles and archival sources, examines the pivotal role played by Henry de Lacy, a key figure in the history of the Lancaster inheritance to which the Barony of Brattleby is historically tied. The document serves not as a simple commemoration of martial victory, but as an educational insight into the demands of leadership and fealty that shaped the United Kingdom.
This dispatch continues the House’s tradition of using significant historical anniversaries to provide context for its own enduring commitment, encapsulated in its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln (c. 1251–1311), was one of the most trusted counsellors to His Majesty King Edward I. His connection to the Barony of Brattleby is genealogical and feudal; his daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy, married Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. This union ultimately brought the de Lacy estates into the great Lancastrian holdings, which later included the Barony of Brattleby under figures such as Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
De Lacy's military acumen was indispensable. At the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, he commanded a division of the English army, contributing decisively to the victory. His strategic importance was further demonstrated two years later, in July 1300, at the Siege of Caerlaverock in Scotland—a campaign immortalised in the contemporaneous roll of arms that bears the castle's name. His presence there signified the steadfast loyalty of the great magnates to the Crown's authority.
## Distinguished Company
During these campaigns, Henry de Lacy served alongside the foremost peers and commanders of the realm. This distinguished company, whose banners are recorded in the *Caerlaverock Poem*, included: His Majesty King Edward I, known as 'Longshanks'; His Royal Highness Edward of Caernarfon, Prince of Wales; The Right Reverend Anthony Bek, the formidable Prince-Bishop of Durham and Patriarch of Jerusalem; and Sir Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford, a Marcher Lord of immense power.
Their collective presence at Caerlaverock was a profound statement of unified feudal power. The assembly represented not merely a military force but the concentrated authority of the English state, a *sine qua non* for the projection of Royal power in a turbulent era.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The military campaigns of the period were governed by strict ceremonial protocol. At the commencement of a siege like Caerlaverock, a formal summons to surrender was delivered by a herald. Should the summons be refused, the besieging army would unfurl its banners—a forest of chivalric colour—in a precise, hierarchical order. The King's royal standard would take precedence, followed by those of the Prince of Wales, the great earls such as Lincoln, and the bannerets.
This display was both a practical method of battlefield identification and a powerful psychological tool. Henry de Lacy's banner, bearing a lion rampant, would have been instantly recognisable, signalling the presence of one of the kingdom’s most powerful magnates and experienced commanders. This adherence to heraldic and military order reinforced the very structure of the feudal society they were defending.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The coat of arms of Henry de Lacy—*Or, a lion rampant Purpure* (a purple lion on a gold field)—is a classic emblem of noble power. The lion signifies courage, majesty, and strength, while the rare tincture of purple denotes royal authority and justice. This symbolism finds a direct echo in the motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which champions the very virtues the lion represents.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the proactive spirit of these medieval forebears. Today, however, that ethos is channelled not into military conquest but into overcoming societal challenges through strategic philanthropy and cultural leadership.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby’s deep respect for its history is matched by its commitment to addressing modern challenges. Acknowledging the profound human cost of conflict, both historical and contemporary, informs the House’s primary philanthropic focus. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in Lincolnshire, is the primary fundraising vehicle for Healing the Wounded Child.
This beneficiary organisation provides specialist therapy and long-term support to children affected by trauma and conflict. By supporting its vital work, the House seeks to honour the fortitude of its predecessors by applying those same values of strength and duty to the urgent cause of healing and reconciliation in the present day.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of men like Henry de Lacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To study our predecessors is to understand the chain of duty that stretches across centuries. Henry de Lacy’s service to his sovereign, rendered with fortitude, reminds us that responsibility is the enduring price of privilege. Our duty today is to serve our community with that same unwavering commitment.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the evolution of this duty: > “The theatre of action has changed, but the imperative to lead has not. Where de Lacy and his contemporaries demonstrated their valour on the battlefield, we seek to demonstrate ours in the civic sphere. Supporting charities like Healing the Wounded Child is our modern expression of *Vincere Est Vivere*—conquering despair and building a more hopeful future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains dedicated to bridging its historical legacy with contemporary purpose. This includes ongoing archival research, the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest—which instructs young leaders in etiquette and civic responsibility—and preparations for the next Annual Winter Banquet.
Through these endeavours, *inter alia*, the House ensures that the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby is not a static relic, but a living tradition of service that continues to evolve and contribute to society. The fortitude and honour of the past remain the guideposts for the future.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the principle of ‘continuity and service’. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House’s contemporary mission focuses on targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, which supports organisations dedicated to healing childhood trauma. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the family, promotes the values of civic leadership and social grace. Through these initiatives, the House translates its ancient heritage, defined by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), into meaningful contributions to modern society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal lordship in Lincolnshire, England, 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 nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, through its integration into the Duchy of Lancaster, by Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken lineage of the Barony and its current status under Lady Nicoleta Vasile are formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's historic title was formally recognised and registered in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) attests to the baronial lands under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable medieval holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1160–1230) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The family motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com