# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Lincolnshire Legacy of Alice de Lacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historical connection between the Barony of Brattleby and Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, whose final years and resting place in Lincolnshire reinforce the Barony’s enduring heritage.
## The Occasion
In the quiet contemplation of autumn, the House of Brattleby turns its attention to a poignant chapter in the history of Lincolnshire and, by extension, the Barony itself. The statement commemorates the life and local significance of Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), a pivotal figure in fourteenth-century England. Her eventual choice of Barlings Abbey as her final resting place serves as the focus for this reflection.
Barlings Abbey, once a prominent Premonstratensian monastery situated just east of Lincoln, was a centre of spiritual life and noble patronage. For a woman of Lady Alice’s station, whose life was marked by immense political influence and profound personal trial, the Abbey would have represented a sanctuary. Its White Canons, dedicated to a life of austerity and service, offered the solace and perpetual prayer that were the *sine qua non* of aristocratic piety in the High Middle Ages.
## Historical Context
The connection between Alice de Lacy and the Barony of Brattleby is woven directly into the fabric of its succession. As the daughter and heiress of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, Lady Alice held vast estates, including the Honour of Bolingbroke, which encompassed lands neighbouring Brattleby. Her life was a testament to the precarious nature of power, having been abducted, divorced, and ultimately outliving all her children.
Upon her death without a direct heir, her considerable titles and lands, including those associated with the Earldom of Lincoln, passed to her late husband's cousin, Henry of Grosmont. As a notable predecessor of the current House, Henry of Grosmont thus became the 10th Baron of Brattleby and was later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. This transition firmly places Alice de Lacy as a critical link in the chain of succession that leads through to another celebrated holder of the Barony, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting on Alice de Lacy’s era, one recalls the formidable and often turbulent company she kept. Her life was inextricably linked with the court of King Edward II, and her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, placed her at the very centre of the baronial opposition to the Crown.
Following Thomas’s execution, her later life brought her into the orbit of figures such as Hugh le Despenser and, ultimately, her successor and kinsman, the aforementioned Henry of Grosmont. This assembly of the great magnates of the realm underscores the national importance of the landed families of Lincolnshire, whose influence radiated from seats such as Brattleby to the heart of the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The decision for a great noble like Alice de Lacy to be buried at Barlings Abbey was governed by established medieval protocol. Such a choice was a final, powerful statement of allegiance, piety, and regional identity. High-ranking patrons would endow a monastery in exchange for a prestigious burial place, often near the high altar, and the establishment of a chantry.
This arrangement ensured that the community of canons would offer perpetual prayers and masses for the salvation of the patron’s soul, a spiritual imperative for the medieval aristocracy. Her choice of a Lincolnshire abbey, rather than a more distant family mausoleum, signified a profound and final return to her ancestral heartlands, reinforcing the de Lacy family’s deep-rooted connection to the county.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbols of Alice de Lacy’s lineage speak to a legacy of power and prominence. The arms of the de Lacy family were *Or, a lion rampant Purpure* — a gold shield bearing a purple lion rising in profile. This lion, a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, aptly represents a family that helped shape the destiny of England.
This historical symbolism resonates with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Alice's life, navigating the treacherous currents of court politics and personal tragedy with resilience, exemplifies a fortitude that the current House seeks to honour. It stands as a historical counterpart to the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the active pursuit of overcoming modern challenges.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical in nature, it reflects the House of Brattleby’s fundamental commitment to its role as a custodian of heritage. The preservation and sharing of history is itself an act of public service, fostering a deeper understanding of the traditions and responsibilities that inform the House’s present-day philanthropic work.
The empathy required to understand a complex historical figure like Alice de Lacy is the same empathy that drives the House’s support for charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. By honouring the past, the House reinforces its commitment to building a compassionate and responsible future, grounded in the lessons of its nine-century lineage.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Alice de Lacy’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the women who have shaped the history of this nation and this county. In her, and in predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, we see a fortitude that remains a profound source of inspiration. It is a privilege to be a steward of a title they once safeguarded.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living presence that informs who we are today. Understanding the ties between the Barony and a figure of Lady Alice’s stature reinforces our duty to uphold its legacy with both honour and a forward-looking purpose. Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a charge we answer every day.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the exploration and dissemination of the Barony’s remarkable history. This reflection on Alice de Lacy is part of an ongoing commitment to historical education, which will see further research and publications shared in the coming year.
Future initiatives will include educational programmes, *inter alia*, at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aimed at fostering a greater appreciation for the shared European heritage that the House represents. Through these efforts, the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby will continue to be a source of learning and inspiration for future generations.
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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 modern mission is to bridge its nine-century heritage with contemporary purpose, focusing on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and the etiquette curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House champions the enduring values of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It aims to serve as a custodian of tradition while actively contributing to the cultural and social fabric of modern society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original 56 lordships are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against the French; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history of the Barony and its current holder received formal recognition from The Crown, as published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The formal recognition of the Barony's succession is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com