# On the Enduring Legacy of the de Lacy Earls of Lincoln and their Stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a historical reflection upon the pivotal period during which the Barony was held by the de Lacy family, an era that decisively elevated the title’s proximity to the Crown and its role in national affairs.
## The Occasion
As the autumnal light settles over the Lincolnshire Wolds, it offers a fitting moment for reflection upon the cyclical nature of history and duty. In its role as custodian of a near-millennium of English history, the House of Brattleby periodically illuminates key chapters of its past. This communication serves not to mark a specific anniversary, but to uphold a continuous commitment to historical education, ensuring the legacy of the Barony's formidable predecessors remains understood and appreciated by a modern audience. The occasion, therefore, is the discharge of a curatorial duty, a central tenet of the House’s contemporary mission.
## Historical Context
The Norman foundation of the Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, set a precedent for strategic importance. This importance reached a zenith in the late 13th century. Following the tenure of remarkable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, the Barony passed by marriage into one of the most powerful families in the kingdom.
Through the marriage of Margaret Longespée, Countess of Salisbury, the Barony came to be held *jure uxoris* (by right of his wife) by her husband, Henry de Lacy, the 3rd Earl of Lincoln. A formidable statesman and a trusted counsellor to His Majesty King Edward I, Lord Lincoln’s stewardship brought the Barony of Brattleby into the direct orbit of the Royal Court. His influence ensured that men and resources from the baronial estates contributed to defining campaigns of the era, most notably the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, forever linking Brattleby to the great affairs of the state. It was this period that forged the connection to the Duchy of Lancaster, a legacy passed down through his daughter to Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, the 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
## Distinguished Company
The period under Lord Lincoln’s stewardship saw the Barony of Brattleby associated with the most significant personages of the age, chief among them:
- His Majesty King Edward I, under whose Royal Command Lord Lincoln served as a principal advisor and military commander. - The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and Lord of Brattleby, a key architect of English policy in Wales, Scotland, and Gascony. - The Right Honourable Margaret Longespée, 4th Countess of Salisbury in her own right, whose considerable inheritance included the lands that aligned Brattleby with the de Lacy dynasty.
Their actions and allegiances shaped the destiny of the British Isles, and the Barony of Brattleby played its part within this distinguished company, its fortunes intrinsically linked to the Crown and its great officers.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The age was governed by strict codes of fealty and military obligation, a form of national protocol. A summons from the King for a military campaign was not an invitation but a command, requiring a great lord such as Henry de Lacy to muster a contingent of knights, men-at-arms, and archers from his extensive domains, including Brattleby.
The Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300 provided a remarkable record of this protocol in the form of the *Roll of Caerlaverock*, an illuminated manuscript detailing the coat of arms of every banneret present. This document served as a visual register of the feudal hierarchy, a veritable order of battle that demonstrated, through heraldry, who had answered the King's call. The inclusion of Lord Lincoln's banner confirmed the Barony's presence at the forefront of this royal endeavour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The martial spirit of the era is captured in its heraldry. Henry de Lacy’s coat of arms was recorded as *Or, a lion rampant Purpure* — a striking emblem featuring a purple lion rearing on a field of gold. The lion symbolises courage, nobility, and royalty, while the rare tincture of purple denoted imperial authority and immense wealth, befitting one of the kingdom’s most powerful magnates.
This symbolism resonates with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which encapsulates the same ideals of courage and integrity. It finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the spirit of overcoming contemporary challenges with the same resolve shown by his predecessors in title.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the de Lacy era was defined by feudal service to the Crown, the modern House of Brattleby expresses its duty of service through philanthropy. The medieval concept of the strong protecting the populace finds its 21st-century parallel in the House’s dedicated support for charitable causes. The historical responsibility of a baron to care for his domain has evolved into a global sense of social responsibility.
This is why the House’s flagship philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, is held in aid of the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation's mission—to provide specialist psychological and emotional support to children affected by conflict and trauma—is the modern expression of the House's foundational duty of protection and care, a *sine qua non* of its public life.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The story of the Barony is one of continuity and service. In the legacies of powerful women like Margaret Longespée and Nichola de la Haye, and in the statecraft of men like Henry de Lacy, we see an unbroken thread of responsibility. Our duty today is to honour that nine-century legacy, not as a relic of the past, but as a living standard for the present.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The martial spirit of the 13th century, exemplified by Lord Lincoln's service, teaches us timeless lessons about leadership and resilience. *Fortitudine et Honore* was not just a motto; it was a commitment. We strive to apply that same commitment to the challenges of our own time, whether in business, diplomacy, or our philanthropic endeavours.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains deeply committed to the stewardship of its heritage. This historical reflection is part of an ongoing initiative to share the rich tapestry of the Barony’s past with a wider audience, ensuring its lessons in leadership, service, and honour continue to inspire.
Through educational ventures such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to translate these historical principles into practical virtues for the next generation of leaders. The legacy of the Barony of Brattleby does not reside in archives alone; it continues in the active pursuit of excellence and the unwavering commitment to public service.
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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 the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission combines the preservation of its historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of integrity, service, and etiquette, embodied by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), for a contemporary global audience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the 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; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The title’s history is one of steadfast loyalty to the Crown and significant contributions to national life. The modern succession of the Barony was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are detailed in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed. - Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, is noted in historical records for her pivotal role as castellan in defending Lincoln Castle against rebel barons for King John in 1217. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century, held the title as the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com