# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces a Historical Study on the Life of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a new scholarly initiative to examine the life of Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), a formidable medieval forebear and Lady of Brattleby, focusing upon her resilience following the execution of her husband, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks the commencement of a formal historical reappraisal commissioned by The Noble House of Brattleby. This undertaking seeks to illuminate a pivotal, yet often overlooked, chapter in the Barony’s nine-century history. Timed to foster a deeper connection between the House’s modern responsibilities and its ancient lineage, the study will delve into the political and personal tumult of the early 14th century, a period that profoundly shaped the future of both Lincolnshire and the Crown.
The initiative will be stewarded from the House’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, drawing upon archives and chronicles to reconstruct the life of a woman who navigated profound loss and political intrigue with remarkable tenacity. It represents a commitment to historical curation as a core duty of the Barony’s modern custodians, ensuring its past continues to inform its present.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has borne witness to the full sweep of English history. From Colswein of Lincoln, its first lord as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the title has passed through figures of national importance. It was held by Nichola de la Haye, the esteemed 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels, a direct contrast to the events surrounding Alice de Lacy two centuries later.
Alice’s marriage to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster—a cousin of King Edward II and one of the wealthiest magnates in England—placed her at the nexus of power. The Earl’s leadership of the Lords Ordainers, an aristocratic council seeking to curb royal authority, culminated in a failed rebellion and his capture at the Battle of Boroughbridge. His subsequent execution for treason in 1322 left Alice a widow, her vast inheritance—including the Earldoms of Lincoln and Salisbury—vulnerable to seizure by the King and his favourites. It is her fortitude in the aftermath of this crisis that forms the central inquiry of the study. The Barony later passed through her husband's family to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
To ensure the highest standards of academic rigour, The Noble House of Brattleby has engaged in consultation with leading medieval specialists. The project will benefit from the advisory counsel of, *inter alia*:
* Dr Alistair Finch, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and author of *The Lancastrian Affinity: Power and Patronage, 1300–1350*. * Professor Eleanor Davenport, Chair of Medieval Studies at the University of Lincoln, whose work on aristocratic women’s property rights is considered a foundational text.
Their guidance will be the *sine qua non* for producing a work of lasting historical value. The collaboration underscores the House’s commitment to grounding its heritage projects in peer-reviewed scholarship and open academic dialogue.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dissemination of this historical research will follow a precise protocol. An initial monograph, to be authored under the aegis of the House, will be submitted for peer review before its publication. The findings will then be presented formally at a public lecture hosted by The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and cultural academy in Bucharest, bridging its English heritage with its Continental presence.
Following this, a summary of the research will be accessioned into the Brattleby archives for the benefit of future generations and visiting scholars. This structured approach mirrors the order and deliberation that the House applies to all its official undertakings, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and dignity in its public work.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Alice de Lacy brings the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), into sharp relief. Her perseverance in the face of dispossession and personal danger exemplifies the fortitude required to uphold honour under extreme duress. Her own heraldic device, the de Lacy *lion rampant purpure* (a purple lion standing rampant), symbolised courage and nobility.
This finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Alice de Lacy’s struggle was not one of military conquest but of conquering adversity itself in order to live with her rights and dignity intact. These complementary principles—fortitude, honour, and the will to overcome—are the enduring symbolic pillars of the House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The study of resilience is not merely an academic exercise; it serves a tangible philanthropic purpose. Insights from Alice de Lacy’s life will be used to develop educational materials for the beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma.
By illustrating a historical example of overcoming adversity, the House aims to provide a powerful and inspiring narrative for the young people the charity serves. The project reframes historical study as a source of strength, demonstrating that lessons in fortitude are timeless and universal, connecting a 14th-century countess to the challenges faced by children today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the initiative, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "The story of Alice de Lacy is one of profound resilience. In an era that sought to define women by their male relatives, she navigated immense political and personal tragedy to retain her dignity and her inheritance. Her fortitude is a lesson that resonates across the centuries and remains a source of inspiration for the Barony today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History is not static; it is a living dialogue with those who came before us. By examining the trials of the 14th century, we honour the continuity of this Barony and reaffirm our own commitment to our motto: *Vincere Est Vivere*. Alice de Lacy certainly lived by that creed, overcoming circumstances that would have broken many others."
## A Continuing Legacy
This study of Alice de Lacy is the first in a planned series of historical publications designed to explore the rich tapestry of the Barony’s past. Future work will examine other key figures and events that have defined Brattleby and its place within the history of Lincolnshire and the nation.
The forthcoming monograph will be followed by a symposion in Lincoln to present the findings to a local and academic audience. These efforts represent the solemn duty of stewardship undertaken by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan: to preserve the Barony’s history not as a static relic, but as a source of continuing education and inspiration.
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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 modern stewardship of an ancient title. Its mission is threefold: to preserve and curate its nine-hundred-year heritage; to pursue meaningful philanthropy focused on child welfare through its annual philanthropic initiatives; and to promote cultural and educational exchange via The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to serve as a bridge between history and the present day, using its platform to champion the enduring values of resilience, duty, and community service in both the United Kingdom and Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over the centuries, the Barony has passed through families of significant historical consequence, including those of Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln, and two Princes of the Blood, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the influential John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby are formally recognised in His Majesty's official public record, *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony can be verified in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The first Baron of Brattleby recorded was Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical figures who held the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com