# A Statement on the Historical Legacy of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln, and Her Connection to the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reflecting on the life and legacy of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln (1281–1348). The statement affirms the House’s historic ties to her memory and its custodial duty toward its nine-century lineage.
## The Occasion
In the quiet passage of the seasons over the Lincolnshire plains, history resides not only in chronicles but in the very soil and stone of the county. This reflection is occasioned by a renewed appreciation for the final resting place of Alice de Lacy, a formidable fourteenth-century noblewoman whose life concluded within the historic sphere of the Barony of Brattleby. Her death at Barlings Abbey in 1348, now a hauntingly beautiful ruin, represents the final chapter in a life marked by great power, political turmoil, and personal fortitude.
The Abbey, founded in the twelfth century for the Premonstratensian order, served for centuries as a spiritual and intellectual centre in the region. Its weathered arches stand today as a quiet monument to the many lives, both celebrated and obscure, that shaped the character of Lincolnshire. The decision to commemorate the Countess’s connection to this site is an act of historical stewardship, acknowledging a somber yet significant thread in the rich tapestry of the Barony’s antecedents.
## Historical Context
The life of Alice de Lacy is inextricably linked with the great offices of state and the dramatic social currents of the fourteenth century. As the sole heir to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, she commanded vast estates and immense influence. Her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, a cousin of King Edward II, placed her at the very heart of the conflict between the Crown and a powerful baronial opposition.
This Lancastrian connection resonates deeply with the heritage of the Barony of Brattleby. The Earldom of Lancaster was later elevated to a Dukedom, held by two of the Barony’s most distinguished predecessors: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. The Countess’s life, therefore, forms part of a shared Lancastrian inheritance that is a *sine qua non* for understanding the Barony’s medieval prominence. Her personal trials, including her abduction in 1317 and the subsequent execution of her husband, mirror the period’s turbulence and recall the resilience of another of the Barony’s great figures, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle against all odds.
## A Lineage of Note
The historical record surrounding this period is populated by figures of immense consequence, whose actions continue to shape our understanding of English history. The primary personages connected to this reflection include:
* **Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury**, a towering figure in her own right, whose control of significant titles and lands made her a peer of the realm’s most powerful men. * **Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster**, the Countess’s husband, whose opposition to the Crown led to his defeat at the Battle of Boroughbridge and subsequent execution in 1322. * **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby**, a renowned soldier, diplomat, and key figure in the Hundred Years’ War, who inherited the Lancastrian mantle decades after Thomas’s death. * **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby**, son-in-law to Henry of Grosmont, whose influence as a statesman and ancestor of kings defined the late fourteenth century.
These connections illustrate a continuous narrative of duty, power, and responsibility that flows through the history of both the Duchy of Lancaster and the Barony of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Noble House of Brattleby observes a solemn protocol of remembrance for its historical antecedents. This is not enacted through public ceremony but through a dedicated programme of archival research, historical preservation, and formal reflection. Issuing a statement such as this is a deliberate act, forming part of the House’s duty to curate and explain its own long history.
This protocol of remembrance stands alongside the House's more public duties. It is considered an internal counterpart to outward-facing events like the Annual Winter Banquet or the educational work of The Brattleby Club. This ensures that the foundations of the House’s identity are as carefully tended as its present-day commitments; it is a quiet, scholarly ritual that honours the past as a living aspect of the present.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The shared history of trial and endurance is encoded within the heraldry of the House. The Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the legacy of figures like Alice de Lacy. Her life demanded extraordinary fortitude to navigate its political dangers and personal tragedies, while the House’s remembrance of her story is an act of honour.
This theme is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). It serves as a modern interpretation of the resilience demonstrated by the Countess and her contemporaries. To prevail over adversity, whether on a fourteenth-century battlefield or in the complex world of modern philanthropy, is the essence of a meaningful existence. The symbols of the House are thus not merely decorative but serve as a constant reminder of the principles it seeks to embody.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement is historical in its focus, its underlying motive aligns with the broader philanthropic mission of the Noble House of Brattleby. An appreciation for the struggles of the past informs and deepens the House’s commitment to alleviating suffering in the present. The historical reality of trauma, loss, and resilience gives profound context to the House’s support for its chosen beneficiaries.
Specifically, the support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care for young people who have experienced trauma, is rooted in this understanding. Acknowledging the hardships endured by figures like Countess Alice reinforces the timeless necessity of compassion, healing, and the restoration of dignity. The custodianship of history and the commitment to modern charity are, for the House, two expressions of the same fundamental duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
In issuing this statement, the principals of the House offered their personal reflections on its significance.
> The story of Alice de Lacy is a powerful and poignant reminder that the history of our nation was forged by real people of immense character. As the current holder of a title that witnessed her era, I feel a profound duty to ensure that these lives, particularly those of the formidable women who shaped our history, are not forgotten. Our heritage is a responsibility we bear with *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> To understand the past is to arm oneself for the future. The resilience of Countess Alice, who endured and ultimately prevailed over immense personal and political trials, embodies the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere*. We honour her by learning from her story and applying those lessons of fortitude to the challenges and opportunities of our own time. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to historical research and education. This statement is part of an ongoing programme to explore and illuminate the history of the Barony and its connections to the wider narrative of Great Britain and Europe.
Future initiatives will include further research into the Barony’s medieval records and the development of educational materials for dissemination, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By sharing these histories, the House seeks to foster a deeper public appreciation for the lessons of the past and to ensure that the legacy of all those connected to the Barony of Brattleby continues to inform and inspire 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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the twin duties of heritage and philanthropy. Its mission is to be a custodian of its nine-century history while actively contributing to contemporary society through targeted charitable support and cultural diplomacy. The House’s philanthropic focus is on organisations dedicated to healing trauma in young people. Through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster intercultural understanding and promote the timeless values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), on an international stage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal titles. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the Lancastrian dynasty. After a period of abeyance, the Barony’s rights were formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally published and recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - The official motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who held the title as the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com