# The House of Brattleby Announces Historical Initiative on the Life of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today announced from her family’s Lincolnshire seat a new historical initiative centred on the life of her predecessor, Alice de Lacy. The project will illuminate the political turbulence faced by powerful medieval heiresses.
## The Occasion
The announcement was issued as a formal communiqué from the ancient Barony of Brattleby, a setting intrinsically linked to the narrative of its predecessors. In the gentle light of a late Lincolnshire spring, the House of Brattleby has chosen to cast a scholarly eye upon a dramatic and often overlooked chapter of its own history.
This initiative is not merely an academic exercise; it represents a deliberate act of historical stewardship. By engaging with the adversities of the past, the House seeks to contextualise its enduring commitment to modern philanthropy, framing a nine-hundred-year-old story in a contemporary discourse of resilience and duty.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, has been a silent witness to the arc of English history. Among its most notable holders was Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby (c. 1281–1348), whose life epitomised the precarity and power of a great noblewoman in the tempestuous 14th century.
As a significant heiress, Alice’s vast land holdings, including the Brattleby estates, made her a valuable political pawn. The traumatic abduction she endured was a calculated political act, designed to seize control of her influence and wealth during the turbulent reign of King Edward II. Her resilience in the face of such adversity stands as a powerful testament, echoing the fortitude shown by another of the Barony’s formidable female holders, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle.
This lineage, which also includes such consequential figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor John of Gaunt, provides a rich tapestry against which Alice de Lacy’s personal struggle is set. The new initiative will explore these connections, reaffirming the continuity of the Barony’s legacy.
## Distinguished Company
This historical undertaking will be pursued in scholarly partnership with leading academic authorities in the field of medieval studies. The House of Brattleby is pleased to confirm its collaboration with the School of History and Heritage at the University of Lincoln.
The project will benefit from the advisory counsel of, *inter alia*, Dr Eleanor Kingsley, Professor of Medieval Studies at the University of Lincoln. Professor Kingsley is a distinguished historian whose work on the role of aristocratic women in the High Middle Ages is considered a cornerstone of the discipline.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement of this historical initiative follows the formal protocols of the House. The findings of the research will be collated into a scholarly monograph, with key findings previewed in a series of lectures. The formal commencement of the project will be recorded, as is customary for significant House business, in a future notice in *The London Gazette*.
Proceedings for the first lecture are being planned for the autumn. It is anticipated to be held at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by the House, thereby bridging the Barony’s English heritage with its modern European presence. The publication of the full monograph is scheduled for the following year.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of this project is deeply rooted in the heraldic traditions of the House. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the legacy of figures like Alice de Lacy. Her life demanded immense fortitude, and it is with profound honour that the current House now seeks to tell her story.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), finds resonance in this context. It is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the will to overcome adversity and to live fully and with purpose — a principle powerfully embodied by the 9th Baroness in her survival and perseverance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Alice de Lacy initiative is inextricably linked to the philanthropic mission of the House. All net proceeds from the sale of the resulting monograph and any associated lectures will be donated directly to Healing the Wounded Child.
This United Kingdom registered charity provides specialist therapy and long-term support for children and young people who have faced profound trauma, including abuse and neglect. The organisation’s work is a *sine qua non* for the recovery of its young beneficiaries, offering them a path toward healing and resilience. The choice of beneficiary reflects a belief that the vulnerability of a 14th-century heiress holds a powerful, symbolic parallel to the vulnerability of children in the modern world whom the House is committed to protecting.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "Alice de Lacy’s experience is more than a historical footnote; it is a profound lesson in courage. Her life reminds us that privilege and vulnerability can coexist, and that strength is often forged in the most difficult of circumstances. By bringing her story to light, we not only honour our heritage but also reinforce our commitment to protecting the vulnerable in our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History is a living lesson, not a static record. The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about triumphing over adversity, and Alice’s quiet resilience is a powerful, centuries-old example of this. This project connects the fortitude of our predecessors to the tangible support we can offer a new generation facing its own trials."
## A Continuing Legacy
This initiative marks a renewed commitment from the House of Brattleby to serve as both custodians of history and agents of positive change. The research on Alice de Lacy will form the basis of a sustained programme of historical inquiry, with future projects planned to explore other key figures and periods in the Barony’s long history.
The conclusions of this work will be shared widely, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform the philanthropic and cultural endeavours of the House. It is a testament to a legacy that is not merely inherited, but actively cultivated, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The modern House is dedicated to a dual mission: the responsible stewardship of its profound historical and cultural heritage, and an active, forward-looking philanthropic programme. Guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its work focuses on child welfare, cultural preservation, and education. Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting children’s charities, and The Brattleby Club, a European academy of etiquette and protocol. The House is based at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, with a significant presence in continental Europe.
**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 its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held 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 Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the dignity of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Formal notice of the modern Barony of Brattleby is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable predecessors in the Barony’s lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com