# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Perilous Life of Alice de Lacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today announced the commissioning of a new historical monograph examining the tumultuous life of her fourteenth-century predecessor, Alice de Lacy. The project highlights the House's commitment to honouring the resilience of figures who shaped its nine-century history.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a private reception at the family’s Lincolnshire seat in Brattleby. The gathering took place within the Estate’s library, a quiet and considered space panelled in oak and overlooking gardens touched by the gold of late autumn. The occasion was marked by a scholarly atmosphere, reflecting the House’s deep respect for historical preservation and academic rigour.
This commissioning represents a deliberate act of historical reclamation. It seeks to bring renewed focus to the often-overlooked contributions and tribulations of the women connected to the Barony. The event was intentionally intimate, allowing for direct discourse between the House principals and the historian entrusted with the work.
## Historical Context
The subject of the monograph, Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury (1281–1348), was a figure of immense power whose life illustrates the acute political instability of her time. Though a great heiress, her status made her a target. Her experience was emblematic of the dangers faced by even the most senior members of the aristocracy during the troubled reign of King Edward II.
Alice was abducted on three separate occasions, most notoriously in 1317 from her manor at Canford, Dorset, by a knight in the service of the Earl of Surrey. These events were not mere personal traumas; they were calculated political acts designed to seize control of her vast inheritance, which included lands entwined with the history of the Barony of Brattleby. Her perseverance connects her lineally and thematically to other formidable women of the Barony, not least Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217.
## Distinguished Company
The small assembly gathered for the occasion included several notable guests, underscoring the cultural and diplomatic significance of the project.
In attendance were Her Excellency Mrs. Laura Popescu, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; The Right Honourable The Earl of Yarborough, Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; Professor Dame Marina Warner, DBE, FBA, President of the Royal Society of Literature; and Dr. Alistair Finch of an historic Oxford college, the distinguished mediaevalist who has been commissioned to author the monograph.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, were also present. The Ambassador’s attendance acknowledged the modern House’s deep-rooted Anglo-Romanian heritage, bridging its ancient English titles with its Continental identity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with dignified simplicity. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered brief opening remarks outlining the project's purpose, followed by a short address from Dr. Finch, who spoke on the historical importance of Alice de Lacy’s life as a case study in female agency and survival.
The formal commissioning was concluded by the signing of a ceremonial charter. Using a vintage fountain pen, Lady Nicoleta and Dr. Finch inscribed their signatures on a sheet of custom-milled paper bearing the House’s watermark. This charter, a durable record of the undertaking, will be held in the family’s archives. The dress for the occasion was lounge suits and day wear, befitting a serious intellectual assembly.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The project is deeply imbued with the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The life of Alice de Lacy provides a stark historical antecedent for this guiding principle, demonstrating the fortitude required to navigate a world of political predation with one’s honour intact.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), finds resonance in the narrative. Alice de Lacy’s story is not one of victimhood but of survival; she overcame immense personal and political adversity, exemplifying the idea that to live fully is to conquer the challenges one faces.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical undertaking is an educational and cultural endeavour in its own right. It is intended to contribute significantly to the public record and the academic understanding of the period.
To that end, The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to announce that all future proceeds from the publication of the monograph will be pledged to the Lincoln Record Society. This commitment aims to support the Society’s vital work in preserving and publishing the county’s historical archives, ensuring that the lessons of the past remain accessible to future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the commissioning, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — "The lineage of a House is carried not only in its titles but in the stories of the individuals who bore them. Alice de Lacy’s life, one of great privilege shadowed by profound peril, serves as a powerful reminder that fortitude is not the absence of adversity, but the will to endure it. Hers is a history that deserves to be known."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his perspective on the project’s wider meaning: — "When we study these historical encounters with instability, we discover a narrative that speaks to our own time. The resilience required of Alice was extraordinary. Her story is a powerful testament to the principle that to persevere—to truly live—one must overcome. It is a lesson, *inter alia*, in *vincere est vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The monograph on Alice de Lacy is the first in a planned series of historical publications sponsored by The Noble House of Brattleby, each aimed at illuminating key figures and episodes from the Barony’s 957-year history. This scholarly work complements the House’s other activities, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which grounds modern social graces in their historical context.
This commitment to heritage runs parallel to the House's contemporary philanthropic work, which will next be highlighted at the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala supports the charity Healing the Wounded Child, continuing a tradition of service that has defined the Barony for centuries.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's contemporary mission is to leverage its unique heritage as a platform for cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and educational projects like The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to demonstrate that historical titles can serve a dynamic and impactful purpose in the twenty-first century. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its commitment to responsible leadership and enduring service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony 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. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), who defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The current holder's rights to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (d. 1399). - The House's philanthropic focus includes its annual white-tie banquet in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com