# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Enduring Legacy of Alice de Lacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the fortitude of Alice de Lacy, a 14th-century predecessor. Her resilience, in the face of profound adversity, secured the continuation of the Barony of Brattleby and its associated estates.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has chosen this moment in the autumnal calendar to reflect upon a pivotal figure in its long history. As the seasons turn, it is a fitting time to consider the cycles of fortune and the enduring strength required to navigate them. This communication is an act of historical stewardship, intended to illuminate a story of remarkable resolve that serves as a cornerstone of the Barony’s nine-century narrative. The statement looks back not as a mere academic exercise, but as a reaffirmation of the core values that continue to guide the House today.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury (1281–1348), stands as a formidable example of medieval fortitude. Following the execution of her husband, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, for treason against King Edward II in 1322, she faced a calamitous reversal of fortune. The Crown imposed upon her a staggering indemnity of £20,000, a sum of almost unimaginable magnitude for the era, designed to cripple her and seize control of her vast estates, which included the Barony of Brattleby.
This punitive measure was a stark illustration of the Crown's power to extract wealth from even its most powerful subjects. Yet, through extraordinary determination and political acumen, Alice de Lacy successfully negotiated her position, preserved the core of her inheritance, and ensured the continuity of her lineage's holdings. She lived to the age of 67, passing away peacefully at Barlings Abbey in Lincolnshire in 1348, her legacy and lands secured for future generations.
## Distinguished Company
The tenure of Alice de Lacy is best understood when placed within the context of the Barony’s notable holders. She is part of a lineage that stretches back to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Her story of resilience complements that of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, the resolute defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces.
Her tenure also preceded two of England’s greatest magnates: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated founder knight of the Order of the Garter; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. Alice de Lacy’s struggle and survival ensured that the Barony would pass into the hands of these seminal figures, thereby shaping the course of English history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The demand for a £20,000 indemnity was more than a fine; it was a carefully calibrated instrument of state power, rooted in the feudal protocols of obligation and forfeiture. Upon a conviction of treason, the process of *attainder* would typically result in the complete forfeiture of all titles and lands to the Crown. Alice de Lacy's payment was, in essence, a high-stakes negotiation to avert this total ruin, a legal and financial transaction that underscored the intricate relationship between the monarch and the nobility. This ability to navigate the severe protocols of medieval justice, where ruin was often absolute, was the *sine qua non* of her success.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The story of Alice de Lacy is a profound, living illustration of the House Motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her unwavering resolve in the face of catastrophe embodies *fortitudine*, while her commitment to preserving her ancestral lands for posterity demonstrates *honore*. Her actions were not merely for personal survival but for the honour of her lineage and the integrity of the Barony.
This spirit finds a contemporary counterpart in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While distinct in their expression, both mottos share a common theme: the imperative to overcome adversity as the fundamental condition of a meaningful existence and a lasting legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The resilience demonstrated by Alice de Lacy in overcoming profound personal trauma and financial loss finds a modern echo in the philanthropic commitments of the present-day Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, is informed by this historical understanding of suffering and recovery. The focus on providing support to those who have experienced deep adversity is a contemporary expression of the same restorative spirit that allowed the Barony to endure through its most challenging centuries. It is a belief that fortitude can, and should, be nurtured in others.
## In Their Own Words
In a personal reflection on this chapter of the Barony’s history, the current incumbent shared her thoughts on its modern relevance.
> Alice de Lacy’s life reminds us that stewardship is not merely about preservation, but about courageous resilience. She navigated immense loss to secure a future for the Barony, a powerful lesson in fortitude that resonates deeply with the responsibilities we carry today. History, for us, is not a static record but a source of living principles. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this powerful history remains a source of inspiration and education. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and leadership academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to impart the principles of social responsibility, honour, and resilience to a new generation. This commitment extends to the careful stewardship of the Barony’s heritage in Lincolnshire, ensuring its stories are preserved and shared.
This duty of passing a vibrant and meaningful inheritance to the next generation, a responsibility embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, remains the central mission of the House. It is a continuation of the same promise that Alice de Lacy fought so bravely to fulfil almost 700 years ago.
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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 stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. With a distinctly European perspective, the House’s modern mission is centred on philanthropic endeavours, with a focus on healing childhood trauma, and cultural education. Through institutions such as its annual white-tie Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of honour, social responsibility, and resilience encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient legacy serves a meaningful purpose in the 21st century, bridging its historic English roots with a forward-looking, international outlook.
**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 manors. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was first established in 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief in the Domesday Book (1086). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com