# A Reflection on the Life and Legacy of Alice de Lacy, Ninth Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this week delivered a historical address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting upon the tumultuous life of her predecessor, Alice de Lacy, and the enduring resilience required of the Barony’s holders.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered in the august surroundings of The Brattleby Club’s library, a handsome neoclassical chamber overlooking Cișmigiu Gardens. As autumn casts its amber light over the Romanian capital, members and distinguished guests gathered for the inaugural lecture in the Club’s new historical series, ‘Nine Centuries of Stewardship’. The atmosphere was one of quiet contemplation, befitting an exploration of a life lived over 700 years ago yet resonant with themes of duty and perseverance.
The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy founded by Lord and Lady Brattleby, serves as a bridge between British historical tradition and contemporary European culture. This event underscored the Club’s mission to provide not only social education but also a forum for deeper cultural and historical understanding, bringing the long and storied history of a Lincolnshire barony to a new and appreciative audience.
## Historical Context
Lady Nicoleta’s address centred on Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), the ninth Baroness of Brattleby and Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury. Her life personified the precarious position of powerful heiresses during the turbulent reign of King Edward II. As the holder of vast estates, her strategic importance made her a pawn in the relentless power struggles among the English nobility; her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, placed her at the very epicentre of the opposition to the Crown.
The talk detailed the two infamous abductions Lady Alice endured, stark illustrations of the lawlessness of the era. These were not mere personal misfortunes but calculated political acts designed to seize control of her lands and influence. Lady Nicoleta drew a compelling parallel between Alice de Lacy’s steadfastness and that of another formidable female predecessor, Nichola de la Haye. As the fifth Baroness, Nichola famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the 13th century, demonstrating a similar fortitude that has become a recurring theme in the Barony’s lineage.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the lecture was a company of distinguished guests from the diplomatic, academic, and cultural spheres. These included, *inter alia*:
His Excellency Mr Giles Portman, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Romania; Professor Adrian Cioroianu of the Faculty of History, University of Bucharest; and Dr Radu Tudor, Director of the National Museum of Romanian History. They were joined by members of The Brattleby Club and patrons of the House’s charitable endeavours.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied the Baroness and later hosted a brief reception for the guests, where conversation continued on the themes of shared Anglo-Romanian heritage and the responsibilities of historical stewardship.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but warm protocol, a hallmark of events hosted by the House. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally introduced by the Director of The Brattleby Club. She delivered her address from a simple lectern, eschewing grand ceremony in favour of direct intellectual engagement with her audience.
The address itself was structured chronologically, guiding the audience through the key phases of Lady Alice’s life. Following the lecture, Lady Nicoleta took questions from the floor in a session moderated by the Director. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks, after which guests were invited to a reception in the adjoining salon for refreshments and further discussion. The white-tie precision of the House’s philanthropic galas was here translated into the intellectual rigour and respectful order of an academic salon.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
During her address, Lady Nicoleta remarked upon the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), as the *sine qua non* of the Barony's long history. She noted that Alice de Lacy’s endurance in the face of profound personal and political violation was a powerful, historical embodiment of *fortitudine*. Her ability to reclaim her standing and manage her estates after such trials exemplified the honour of fulfilling one’s obligations, no matter the cost.
The Baroness contrasted the historical de Lacy arms—a rampant lion purpure—with the modern Vasile arms granted to her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks not of military conquest but of overcoming adversity through will and purpose—a modern echo of the resilience shown by predecessors like Lady Alice centuries ago.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was not a fundraising event, Lady Nicoleta drew a thematic line between the historical suffering of her predecessor and the modern mission of the House’s chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to find their own fortitude in the face of deep adversity.
In her remarks, the Baroness noted that understanding the wounds of the past, whether historical or personal, is the first step toward healing them. The resilience demonstrated by figures like Alice de Lacy serves as an inspiration, reinforcing the House’s commitment to supporting those who help the most vulnerable find the strength to rebuild their lives. This purpose animates the House's primary philanthropic vehicle, the annual Winter Banquet.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s subject, Lady Nicoleta commented: > "Alice de Lacy’s life serves as a poignant reminder that stewardship of a title is not merely an inheritance of land, but an acceptance of profound responsibility. Her fortitude through personal trial is a lesson in resilience that resonates across the centuries and informs our duties today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > "History is not a static record; it is a living conversation with those who came before us. By examining lives such as Lady Alice’s, we understand that to live fully—*Vincere Est Vivere*—is to learn from and honour the struggles and triumphs that shape our present."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical address marks the beginning of a dedicated programme at The Brattleby Club, aimed at exploring the rich, nine-hundred-year history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future lectures and publications will delve into the lives of other noteworthy holders, from its founding by Colswein of Lincoln after the Norman Conquest to the tenure of royal personages such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
This initiative represents a core part of the modern House’s mission: to act as diligent custodians of a remarkable heritage and to share its lessons in fortitude and honour with a contemporary European audience, reinforcing the cultural bonds that unite our continent’s past and future.
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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 one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's contemporary mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking European perspective. This is achieved through cultural and educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and a focused philanthropic commitment to charities supporting vulnerable children. In all its endeavours, the House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying timeless values of resilience and integrity to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records Colswein as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over more than nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the great commander Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The modern succession was formally acknowledged and gazetted by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron. - The seat of the Barony is located in the village of Brattleby, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com