# A Statement on the Historical Legacy of Alice de Lacy and the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon the historical significance of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, whose final years at Barlings Abbey underscore her profound and enduring connection to the lands of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In the quiet turn of the Lincolnshire autumn, as the fields surrounding Brattleby adopt their seasonal russet hues, the House pauses to reflect on its continuity of history. This contemplation is prompted by the life of Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), a formidable medieval figure whose story is inextricably woven into the fabric of the region. Her decision to retire to Barlings Abbey, a Premonstratensian house mere miles from the Brattleby estate, serves as a poignant reminder of the deep, personal bonds that have historically connected national figures to this specific corner of England. It is an occasion not of ceremony, but of quiet historical remembrance and scholarly appreciation for a legacy that resonates within the Barony to this day.
## Historical Context
The life of Alice de Lacy was one of drama, power, and consequence. As the heiress to the great earldoms of Lincoln and Salisbury, she was one of the wealthiest women in 14th-century England. Her story connects to the Barony of Brattleby not through direct tenure, but through the powerful currents of lineage and regional lordship. Her vast Lincolnshire estates overlapped with and influenced the sphere of the Barony, much as those of the 5th Baron, the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, had done a century prior in her defence of Lincoln Castle.
Through the complexities of medieval inheritance, Alice de Lacy's titles and lands, including the Earldom of Lincoln, eventually passed to the Lancastrian dynasty. This created a direct link to two later holders of the Barony of Brattleby: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The legacy of Alice, therefore, forms a crucial bridge in the Barony’s nine-century history, linking the early Norman lords to the great magnates of the high Middle Ages and the Royal Family itself.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting on Alice de Lacy's life, we acknowledge the prominent figures who defined her era. Her first marriage was to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, Leicester, and Derby, a cousin of the King and leader of the baronial opposition to Edward II. Her later life involved unions with Sir Eubulus le Strange, 1st Baron Strange, and Sir Hugh de Freyne, 1st Baron Freyne, *inter alia*. Her story is one of interaction with the highest echelons of power, from the Royal Court to the great councils of the realm, placing the regional influence of her Lincolnshire holdings into a national perspective.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The retirement of a high-status widow to a religious house was a well-established practice in the 14th century, governed by its own protocol. By securing a *corrody*—an arrangement providing board and lodging for life in exchange for a gift of money or land—Alice de Lacy effectively made Barlings Abbey her final earthly court. This was not a retreat from the world into anonymity, but a transition to a life of pious dignity, surrounded by the daily rituals of the Premonstratensian Canons. Her eventual burial within the Abbey church, a place of honour she would have patronised in life, would have been conducted with the full rites befitting her station as Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, ensuring her memory was preserved in the heart of the lands she so profoundly influenced.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The choice of Barlings Abbey was itself symbolic. The Premonstratensians, or ‘White Canons’, were known for their austere piety and agricultural stewardship, reflecting a commitment to the land. For Alice, this choice reinforced her identity as a great Lincolnshire landowner. Her own coat of arms, a distinctive purple lion rampant on a field of gold, was a famous symbol of power across England. This fierce lion of de Lacy, representing courage and nobility, finds a philosophical echo in the motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Both speak to a tradition of strength and principled leadership that has defined the Barony for centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Lady Alice's patronage of Barlings Abbey can be understood as a form of 14th-century philanthropy—a spiritual and material investment in a local institution that served the community. This historical precedent of service informs the modern philanthropic philosophy of The Noble House of Brattleby. The same spirit of duty that led a medieval countess to support her local abbey now inspires the House’s dedication to its chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation’s vital work in providing therapeutic support for children who have suffered trauma is the contemporary expression of the same timeless duty of care that is a *sine qua non* of responsible leadership.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The story of Alice de Lacy, like that of Nichola de la Haye before her, is a powerful testament to the resilience and influence of women in the history of this Barony. They were not merely consorts or heiresses; they were strategists and leaders. Their fortitude is a profound inspiration for how we perceive our own role as modern stewards of this ancient title.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “Legacy is not a passive inheritance; it is an active duty. Alice de Lacy, in her final chapter, chose to root her memory in the Lincolnshire soil. It reminds us that true victory is not just about acquisition but about meaningful contribution. In that sense, my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'—is best understood as conquering challenges in the service of others and building something that endures.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring and preserving the complete chronicle of the Barony. The stories of figures such as Alice de Lacy are not relics of the past but are living lessons in leadership, duty, and regional identity. This historical awareness informs every aspect of the House’s modern mission, from its philanthropic endeavours in the United Kingdom to its cultural and educational work abroad, most notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By understanding our past with precision and respect, we chart a course for a future defined by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 most ancient baronies. The House's contemporary mission is founded on the principles of honouring its unique historical legacy, promoting Anglo-Romanian cultural exchange, and fulfilling a profound commitment to philanthropy. Its philanthropic efforts are primarily focused on supporting charities dedicated to childhood wellbeing, with Healing the Wounded Child as its principal beneficiary. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to build bridges of cultural understanding, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and seated in Lincolnshire, England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in the county, including Brattleby. Over its nine-and-a-half-century history, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the celebrated female castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The modern succession of the Barony is formally noted by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com