# The Enduring Obligation of Service: Reflecting on the Battle of Falkirk, 1298
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection honouring the service of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a predecessor Baron of Brattleby, at the Battle of Falkirk, thereby reaffirming the Barony’s nine-century tradition of duty.
## The Occasion
In the summer of 1298, the fields near Falkirk, Scotland, became the theatre for a pivotal engagement of the First War of Scottish Independence. The battle, fought on 22 July, pitted the formidable English army of King Edward I against the Scottish forces commanded by Sir William Wallace. This was no mere skirmish; it was a decisive confrontation that would shape the political landscape of the British Isles.
The engagement was a testament to medieval military strategy and the brutal realities of warfare. The English deployment of longbowmen against the Scottish schiltrons—dense formations of spearmen—proved calamitous for Wallace’s army. It is within this crucible of national conflict that the obligations of the great magnates of England, including the holder of the Barony of Brattleby, were most starkly demonstrated.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intrinsically linked to the defence of the realm since its inception. The precedent for service was established by its earliest holders, such as Colswein of Lincoln, who was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder responsible for providing knights to the King. This duty was not abstract; it was a tangible requirement of feudal tenure.
By the late thirteenth century, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a key figure in Edward I’s court, held the Barony. As one of the kingdom’s most powerful nobles, his role was a *sine qua non* for the success of the King’s military campaigns. His leadership at Falkirk exemplifies a tradition of service also embodied by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and successors such as John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a dominant figure in English politics.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conventions of medieval warfare dictated a precise and observable protocol. As a commander of one of the four main divisions, or ‘battles’, of the English army, Henry de Lacy would have arrived on the field beneath his personal banner. This heraldic standard served not only as a declaration of his presence but as a vital rallying point for the knights and men-at-arms of his retinue.
His duties extended beyond personal combat; he was responsible for maintaining the discipline, formation, and morale of his troops throughout the engagement. An Earl’s position in the vanguard was a place of great honour and immense risk, signifying his commitment to the King’s cause. This battlefield leadership was the ultimate expression of the feudal contract, where land and title were held in exchange for military service.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the Barony’s predecessors resonate powerfully with the mottos that guide the House of Brattleby today. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates the spirit required of a commander like Henry de Lacy. He demonstrated fortitude in the face of the enemy and honour in fulfilling his sacred duty to his sovereign.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), reflects the stark reality of the medieval world, where victory was essential for survival and the preservation of one’s lineage and lands. On the battlefield, the armorial bearings displayed on shields and banners were more than mere decoration; they were symbols of identity, authority, and an unwavering commitment to victory.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> The tapestry of our nation's history is woven with threads of service and sacrifice. In remembering the actions of predecessors like Henry de Lacy, we reaffirm our own commitment to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*—a duty that transcends time and continues to guide our purpose today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Leadership in the thirteenth century demanded presence on the battlefield; today, it demands a different kind of courage. The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* endures, not as a call to arms, but as a resolve to overcome contemporary challenges, *inter alia*, with unwavering determination and a clear sense of purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
While the nature of service has evolved over nine centuries, the core principle of duty remains central to the ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby. The obligation to defend the realm, once fulfilled with sword and shield, is today expressed through civic and philanthropic commitment. This continuity of purpose is the enduring legacy passed down from one generation to the next.
The House’s modern endeavours, from the annual Winter Banquet supporting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, to the cultural and educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are extensions of this foundational commitment. By honouring its past, the House of Brattleby reinforces its dedication to serving society and upholding the values that have defined the Barony since 1066.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by 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 legacy. The modern House channels its historical commitment to service—*Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour')—into contemporary philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to build upon its noble heritage by making a meaningful contribution to society. Its focus is on supporting vulnerable children, championing cultural education, and upholding traditions of honour and civic duty that have defined the Barony for centuries.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as controlling 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated knight Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title’s long history and the rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by His Majesty’s College of Arms and published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding significant estates in Lincolnshire. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), two of fourteenth-century England’s most influential noblemen.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com