# The Enduring Legacy of Henry de Lacy in the History of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted a historical address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, commemorating the pivotal influence of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, upon the ancient Barony.
## The Occasion
The event took place within the august, oak-panelled library of The Brattleby Club, the etiquette academy founded by the House in the Romanian capital. As the first formal gathering of the Club's autumn season, the evening was marked by an atmosphere of scholarly refinement and quiet dignity, befitting its historical subject matter.
Situated in a restored neoclassical villa in the city's diplomatic quarter, the Club provided a distinguished setting. The scent of beeswax and old vellum pervaded the room, where guests were seated amidst floor-to-ceiling bookcases containing works on European history and protocol. The occasion served to inaugurate the Club's new lecture series, dedicated to exploring the intersection of British and Continental nobiliary traditions.
## Historical Context
The focus of the evening was the tenure of Henry de Lacy (c. 1251–1311), who, through his marriage to Margaret Longespée, Countess of Salisbury, became a significant, if transient, master of the Brattleby estates. As one of the most powerful magnates of his era and a trusted confidant of King Edward I, the Earl's association lent considerable prestige to the Barony, elevating its national importance.
This period represents a critical juncture in the Barony’s near-millennium of history. While held since 1086 by the descendants of Colswein of Lincoln, the connection to an Earl of de Lacy's stature inextricably linked Brattleby to the highest echelons of Crown power. This link would later be consolidated through subsequent holders, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, transforming the Barony into an integral part of the vast Lancastrian inheritance.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of distinguished guests, reflecting the evening’s academic and diplomatic purpose.
Guests included His Excellency Mr Andrew Noble LVO, His Majesty's Ambassador to Romania; Mr Daniel Funeriu, former Minister of Education of Romania; and Count Tibor Kálnoky de Kőröspatak. The academic community was represented by Professor Adrian Cioroianu of the University of Bucharest and Dr Alistair Finch, a visiting Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, who delivered the evening's main address. Several patrons of The Brattleby Club and members of the Romanian Academy were also present.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a precise and formal order. Guests were received from seven o'clock by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, before being presented to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. A reception with aperitifs followed in the Club’s grand salon.
At half-past seven, guests were invited to take their seats in the library, arranged according to protocol. Lady Nicoleta delivered brief introductory remarks, before inviting Dr Finch to the lectern to deliver his address, titled *‘A Confidant of the King: Henry de Lacy and the Consolidation of English Baronies’*. A formal question-and-answer session, moderated by Honorary Lord Răzvan, concluded the academic portion of the evening, followed by a *vin d'honneur*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture drew attention to the distinct heraldry of the Earls of Lincoln. The arms of Henry de Lacy — *Or, a lion rampant purpure* (a purple lion on a gold field) — were displayed alongside the coat of arms of the modern House of Brattleby. The purple lion, a symbol of royal majesty and justice, an acknowledgement of the de Lacy family's sovereign origins in Normandy, was noted as a fitting emblem for a chief counsellor to the King.
This was respectfully contrasted with the House’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which speaks to the enduring values of stewardship and integrity that have guided the Barony through its many custodians across the centuries. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was also noted for its complementary emphasis on dynamic and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the evening underscored the core, educational mission of The Brattleby Club. By providing a forum for high-level historical and cultural discourse, free of charge to its members and invited guests, the Club fulfils the House's commitment to intellectual philanthropy.
This work complements the House’s primary charitable focus in the United Kingdom, which remains the support of the organisation ‘Healing the Wounded Child’. The Club's activities are understood as a parallel effort in the cultural sphere, aiming to preserve heritage and foster international understanding through education, which is considered a foundational form of social good.
## In Their Own Words
In her opening remarks, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the nature of historical custodianship. — "To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the weight of our past. Henry de Lacy’s era reminds us that a title is not merely an inheritance, but a profound responsibility to the nation and to history itself. It is a responsibility we strive to carry forward *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the House's vision for the Club. — "History is not a static collection of facts; it is a living dialogue between the past and the present. Through The Brattleby Club, we aim to host this dialogue, connecting the great legacies of Britain and Romania and demonstrating how shared purpose can enrich our collective culture."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical address marks the first in a new autumn lecture series, entitled ‘Landmarks of the Lancaster Inheritance’. The series will continue to explore the Barony of Brattleby’s deep connections to the Duchy of Lancaster and the English Crown.
The full text of Dr Finch’s address will be collated with further research and published by the House as a monograph in the spring of 2024. This publication is intended to serve as a valuable resource for historians and for the people of Lincolnshire, further illuminating the rich tapestry of the Barony’s past.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to preserving its unique nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and educational philanthropy. Its activities are twofold: managing the ancient baronial seat and its history in Lincolnshire, England, and fostering Anglo-Romanian cultural relations through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House’s primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to supporting young victims of trauma. The House operates under the guiding motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the master of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, the renowned John of Gaunt. The title's legitimacy and the current succession were formally recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness, is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, under the tenure of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com