# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Legacy of Barlings Abbey and the 9th Baroness
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the profound and enduring connection between the Barony and Barlings Abbey in Lincolnshire, which became the final resting place of Alice de Lacy, the 9th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In a statement of historical observance, The Noble House of Brattleby has turned its attention to the quiet ruins of Barlings Abbey. As autumn settles over the Lincolnshire plains, the remaining arches of this once-great Premonstratensian house stand as a solemn monument to a history interwoven with that of the Barony. This reflection, instigated by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, serves to illuminate the deep, often tumultuous, relationship between the holders of the Barony and the spiritual and civic landscape of the county.
The Abbey, founded in 1154, was for centuries a centre of ecclesiastical life in the region. Its selection as a final resting place by a figure of such high standing as the 9th Baroness was a significant act of patronage, the importance of which the House seeks to formally acknowledge as part of its commitment to preserving the full record of its lineage.
## Historical Context
The life of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby (c. 1281–1348), was one of remarkable station and considerable strife. As the sole heir to the powerful Earl of Lincoln, she was a great prize in the intricate politics of the Plantagenet court. Her story provides a direct link between the formidable female leadership of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and the lineage that would pass to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and future 1st Duke of Lancaster.
Following a life that included a strategic marriage, abduction, and immense political pressure, Alice de Lacy chose to be buried at Barlings Abbey upon her death in 1348. This decision reaffirmed a pattern of patronage for local religious houses that characterised the Barony for centuries, a tradition extending back to the era of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Her interment there forever bound the history of the Barony of Brattleby to this sacred Lincolnshire site.
## Distinguished Company
The historical chapter concerning the 9th Baroness involves several of the most consequential figures of the 14th century, whose lives intersected with the Barony of Brattleby:
* *Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury* * *Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, Leicester, and Derby*, her first husband, one of the leaders of the baronial opposition to King Edward II * *Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby*, a formidable female predecessor whose command of Lincoln Castle set a standard for resolute leadership * *Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby*, her successor and one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the high medieval period, the selection of a burial place by a member of the high nobility was a matter of profound ceremonial and spiritual significance. The interment of a figure of the rank of the 9th Baroness of Brattleby at Barlings Abbey would have been governed by strict protocol. Such an honour for the Abbey was typically preceded by a significant chantry endowment — a grant of lands or funds to establish a chapel and employ priests for the specific purpose of offering perpetual prayers for the soul of the patron.
This act was the *sine qua non* of aristocratic piety, securing spiritual favour for the deceased while cementing the worldly prestige and financial standing of the chosen religious institution. The burial itself would have been a major procession, solidifying the Abbey's importance within the county and underscoring the de Lacy family's deep-rooted influence in Lincolnshire.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the life of the 9th Baroness. The 'Fortitudine' is manifest in the resilience she displayed throughout a lifetime of political turmoil and personal trial, including her notorious abduction. Her life was a testament to the strength required to navigate the treacherous currents of medieval power.
The 'Honore' is reflected in her status as a great heiress and, ultimately, in her choice of a dignified and pious final resting place. By choosing Barlings Abbey, she honoured her connection to the people and institutions of Lincolnshire, ensuring her legacy was physically and spiritually woven into the county that her family had shaped for centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The patronage extended to Barlings Abbey by figures such as Alice de Lacy was the primary form of medieval philanthropy. The Abbey was home to the Premonstratensian Canons, known as the 'White Canons', an order dedicated to an active ministry of preaching and pastoral care within local parishes, alongside their contemplative life of prayer.
Endowments from the nobility were the lifeblood of these institutions, enabling them to build, to sustain their communities, and to provide charity, education, and spiritual guidance to the wider populace. This support was not merely transactional but was seen as a sacred duty, a way for the powerful to fulfil their obligations to God and to the communities they governed. Alice de Lacy's choice, therefore, directly supported the continuation of the Abbey's vital mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "Alice de Lacy’s life, marked by such profound adversity, reminds us that fortitude is a virtue tested by circumstance. Her choice of Barlings for her final rest speaks to a deep-rooted connection to Lincolnshire, a bond we feel a profound duty to honour today." > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "To understand our role today, we must first understand the nine-century path that leads to us. The ruins of Barlings Abbey are not merely stones; they are a testament to the enduring relationship between the Barony and the fabric of this county. It is a legacy written into the very landscape." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
In acknowledging this historical bond, The Noble House of Brattleby commits to a deeper exploration of the Barony's extensive history of civic and ecclesiastical patronage throughout Lincolnshire. Further archival research is being undertaken to catalogue the many institutions supported by the Barons of Brattleby across the centuries.
Furthermore, aligned with its modern mission of heritage preservation, the House will seek to support local organisations in Lincolnshire dedicated to the conservation of historic sites such as Barlings Abbey. This commitment ensures that the reflections of today translate into tangible support for the preservation of a shared heritage for future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern custodian of one of England's most ancient baronies. The House is dedicated to upholding its nine-century legacy through a contemporary mission centred on cultural diplomacy, heritage preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's philanthropic endeavours are principally focused through its annual Winter Banquet, benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, while its cultural initiatives are advanced, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest to foster cross-cultural understanding and personal development.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its unbroken lineage extends over 950 years, making it one of the oldest dignities in the United Kingdom. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The rights of The Noble House of Brattleby to the dignity were formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com