# On the Union of the Barony of Brattleby and the Earldom of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal historical reflection upon the late 13th-century marriage of Margaret Longespée, 8th Baroness of Brattleby, to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln; a strategic union that secured the Barony’s national eminence.
## The Occasion
As the autumn season matures across the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, a time traditionally reserved for harvest and reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this moment for historical contemplation. From its ancient seat, the House has issued this formal narrative to illuminate a pivotal event in its chronicles, connecting the stewardship of the past with the duties of the present.
The issuance of this account is undertaken in the spirit of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). It is an act of remembrance intended to underscore an enduring principle: that true leadership requires both strategic foresight and a profound respect for heritage. This conviction has guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of English history, from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
This reflection serves not merely as an archival exercise, but as a reaffirmation of the continuity of responsibility that defines the Barony. It acknowledges that the decisions of one generation profoundly shape the fortunes of the next, a lesson as relevant in the 13th century as it is in the 21st.
## Historical Context
The marriage of the eighth Baroness, Margaret Longespée, to the magnate Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, was a defining event of the late 13th century. This was the era of King Edward I, a period marked by legal reforms, parliamentary development, and the consolidation of power in the British Isles. Within this dynamic landscape, a strategic alliance was paramount for any noble house seeking to secure its legacy.
By this union, the Barony of Brattleby, an important Lincolnshire holding since AD 1066, was aligned with one of the most powerful and influential families in the Kingdom. Henry de Lacy was more than a great landowner; he was a trusted confidant of the King and a principal counsellor on military and diplomatic affairs. This association elevated Brattleby from a significant regional lordship to a component in a strategic portfolio that helped to shape the governance of the realm, giving its Baroness a voice in the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court.
Margaret followed in the tradition of formidable female leadership exemplified by her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye. As the fifth Baroness, Nichola’s steadfast loyalty to the Crown saw her successfully defend Lincoln Castle against rebel and French forces during the First Barons' War (1215-1217). Margaret’s marriage was therefore not an act of submission, but a shrewd continuation of this legacy. It was an alliance of strength, placing the Barony's lands, people, and resources under the protection of a statesman at the very centre of national affairs.
## Distinguished Company
The principal figures of this historic alliance represented the apex of the English nobility, their lives interwoven with the great events of their age.
The eighth Baroness, Margaret Longespée, was the great-granddaughter of an illegitimate son of King Henry II and the sole heiress to a significant martial and administrative legacy. Her status as a *suo jure* Baroness made her marriage a matter of state importance, the *sine qua non* for the continuation of her family's influence and the prosperity of the lands under her charge.
Her husband, His Lordship The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 4th Earl of Salisbury, was a pre-eminent figure throughout the reigns of King Henry III and his son, King Edward I. As a veteran of the Welsh campaigns and a seasoned diplomat engaged in missions to the court of France, his influence was felt across the kingdom. The union with Baroness Margaret effectively merged the ancient lineage of Brattleby, established by Colswein of Lincoln at the Conquest, with a figure of undisputed national consequence.
Their union and the subsequent life of their court would have drawn in other notable figures, including bishops, royal justices, and fellow magnates whose own fortunes were tied to the favour of the King. Together, they constituted the intricate web of power that administered Plantagenet England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While the precise records of the nuptial ceremony are lost to time, the protocols for a high-status aristocratic marriage in the late 13th century were meticulously established. The union transcended personal sentiment, serving as a public and legally binding treaty between two powerful estates. It would have been solemnised through a combination of ecclesiastical rites and the formal transfer of property.
The process would have begun with the negotiation of a detailed marriage contract, or *maritagium*, outlining the dower lands for the bride and the disposition of her inheritance. The union itself would likely have been formalised *per verba de praesenti* — a vow exchanged in the present tense at the church door, in the presence of witnesses and a priest, which was legally binding. This public declaration was followed by a Nuptial Mass within the church, perhaps Lincoln’s magnificent cathedral.
Following the sacred rites, the ceremonial 'livery of seisin' would have taken place, a symbolic act where the rights and responsibilities for the estates were formally handed over. The subsequent feasting was a critical political instrument, an occasion for the respective families' knights, tenants, and retainers to exchange allegiances and affirm the new power structure. Such an event was a powerful statement of dynastic consolidation, broadcast through ritual, law, and celebration.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
In an age when heraldry served as a visual language of power and identity, a noble marriage was immediately represented through the marshalling of arms. Upon her marriage to the Earl of Lincoln, the armorial bearings of Baroness Margaret would have been joined with his, a clear and public declaration of their dynastic union. The practice for an heraldic heiress was impalement: the division of a single shield, with the husband's arms displayed in the dexter half (the viewer's left) and the wife's in the sinister half (the viewer's right).
The Earl of Lincoln’s magnificent arms were: *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. The plain English translation reveals its symbolism: a purple lion rearing on a field of gold. In the grammar of heraldry, Or (gold) signifies generosity and wisdom; the lion has long been an emblem of courage and royalty; and Purpure (purple), a rare and noble tincture, represents royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice.
This potent imagery powerfully complemented the principles embodied in the Barony of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The purple lion, a symbol of noble courage, joined with the inheritance of Margaret, whose actions demonstrated the fortitude required to secure her Barony’s future. The public display of these joined arms on seals, banners, and property was an unequivocal statement of a new, formidable political entity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The strategic foresight shown by the eighth Baroness in securing the future of the Brattleby domain finds a modern echo in the philanthropic mission of the current House. The historic duty of a baron—to protect and nurture the community under their charge—has evolved. In the 21st century, this principle of *noblesse oblige* has been interpreted as a commitment to support vulnerable communities, both in Britain and beyond.
This philosophy is the guiding force behind the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s premier white-tie philanthropic gala held in London. This contemporary focus on charity is viewed by the House as the modern expression of the same duty of care that motivated Margaret Longespée. Her aim was to provide security and opportunity through alliance; today, the House uses its position and convening power to do so through philanthropy.
The chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation that provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma or profound loss. Its selection reflects the House’s belief that providing security for the next generation, especially its most vulnerable members, is a fundamental responsibility. It is a direct translation of historical duty into modern, impactful action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented upon the enduring lessons of her predecessor’s life.
> “The story of Baroness Margaret is a powerful reminder that stewardship is an active, often difficult, responsibility. Her decision secured Brattleby’s place in the national consciousness, demonstrating a strategic wisdom that transcends centuries. For those of us who inherit such a legacy, her life is an instruction in the necessity of foresight and courage. It is a history we have a solemn duty to understand, honour, and learn from.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the confluence of long-term strategy and personal principle inherent in the union.
> “The alliance with the Earldom of Lincoln was a masterstroke of dynastic strategy. It speaks to the idea that true and lasting success—*Vincere Est Vivere*—is not found in momentary gain, but in creating enduring strength through wise partnership. It is a lesson in leadership that remains profoundly relevant today, reminding us that the strongest positions are built on mutual respect and shared purpose.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of the eighth Baroness and her union with the Earl of Lincoln is a cornerstone of the Brattleby heritage that the current House is committed to preserving and promoting. Today, this commitment to principled action extends beyond the borders of Lincolnshire, informing, *inter alia*, the mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This educational academy is dedicated to cultivating the disciplines of modern leadership, diplomatic protocol, and cultural literacy, grounded in an appreciation for historical context.
The direct lineage of the Barony of Brattleby has, through its nine-century history, passed through several of the most notable figures in English history. These include Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln; Henry of Grosmont, the great 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, progenitor of a royal dynasty.
The current House, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, continues this near-thousand-year-old story of service and stewardship. The continuity of this ancient trust is secured for the next generation in the person of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 14th Baron of Brattleby in succession.
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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 modern expression of a nine-century-old legacy. Its mission balances the preservation of its ancient English heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. The House actively supports charitable organisations, with a particular focus on the welfare of vulnerable children, through its annual philanthropic initiatives, including the Winter Banquet. Through The Brattleby Club, it promotes the enduring values of etiquette and principled leadership for a new generation. The House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in all its public and private endeavours, ensuring this ancient barony remains purposeful in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman tenant-in-chief, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; the celebrated knight Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV. The title’s legitimacy and the succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile were 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 to the 12th Baroness is formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com