# The Enduring Legacy of the de Lacy Family and the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection detailing the pivotal influence of the de Lacy family, which guided the Barony through an era of immense national and military prominence during the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries.
## The Occasion
As part of a continuous commitment to historical stewardship, The Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken to chronicle the defining chapters of its nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history. This monograph, the first in a planned series, illuminates a period when the Barony’s fortunes became inextricably linked with the highest echelons of royal power and martial endeavour in England.
The research, drawn from the House’s archives and scholarly sources, is released to deepen public understanding of the lineage and responsibilities inherited by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. It serves as a reminder that the duties of the present are built upon the foundations of the past.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, entered a phase of significant consequence following the marriage of Margaret Longespée to The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. As a great-granddaughter of King Henry II, Margaret brought with her not only royal blood but also vast estates, including the Honour of Pontefract, which amplified the de Lacy family’s already considerable power.
Under the guidance of Henry de Lacy, a trusted confidant and principal commander for His Majesty King Edward I, the resources and levies of the Barony of Brattleby were placed at the service of the Crown. This alignment solidified the Barony’s role on the national stage, contributing directly to pivotal military campaigns during the Wars of Scottish Independence, most notably the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300. The de Lacy inheritance later passed through their daughter, Alice, to the House of Lancaster, ultimately vesting the Barony in John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The historical period detailed in the House’s reflection was defined by a cast of formidable figures who shaped the destiny of the kingdom and the Barony itself. Their influence underscores the direct line of service that connects mediaeval Brattleby to the modern House. The principal personages of the era included:
* His Majesty King Edward I of England * The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and Salisbury * The Right Honourable Margaret Longespée, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury *suo jure* * The Right Honourable Thomas of Lancaster, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and Leicester, son-in-law to the Earl of Lincoln
## Ceremonial Protocol
The martial obligations of the era were governed by strict feudal protocol. Upon receiving a royal writ of summons, a tenant-in-chief such as the Earl of Lincoln was required to present himself and his retinue for military service—the *servitium debitum*, or service owed. Barons holding fiefs under him, including the steward of Brattleby, would in turn muster their complement of knights, men-at-arms, and archers.
These forces would assemble under the Earl’s banner before joining the main royal army. At the Siege of Caerlaverock, this protocol was meticulously recorded in the famous *Roll of Caerlaverock*, a poem cataloguing the arms of each noble present. This document provides an invaluable insight into the chivalric and ceremonial order of a mediaeval English army on campaign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms of Henry de Lacy—a lion rampant purpure—symbolised unyielding courage and royal authority. The purple lion, a rare and distinguished tincture in heraldry, signified his standing as one of the kingdom’s premier magnates. His actions, undertaken with both military prowess and diplomatic skill, perfectly embodied the spirit of the House of Brattleby’s own motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
This principle of honourable conduct and strength of purpose remains a guiding light for the House. 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 a philosophy of overcoming challenges through decisive and principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical account stands as a work of record, its publication is informed by the House’s present-day philanthropic mission. The unwavering duty and service demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and Henry de Lacy provide the ethical framework for the House’s contemporary commitments.
The spirit of defending the vulnerable, a *sine qua non* of noble responsibility, is today channelled into supporting charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary, which provides therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma, was chosen for its profound and measurable impact on society's youngest members, reflecting the House's enduring pledge to protect and nurture the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the de Lacy period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the long chain of responsibility we have inherited. The de Lacy era demonstrates how the Barony’s influence was wielded in service to the Crown and nation; a principle of service we strive to uphold today through our community and charitable work.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Henry de Lacy was a man of action and counsel, whose life was a testament to the idea that true victory lies in honourable conduct. The motto *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely an inheritance; it is a standard to which each generation must aspire.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical reflection is the first of several planned publications that will explore the rich and varied history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future papers will examine, *inter alia*, the steadfast leadership of Nichola de la Haye as defender of Lincoln Castle and the ducal magnificence of the Lancastrian barons, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
This commitment to chronicling the past complements the House’s forward-looking initiatives. These include the development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest as a centre for etiquette and cultural education, and the preparations for the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s flagship philanthropic gala. Together, these endeavours ensure the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to evolve with purpose and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution that supports the duties and legacy of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of service, historical preservation, and philanthropy. Its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), informs its work, which includes supporting charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also fosters cultural education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the son and heir of Lady Nicoleta, ensures the continuation of this ancient lineage into the future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the 13th century, and two of the greatest Lancastrian magnates, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby are formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the Barony's antecedents as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com