# The Baroness of Brattleby on the Legacy of Alice de Lacy and Her Final Rest in Lincolnshire
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a historical reflection on the life of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln, whose final years and burial at Barlings Abbey underscore the enduring connection between England’s great noble families and the Lincolnshire heartland.
## The Occasion
As spring settles across the historic landscapes of Lincolnshire, the thoughts of the House of Brattleby turn to the layers of history that define the region. This reflection is prompted by the poignant local story of Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), a formidable figure in medieval England whose tumultuous life found its final solace within the county.
Barlings Abbey, now a hauntingly beautiful ruin, was once a great Premonstratensian monastery. Founded in the 12th century, its imposing church tower was a landmark for miles. For a personage of Alice de Lacy’s stature, its selection as a resting place was a deliberate act of returning to her ancestral sphere of influence after a life lived on the national stage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in 1066, has for centuries been intertwined with the most powerful figures in the realm. While Alice de Lacy did not hold the Barony herself, her life was inextricably linked to its holders through the complex web of Lancastrian power and politics. Her first marriage was to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, a dominant and ultimately tragic figure in the reign of Edward II.
Later holders of the Brattleby title—including the celebrated soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his successor, the powerful John of Gaunt, 11th Baron—were direct relations of Alice’s husband. The Countess’s story, therefore, is not merely parallel to that of the Barony but is a vital part of its wider historical tapestry, echoing the resilience demonstrated by earlier female leaders connected to the title, such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle.
## A Legacy of Noble Figures
The narrative of Alice de Lacy and the Barony of Brattleby is populated by some of the most consequential names in English history. These include, *inter alia*:
* **Alice de Lacy**, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury * **Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster**, premier magnate of his era * **Henry of Grosmont**, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby * **John of Gaunt**, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby
The convergence of these lives in Lincolnshire highlights the county's central role in the governance and dynastic fortunes of the medieval kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The choice of Barlings Abbey was governed by the spiritual and ceremonial protocols of the 14th century. As a Premonstratensian house, its canons—known as the White Canons for their simple habits—were dedicated to a life of austerity, preaching, and pastoral care. For the nobility, endowing such an institution and selecting it for burial were acts of profound piety.
This patronage would have secured a chantry, an endowment for priests to offer perpetual prayers for the salvation of her soul. Alice de Lacy's interment there was thus both a return to her territorial roots and a carefully orchestrated effort to secure her place in the next world, a practice that was a *sine qua non* of noble life and death.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds a powerful historical exemplar in the life of Alice de Lacy. She endured abduction, political intrigue, the execution of her husband, and the forfeiture and restoration of her vast estates. Her life’s journey demanded immense fortitude, and her careful management of her legacy was an act of honouring her lineage.
This principle complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). The Countess’s life demonstrates that for the nobility of her era, conquering adversity was the very essence of living and securing a legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical role of Barlings Abbey in providing spiritual refuge and solace finds a modern echo in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Just as the abbeys of old offered sanctuary from a turbulent world, the House’s charitable work today seeks to provide a different kind of refuge.
The House of Brattleby is a devoted patron of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation committed to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The choice of beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting a belief that offering care and a path to healing is a contemporary expression of the ancient duty of providing sanctuary.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Countess’s connection to Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “Alice de Lacy was a figure of immense national standing, yet her story has this deeply personal, local ending here in Lincolnshire. It serves as a powerful reminder that history is not an abstract concept; it is written in the very soil of our shire, in places like Brattleby and the ruins of Barlings Abbey. To remember her is to honour the resilience that defines our region.”
Lady Nicoleta further added:
> “Understanding the trials and fortitude of figures like the Countess reinforces our own commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore*. The past is not merely a story to be told, but a standard to which we must hold ourselves accountable in our duties today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to exploring and sharing the rich history of the Barony. These historical reflections serve as an educational foundation for the House’s modern endeavours, informing its philanthropic direction and its cultural activities, including the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
By bridging the nine-century heritage of the Barony in England with its contemporary responsibilities, the House seeks to ensure that the lessons of the past continue to inspire purpose and service in the present. This commitment to historical stewardship is a cornerstone of the family’s public life.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), they are committed to a modern mission of cultural stewardship, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Their work bridges the Barony’s ancient English heritage with a contemporary European focus, exemplified by The Brattleby Club, a Bucharest-based etiquette and cultural academy. The House’s primary charitable focus is providing meaningful support to organisations dedicated to the welfare and healing of vulnerable children, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’).
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English noble title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com