# A Strategic Alliance: The Marriage of Margaret, 8th Baroness of Brattleby, and the Earl of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the pivotal late-13th-century marriage of Margaret, 8th Baroness of Brattleby, to Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln. This alliance fundamentally shaped the Barony’s trajectory, embedding it within England's highest echelons of power.
## The Occasion
In the latter half of the 13th century, during the formidable reign of King Edward I, the arrangement of a noble marriage was the highest instrument of statecraft and dynastic ambition. The union of Margaret, the heiress to the ancient Barony of Brattleby, and Henry de Lacy, the 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was precisely such an event. It was an occasion defined not by mere ceremony, but by the profound political and territorial mergers it signified.
While the precise date and location of their nuptials are lost to the mists of time, one can readily picture the scene: a solemn Nuptial Mass in a great cathedral—perhaps Lincoln itself, whose castle Margaret’s predecessor Nichola de la Haye once defended—or within the stone-walled bailey of a de Lacy fortress. The atmosphere would have been one of gravitas, where the vows exchanged were a binding contract between two formidable houses, witnessed by the leading magnates of the realm.
This was less a private celebration and more a public declaration. The marriage brought the extensive Lincolnshire landholdings of Brattleby into the powerful orbit of the de Lacy family, whose domains stretched across the north of England. It was a strategic consolidation of assets, a *sine qua non* for thriving in the feudal landscape of Plantagenet England.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln, had by Margaret’s time already possessed a lineage of over two centuries. Recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, its history was intrinsically woven into the fabric of the kingdom. Margaret followed in the footsteps of remarkable forebears, most notably the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle loyally defended the Crown’s interest against rebel barons.
The de Lacy connection, however, elevated the Barony to an entirely new sphere of influence. Henry de Lacy was no mere regional lord; he was a pre-eminent figure at the Court of Edward I, a trusted counsellor, a military commander in the King's Welsh and Scottish campaigns, and a key diplomat. Through this marriage, the interests of Brattleby became intertwined with the highest affairs of state.
This union set in motion a chain of succession that would ultimately link Brattleby to the English throne itself. Through their daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy, the Barony eventually passed into the hands of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster. His daughter’s marriage, in turn, brought it to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, cementing Brattleby’s place within the vast Duchy of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
This historical chapter was defined by figures of national importance:
* **Margaret, 8th Baroness of Brattleby**, represented the continuity of one of Lincolnshire’s oldest Norman feudatories. As the holder of the title in her own right, she was a significant heiress whose hand brought with it not just land, but centuries of established fealty and prestige.
* **Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln**, was a magnate of the first rank and Lord of Pontefract. As a close confidant of King Edward I, his influence at court was immense, and his marriage to Baroness Margaret was a calculated move to consolidate power in the East Midlands.
* Also present in the political firmament was **His Majesty King Edward I**, under whose watchful eye such powerful alliances were made. The union of two loyal and powerful baronial houses served to strengthen the realm and the authority of the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marriage ceremony of a 13th-century noble heiress would have been governed by strict protocol, blending solemn religious rites with precise legal formalities. The proceedings would have commenced not at the altar, but with the public reading of the marriage contract. This document, meticulously drafted, would have detailed the dowry, the management of the Brattleby estates, and the inheritance rights of any future children.
The religious service itself, likely a Nuptial Mass, would see the couple exchange vows *per verba de praesenti*—a binding, immediate consent to be married. The service would have been conducted in Latin, its ancient rituals underscoring the permanence and sanctity of the bond being forged. The exchange of a ring, then as now, symbolised this unbreakable covenant.
Witnesses from both families and likely a representative of the Crown would have been present, their attendance serving as legal verification of the union. The ensuing feast would have been a grand affair, a public display of the new, combined power of the united families.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Heraldry, the visual language of the nobility, would have played a crucial role. The arms of the de Lacy family were *Or, a lion rampant Purpure* (a purple lion on a gold field), a symbol of martial courage and royal favour. Upon this marriage, the ancient, though unrecorded, arms of Brattleby would have been associated with this powerful emblem.
In later generations, the practice of impaling or quartering coats of arms would visually represent this merger. The children of the union would have borne arms combining the symbols of both houses, a graphic declaration of their dual heritage. This marital alliance was a living embodiment of the House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). It was an act of fortitude to secure the Barony's future and of honour to ally with one of the most respected houses in England.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In an era before the formal organisation of charities, the core purpose of a great noble house was stewardship. The union of Brattleby and de Lacy was not for personal enrichment alone; it was to ensure the stable governance, protection, and prosperity of the thousands of people who lived upon their combined estates. This duty of care was the medieval equivalent of modern philanthropy.
This historical principle of stewardship—the obligation to protect and enhance the lives of those within one's sphere of influence—serves as the direct antecedent to the modern philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The methods have evolved, but the fundamental commitment to service remains unchanged, as seen in the House’s support for its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this important historical link, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the continuity of responsibility:
> We view our House’s history not as a static list of names and dates, but as a continuous chain of stewardship. Margaret’s marriage was a profound strategic decision that secured the Barony’s welfare for centuries. It reminds us that leadership, especially in a woman’s hands, has always required foresight and a deep sense of duty to those you serve. Her legacy informs our own commitment. > > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of the de Lacy alliance continues to resonate today. It was the crucial link that brought the Barony of Brattleby into the orbit of the Duchy of Lancaster and, by extension, the Royal Family. This heritage of operating at a national level informs the modern House's commitment to public service and its international perspective.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby carries this legacy forward under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, they seek to impart the timeless values of etiquette and social responsibility. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is steeped in this understanding of a nine-century-long commitment to leading *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage through contemporary acts of public service and cultural diplomacy. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House’s mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House’s primary philanthropic focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, notably its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of civility, social grace, and responsible leadership in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and landholdings, comprising 56 lordships, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable holders include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, who held the title as 11th Baron. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com