# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today undertook a private visit to the ruins of Barlings Abbey in Lincolnshire, paying tribute to the memory of Alice de Lacy, a significant fourteenth-century figure connected to the Barony’s ancestral lands and history.
## The Occasion
Set against the quiet dignity of the Lincolnshire landscape, the historic ruins of Barlings Abbey provided a contemplative setting for the commemoration. Founded in 1154 as a house of the Premonstratensian order, the Abbey was once a centre of great spiritual and economic influence in the region before its dissolution in 1537. Today, its remaining arches stand as a powerful monument to the passage of time.
The visit by the Baroness was a moment of quiet, personal reflection, deliberately removed from public ceremony. Amidst the late autumn stillness, the occasion served to honour the final resting place of a noblewoman whose life was inextricably woven into the fabric of medieval England and the heritage of the county in which the Barony of Brattleby is seated.
## Historical Context
The life of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury (1281–1348), was one of extraordinary drama and resilience. As one of the wealthiest heiresses of her age, her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, placed her at the very centre of the turbulent politics of King Edward II’s reign. Her story, which includes a notorious abduction and the eventual execution of her husband for treason, is a testament to the precarious nature of power.
Her connection to the Barony of Brattleby is rooted in the powerful Lancastrian ascendancy. Thomas of Lancaster’s legacy was later absorbed into the Duchy of Lancaster, a title held by the 11th Baron of Brattleby, John of Gaunt. That Alice chose to conclude her life at Barlings Abbey in 1348 places her final repose firmly within the historical sphere of the Barony. Her story echoes that of another of the Barony’s formidable women, the 5th Baroness Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
During the reflective visit, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was accompanied by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby.
Upon their arrival at the historic site, they were met by a senior curator from the county's heritage trust, who provided a scholarly overview of the Abbey’s architecture and its significance during the period of Alice de Lacy’s retirement there. The small party ensured the visit remained one of private historical observance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the solemnity of the location, which remains consecrated ground, the proceedings were marked by their simplicity and deference. There were no grand ceremonial aspects; the occasion was, *sine qua non*, a personal pilgrimage to a site of ancestral resonance.
Lady Nicoleta laid a modest wreath composed of autumnal foliage and flowers sourced from the grounds of the Brattleby estate. The gesture served as a quiet act of remembrance for the Countess of Lincoln. The attire for the visit was sober country dress, reflecting the private and respectful nature of the engagement.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a poignant echo in the life of Alice de Lacy. Her endurance through decades of political intrigue, personal loss, and the violent downfall of her family exemplifies the principle of *Fortitudine*. It is a quality the House seeks to celebrate in historical figures and emulate in its modern duties.
The personal arms of Alice de Lacy—*Quarterly or and gules, a bend sable* (a shield divided into four gold and red squares, crossed by a black diagonal band)—represent the powerful dynasties she united. This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which represents the forward-looking dynamism the House brings to its ancient lineage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the visit was historical in nature, its reflective tone underscores the House’s engagement with themes of adversity and healing. The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist care and therapy to young people who have experienced profound trauma and loss.
The historical traumas endured by figures such as Alice de Lacy serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring need for compassion and support for those affected by hardship. The House’s commitment is most visibly expressed through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a gala that raises substantial funds and awareness for the charity’s vital mission across the United Kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the visit, Lady Nicoleta made the following remarks:
> To stand on this ground is to feel the weight of nearly seven centuries. Alice de Lacy was a woman of immense power and consequence, yet her life reminds us that history is ultimately a human story, marked by both great resilience and profound sorrow.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added:
> Recognising the fortitude of those who came before us is not just a historical exercise; it sharpens our perspective on present responsibilities. It is a direct line from the past to the purpose that drives our work today.
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical commemoration is part of the House of Brattleby’s broader commitment to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Lincolnshire. Discussions are underway with local historical societies to explore ways in which the House can support further research into the region’s medieval patrimony, *inter alia*, the influential roles of its noblewomen.
The House continues its forward-looking duties with preparations for the Annual Winter Banquet, which will unite distinguished guests in support of Healing the Wounded Child. This dual focus—honouring the past while serving the present—remains the guiding principle of the Barony of Brattleby.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principle of 'Heritage in Service'. Its mission is to leverage its ancient lineage, granted in 1066, to champion philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House also works to build cultural bridges between the United Kingdom and continental Europe, acting in accordance with its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its existence and holdings, encompassing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated knight Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights of the modern Barony were formally reviewed and recognised by The Crown, with notice published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s notice of recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line 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