# The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Legacy of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the life of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby. This initiative, directed by the current Baroness, highlights a pivotal figure whose tenure profoundly shaped the barony’s nine-century history.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has commenced a series of historical papers intended to illuminate the lives of its most significant predecessors. This inaugural reflection, released in the crisp air of autumn, focuses on the remarkable life of Alice de Lacy, a formidable heiress of the 14th century.
The initiative serves as a cornerstone of the modern House’s commitment to historical stewardship. It seeks to draw a direct line from the present day to a past populated by figures whose fortitude and honour resonate through the ages, ensuring their contributions are not merely remembered but understood.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy (c. 1281–1348) inherited the Barony of Brattleby as part of a vast estate upon the death of her father, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. As one of the wealthiest heiresses in England, her life was inextricably linked to the high-stakes politics of the era, most notably during the turbulent reign of King Edward II.
Her inheritance positioned the Barony of Brattleby at the centre of national power struggles. The barony, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, had a history of powerful castellans, including the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Alice’s tenure continued this tradition of significance, her lands a coveted prize in the complex feudal landscape. Through her, the barony would eventually pass to future luminaries, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
During her lifetime, the 9th Baroness moved in the most influential circles of the realm, her status defined by her proximity to the Crown and its chief magnates. The court of her time was dominated by powerful and often conflicting personalities.
Among those central to her story were His Majesty King Edward II; her first husband, His Royal Highness Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, a cousin of the King and leader of the baronial opposition; and her second husband, Sir Eubulus le Strange. Her life was also dramatically impacted by the political machinations of figures such as Sir Hugh le Despenser the Younger, the King’s controversial favourite, whose ambitions directly threatened her own security and estates.
## Ceremonial Protocol
As an heiress succeeding *suo jure*—in her own right—Alice de Lacy’s inheritance followed strict medieval protocols. Upon her father’s death in 1311, the transfer of titles and lands, including the Barony of Brattleby, required formal homage to be paid to the King. This ceremony was a *sine qua non* of feudal law, a public act of fealty that secured her legal tenure.
Her marriage to Thomas of Lancaster, a prince of the blood, was itself a matter of statecraft, arranged to consolidate the power of two of England’s greatest families. The legal instruments governing such unions were extraordinarily complex, designed to preserve lineage and control the flow of property across generations. Even after her husband’s execution for treason, Alice’s own titles and a portion of her lands were eventually restored, a testament to her enduring personal status.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Alice de Lacy was lived beneath a canopy of rich heraldic symbolism. The arms of her paternal family, de Lacy, were a striking design of *quarterly or and gules, a bend sable*, representing a lineage of immense power in the Welsh Marches and the north. Upon her marriage, these arms were impaled with those of her husband, Thomas of Lancaster, a variation of the royal arms of England.
This joining of arms symbolised more than a marriage; it was a visual declaration of a political and dynastic alliance. The resilience Alice demonstrated throughout a life of upheaval speaks directly to the spirit of the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her struggles to survive and preserve her inheritance embody the ethos of a second motto associated with the House, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of *noblesse oblige*, the duty of the privileged to act with generosity and honour, was a powerful force in the medieval world. Alice de Lacy, in keeping with the conventions of her time, was a notable benefactress of the Church, making grants to religious houses, *inter alia*, the Gilbertine priory of St. Katherine without Lincoln and the Cistercian Barlings Abbey.
This long-standing tradition of charitable duty is proudly continued by the Noble House of Brattleby today. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, stands as a modern expression of this commitment. Its beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, was chosen for its vital work in providing therapeutic care to children who have suffered trauma, reflecting a nine-century-old imperative to serve the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 9th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Alice de Lacy’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. She navigated a world of immense danger with a courage that we, centuries later, can only admire. In her life, we see not just a historical figure, but the embodiment of the fortitude that has sustained this barony for nearly a millennium.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “To understand our present responsibilities, we must first understand our past. Alice de Lacy’s tenure reminds us that stewardship is a long and often challenging path. It is our duty to honour those who walked it before us by preserving their legacy for the future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical paper on Alice de Lacy is the first in an ongoing programme of research and publication by the Noble House of Brattleby. Future work will explore other key figures from the barony's history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye and the great royal duke, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby.
Through this work, the House seeks to fulfil its commitment to education and historical preservation, ensuring that the rich tapestry of its lineage remains vibrant and accessible. These stories serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring connection between the past, the present, and the generations yet to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a profound nine-century legacy. The House champions a modern mission that blends historical preservation with active engagement in cultural and philanthropic spheres. Its initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant charitable gala, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to serving the community, promoting cultural education, and upholding the traditions of its ancient title with relevance and purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman lordship in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships, with Brattleby as his seat. Over nine centuries, the barony has passed through some of England’s most distinguished noble and royal lines. Notable predecessors include the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby are recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where Colswein of Lincoln is named as the lord of Brattleby (*Brotelbi*). - Past holders of the barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century, who held the title as the 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