# The Baroness of Brattleby Commemorates Predecessor at Barlings Abbey
**BRATTLEBY, Lincolnshire, 23 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today led a private service of commemoration at the ruins of Barlings Abbey. The solemn occasion honoured the life and legacy of her predecessor, Alice de Lacy, who found her final resting place there circa 1348.
## The Occasion
Set against the stark beauty of the Lincolnshire Fens, the ruins of Barlings Abbey provided a poignant backdrop for reflection. Once a great house of the Premonstratensian order, its remaining arches stood silhouetted against a crisp autumn sky. The proceedings took place near the footprint of the former high altar, where Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, was interred nearly seven centuries ago.
The contemplative atmosphere was underscored by the season; the ground was carpeted in fallen leaves from ancient yews, and a reverent quietude pervaded the historic site. This visit was a deliberate act of remembrance, connecting the Barony’s present stewardship with its deep and often dramatic past.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy’s retirement to Barlings Abbey marked the final chapter of a life lived at the epicentre of medieval power. As the wife of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, a nephew of King Edward I, she was one of the most powerful women in the kingdom. Her life, however, was marked by tumult, including the execution of her husband for treason and disputes over her vast inheritance.
Her connection to the Barony of Brattleby is woven through the Lancastrian ascendancy. The Barony later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Alice de Lacy, in choosing a local Lincolnshire abbey for her final years, reinforced the deep territorial bonds that have defined the Barony since its establishment in 1066. Her story serves as a powerful precedent for female leadership, echoing that of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
In keeping with the private nature of the commemoration, Lady Nicoleta was accompanied by her immediate family and a select few with a connection to the region’s heritage.
In attendance were: - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby - Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby and heir - The Reverend Dr Alistair Finch, Ecclesiastical Historian and Vicar of Barlings
The small party reflected the personal importance of the occasion, allowing for quiet contemplation away from the public eye.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The service was brief and followed a simple, dignified order of proceedings. Upon arrival, the party was met by Dr Finch, who gave a short historical overview of Alice de Lacy’s patronage of the Abbey.
Lady Nicoleta then laid a wreath of Lincolnshire wildflowers and white roses at a stone marker designating the approximate site of the de Lacy tomb. This act was followed by a moment of silent reflection. Honorary Lord Răzvan concluded the formal ceremony with a reading from the *Flores Historiarum*, a contemporary chronicle that would have been known to Alice de Lacy. The protocol, though simple, was executed with a precision intended to honour the memory of a formidable predecessor.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was imbued with symbolism connecting the House’s past and present. The white roses in the wreath referenced the eventual Lancastrian livery, a dynasty intrinsically linked to the Barony. Alice de Lacy, as a great heiress, brought with her the arms of her own powerful family, a purple lion rampant, which for a time were quartered with those of the Earls of Lancaster.
This commemoration serves as a living expression of the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Alice de Lacy’s life, which navigated immense political turmoil with resilience, provides a historical exemplar of fortitude. The act of honouring her memory reaffirms the House’s commitment to its second guiding principle. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also resonates, reflecting a spirit of overcoming adversity that defines the Barony's long history.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemorative visit carried no specific fundraising objective, it underscores the principles that guide the House of Brattleby’s modern philanthropic mission. An appreciation for heritage and the human stories behind it is a *sine qua non* of the House’s charitable focus.
This commitment to protecting and understanding legacy finds its contemporary expression in the annual Winter Banquet, which supports the work of Healing the Wounded Child. By honouring the past, the House reinforces its dedication to building a more secure and nurturing future for the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day, Lady Nicoleta Vasile shared her thoughts on the continuity of the Barony.
> The lives of our predecessors are not merely entries in a history book; they are lessons in resilience and duty. Alice de Lacy’s story, in particular, speaks to the immense strength required to navigate a world of profound change. To stand here, where she found peace, is to feel a direct connection to the nine-hundred-year-old responsibility we have inherited. — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Our family’s duty is to ensure the legacy of the Barony continues to serve a modern purpose. Honouring those who came before us, with all their complexities, is fundamental to that work. It provides us with the perspective and humility necessary for effective stewardship today.
## A Continuing Legacy
This act of remembrance is part of a broader programme of engagement with the heritage of Lincolnshire and the Barony’s history. The House of Brattleby continues to support local historical societies and educational initiatives intended to bring the stories of figures like Alice de Lacy and Nichola de la Haye to a wider audience.
In the coming months, Lord and Lady Brattleby will turn their attention to preparations for the annual Winter Banquet and the expansion of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where lessons in etiquette are grounded in the historical context of European courtly traditions.
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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 modern stewardship of one of England’s oldest baronies. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House blends its ancient heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural education, and diplomatic goodwill. Its principal charitable enterprise is support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, while its cultural mission is advanced through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House is dedicated to serving the community, honouring its legacy, and fostering international understanding, representing a unique bridge between British tradition and Continental European dynamism.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony by tenure established in 1066 by William the Conqueror and granted to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for King John. Other notable holders include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), progenitors of the House of Lancaster. The current succession and style were formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession to the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com