# The Enduring Legacy of Margaret de Lacy, 8th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the life of Margaret de Lacy, 8th Baroness of Brattleby. The statement illuminates her pivotal thirteenth-century marriage, which strategically aligned the Barony with the highest echelons of Plantagenet England.
## The Occasion
In a period of archival review and historical reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to highlight the enduring significance of one of its most influential medieval holders. This examination of the life of Margaret, the 8th Baroness, is not tied to a specific anniversary but arises from the House’s continuing commitment to understanding and articulating its nine-century history. Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, has initiated a series of scholarly papers exploring the roles of her female predecessors, of which this is the first public summary.
The study of Lady Margaret’s tenure offers a profound insight into the role of strategic alliances in consolidating the influence of England's ancient landed families. It serves as a reminder that the Barony’s survival and prestige have often depended upon the foresight and fortitude of its custodians, a principle that continues to guide the House in the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
Margaret de Lacy, suo jure 8th Baroness of Brattleby, became a figure of considerable importance through her marriage to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. This union, in the late thirteenth century, was far more than a personal match; it was a merger of significant dynastic and territorial interests. The Earl of Lincoln was a trusted confidant and military commander for King Edward I, playing a central role in the era’s political and military campaigns, *inter alia*.
By this marriage, the Barony of Brattleby, which had been a notable Lincolnshire holding since the Domesday survey of 1086, was brought into the powerful orbit of the Crown itself. The de Lacy connection ensured that the resources and influence of Brattleby were interwoven with the great affairs of state, amplifying its status far beyond that of a regional lordship. This period solidified the Barony’s foundations, which would later pass to figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
This historical reflection is principally a matter of internal scholarship undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby. However, its findings are being shared with academic partners and historical societies with an interest in the peerage and the history of Lincolnshire, ensuring the Barony's story contributes to the wider academic discourse.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The study of the House's archives follows a strict protocol of conservation and analysis. Medieval charters, pipe rolls, and estate documents pertaining to the tenure of the 8th Baroness are handled with curatorial precision. Each document is examined in a controlled environment to preserve its integrity for future generations, a duty the House regards as a *sine qua non* of its historical custodianship.
The findings from these documents guide the formal historical narrative of the House. Any new interpretation or significant discovery, such as details of the marriage settlement between the Brattleby and de Lacy estates, is formally recorded in the House annals, reinforcing the unbroken chain of documentary evidence that stretches back to the Norman Conquest.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the 8th Baroness. Her life's strategic decisions required immense fortitude, whilst her stewardship of the Barony’s heritage was a clear demonstration of honour. The marriage to the Earl of Lincoln would have been represented heraldically by the impalement of the arms of Brattleby and de Lacy, a potent visual symbol of their united power.
This tradition of symbolic representation continues. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to a modern, dynamic interpretation of the House's ancient duty: to overcome contemporary challenges and ensure the legacy of Brattleby not only survives but thrives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of noblesse oblige, or the duty of the fortunate to serve society, has been a thread throughout the Barony's history. While medieval support took the form of church patronage and local welfare, its modern expression is channelled through focused philanthropy. The ethos of service, as demonstrated by past Barons and Baronesses, inspires the House’s current charitable endeavours.
The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the centrepiece of this commitment. It serves as the primary fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist mental health support to children affected by trauma. The support for this cause is a contemporary realisation of the House's foundational duty to protect and serve the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: >— "Margaret de Lacy’s story is a compelling reminder that the women of this House have never been mere bystanders to history. They have been architects of its future. Her foresight secured the Barony for generations, and that spirit of active stewardship is a legacy I feel very keenly today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: >— "History is not a static record; it is a source of strategic wisdom. The alliance Margaret forged in the thirteenth century demonstrates how vision and partnership can create enduring strength. We apply that same principle today, whether through our cultural initiatives or our philanthropic commitments. The goal, as ever, is to build upon a venerable foundation."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to its dual mission: to preserve its profound historical legacy while engaging actively with the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. The lessons drawn from the tenure of figures like the 8th Baroness directly inform the education of the next generation.
The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being raised with a deep appreciation for this unbroken chain of responsibility. The work of the House continues, both in the careful stewardship of its heritage in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and through its international initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes classical etiquette and cultural diplomacy. *Fortitudine et Honore* remains the guiding principle.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage while championing modern philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s mission, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through the careful stewardship of its historic seat in Lincolnshire, England. Its charitable focus is embodied by the annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, the House extends its cultural mission internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in Bucharest, which fosters cross-cultural understanding and refinement.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the King in the thirteenth century, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical lineage and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern 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 documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists Colswein of Lincoln as its first holder. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com