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26th Sept 2025: Henry de Lacy Earl of Lincoln

26/9/2025

Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, was the greatest and last of the de Lacy baronial family. Born in 1249, he became the 8th Baron of Pontefract, the 9th Baron of Halton, the 9th Lord of Bowland, the 3rd Earl of Lincoln, and the 1st Lord of Denbigh (in 1282). A close friend and confidant of King Edward I., Henry died in 1311 and was interred in the first St. Paul's Cathedral following a state funeral. His shield is also displayed today at Westminster Abbey, recognising his services to England.
A sad ending for a man whose family lineage also traced back to the first Baron Walter de Lacy, the brother of Ilbert de Lacy, Lord of Pontefract. Both brothers fought together at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The year 1311 marked the end of the era of the de Lacy Barons, but not the end of the de Lacy family.
The Henry de Lacy shield below hangs in Westminster Abby

21st Sept 2025: Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Ulster declares war!

21/9/2025

In 1207, In 1207, war broke out between Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Ulster and the new justiciar (the King’s Regent). King John was forced to make his second journey to Ireland. He first expelled Walter de Lacy, Lord of Meath. Hugh, fearing for his life, fled to Scotland. From where he took part in the wars in France. Only to return to Ireland in 1221 to ally himself with the O’Neill family, once Kings of Northern Ireland and still antagonists of the English. Nothing stays the same for the de Lacy family in Ireland for long. With the backing of his Irish friends, the O’Neills, and the knights and foot soldiers who had joined him from his brother's Meath Estates, Hugh de Lacy raised an army. In 1223, they marched toward the poorly fortified Dublin City.
Meanwhile, King John appointed Henry, the Bishop of London, realising that Dublin's defences would not be ready until the following summer. Unable to assist Dublin himself, King John called upon Hugh to abandon his campaign. In exchange, he restored to Hugh de Lacy the title of Earl of Ulster along with all the associated lands and estates.
The following year, Hugh resumed his loyal service to the king. Throughout the years, Hugh had developed a keen understanding of Irish affairs and was summoned to England on multiple occasions to provide advice on these matters. King John restored to Hugh de Lacy the Title of Earl of Ulster and all the lands and estates that went with it. In the following year, Hugh reverted to serving the king loyally.the new justiciar (the King’s Regent). King John was forced to make his second journey to Ireland. He first expelled Walter de Lacy, Lord of Meath. Hugh, fearing for his life, fled to Scotland. From where he took part in the wars in France. Only to return to Ireland in 1221 to ally himself with the O’Neill family, once Kings of Northern Ireland and still antagonists of the English. Nothing stays the same for the de Lacy family in Ireland for long. With the backing of his Irish friends, the O’Neills, and the knights and foot soldiers who had joined him from his brother's Meath Estates, Hugh de Lacy raised an army. In 1223, they marched toward the poorly fortified Dublin City.
Meanwhile, King John appointed Henry, the Bishop of London, realising that Dublin's defences would not be ready until the following summer. Unable to assist Dublin himself, King John called upon Hugh to abandon his campaign. In exchange, he restored to Hugh de Lacy the title of Earl of Ulster along with all the associated lands and estates.
The following year, Hugh resumed his loyal service to the king. Throughout the years, Hugh had developed a keen understanding of Irish affairs and was summoned to England on multiple occasions to provide advice on these matters. King John restored to Hugh de Lacy the Title of Earl of Ulster and all the lands and estates that went with it. In the following year, Hugh reverted to serving the king loyally.

Sept 16th 2025: The Normandy invasion fleet 1066.

16/9/2025

William IV. The Duke of Normandy, a fourth-generation descendant of Viking leader Rollo, called upon Hugh de Lacy, Under Lord of Lasse in the Normandy province of Calvados, to send his two sons, Ilbert and Walter, on missions for the Duke. The Duke excused Lord Hugh, now in his mid-40s, but directed Walter and his eldest son Roger to ride to all parts of Normandy, rallying all noblemen and Knights to gather ready for war against England. He charged Ilbert de Lacy, a young Knight already known for his negotiating talents, to amass supplies and support from noble estates throughout Normandy and Brittany. He was allowed to promise those he persuaded that they would be granted new lands once they conquered England, and Duke William gained the crown that he believed belonged to him. Walter and Ilbert de Lacy played a crucial role in helping prepare for the coming war with England.

11th Sept: 1210, Nicholas de Lacy was born in Bruree Co Limerick

11/9/2025

In 1210, Nicholas de Lacy of Bruree was born in Bruree Co Limerick, on the first of the de Lacys of Limerick estate sites. His father is recorded (but not proven) as William Gorm de Lacy. Nicholas married and had a son born c.1225, John de Lacy of Bruree. Nicholas died while still living in his hometown of Bruree. The village is situated on the River Maigue in southwest Limerick County, once held as the alternative capital of the ancient Kings of Munster, then known as Du’n Eochair Maigue, or the Fortress on the brink of the Maigue. Standing on higher ground overlooking Bruree village, the medieval ivy-clad Bruree Castle, also referred to as Ballynoe Castle, was reputedly built by the Knights Templar. In the 1400s, the castle was seized from the de Lacy family during the Cromwell confiscations. The local graveyard now surrounds the castle. Bruree became the first of the enclaves of the de Lacy family’s presence in Limerick. They have been living and growing there since the 1200s. The de Lacy family remained associated with Bruree for the next 400 years, until the 1650s, and other de Lacy castles emerged along the banks of the Maigue near Bruree. In modern times, Bruree was the childhood home of the former President of Ireland. Éamon de Valera’s mother, De Valera, attended school in the village. Another son of Bruree was Walter de Lacy-Bellingarry of Baltimore, USA, Author of “The Roll of the House of de Lacy, published in 1928 (now out of print) . Walter claimed his ancestor as Otho de Lacy of Bruree, Limerick.

Sept 6th 2025: Pontefract Fair Sept 6th A hugh success!

6/9/2025

By the sixth day, the response to the Pontefract market had been enormous. Ironmongers, Blacksmiths, Basketmakers, and many other merchants came to sell their services or wares. Many others had requested an opportunity to trade at the fair. Many had seen rich pickings from a large crowd each day. All had first purchased a licence. The response far exceeded Henry’s expectations. People came from all the invited counties. Pontefract and the surrounding villages were packed. Every available bed space had been sold for a reasonably high price. The Inns were fully engaged in serving food and drink. Realising they would not cope, Henry sold further licences to others to set up stalls, roast meats, ale, bread, and cheese. Many lovely young maidens were serving much more than food and ale. The street entertainers, who usually went from castle to castle, paid Henry for their licences and made rich pickings from street collections. Some traders had done so well that they had to hire guards to escort their carts back home.
Henry de Lacy had been busy at the Castle with other Lords and wealthy merchants carrying out an auction for selected mining rights licences. The king later fined Henry nine pounds eleven shillings for selling these permits without permission. Henry was happy to pay, as the sales of these alone amounted to hundreds of pounds.
Every activity of the fair first required a paid license. There is no record of the actual income that went to the coffers of Henry de Lacy, but it was considerable. Had Henry de Lacy and his Pontefract Fair held the forerunner of all the County Shows that are still held today?

Sept 1st 1925~ Pontefract Fair 1181 The Feast of St Giles

2/9/2025

Baron Henry de Lacy, the 4th Lord of Pontefract, petitioned King Henry II for a license to hold a six-day market and fair at Pontefract starting on the feast day of St Giles, September 1st, 1181. Henry was as good at negotiating as he was with a sword. He believed there had to be a better way to grow wealth than just taking it from someone else. Until that time, wealth only came through plunder or taxation. Both of which destroyed the commoner. One or even two-day fairs had become familiar, but Henry de Lacy was thinking much more significantly; holding a fair or market was not unknown even in 1171. Most were held for one day or, in major towns such as York, occasionally for two days. They were relatively local events.
The 1st Pontefract Fair was to take place over six days. Properly planned, the fair would bring significant money to the honour of Pontefract by granting licenses and concessions to the Lord of Pontefract. Proclamations were sent to all parts of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire. Henry de Lacy promised sporting contests to the men. Best Archer, Champion Wrestler, etc. Cookery and winemaking competitions for women. For those with reading and writing abilities, there would be the opportunity to be shown how to better themselves in trade and income. The Baron would present prizes to all the winners. Livestock sales would also take place. There would be the opportunity to trade and barter. Henry himself would offer auction licenses within the honour to purchase mining rights in named plots. The honour of Pontefract lay within a mineral-rich area

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