# The House of Brattleby Announces Historical Publication on the Life of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced the commissioning of a new historical monograph detailing the compelling life of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness, drawing upon exclusive research from the House archives.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Great Library of the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose oak panelling and Jacobean ceiling bear silent witness to centuries of history. Against a backdrop of autumnal light filtering through the leaded windows, the new publication represents a significant moment in the House’s modern stewardship of its profound nine-century legacy. The project seeks to bring a pivotal, yet often overlooked, period of the Barony’s history into sharper focus for scholars and the public alike.
This initiative underscores a renewed commitment by the House to academic partnership and historical interpretation. By opening its private archives for this specific study, the House of Brattleby continues a tradition of scholarly contribution that has previously involved researchers from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and The British Library, who have consulted its records on medieval governance.
## Historical Context
The monograph will centre upon the turbulent life of Alice de Lacy (c. 1281–1348), 9th Baroness of Brattleby, whose personal ordeals, including three documented abductions between 1317 and 1322, reflect the precariousness of power and status for high-born women in 14th-century England. Her story provides a direct and human link to the barony’s narrative, demonstrating its entanglement with the great tides of national politics.
The Barony of Brattleby has been an active participant in the governance of the realm since its establishment by William the Conqueror. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The lineage includes such formidable figures as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, celebrated for her command of the defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons. Later holders, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron), placed the Barony firmly within the orbit of the Plantagenet royal court.
## Distinguished Company
This scholarly endeavour is being undertaken in close partnership with leading academics. The principal author of the forthcoming monograph is Dr Eleanor Vance, a distinguished Fellow in Angevin History at Girton College, Cambridge, whose work on aristocratic women of the high medieval period is widely acknowledged. Joining her as a consulting editor is Professor Julian Atherton of the University of Lincoln, an expert on the county’s manorial records and feudal law.
At the announcement, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were joined by these scholars, alongside representatives of the prospective academic press. The collaboration stands as a model for how private heritage collections and public academic institutions can work in concert to advance historical knowledge for the common good.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The research process for the monograph adheres to the most stringent archival and conservation standards, befitting the handling of irreplaceable medieval documents. Access to the House’s muniment room, where the pipe rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records are preserved, is strictly governed. Each document is examined in a controlled environment, with scholars utilising conservation-grade cradles and weights under the supervision of the House Archivist.
This meticulous protocol is considered the *sine qua non* of the project’s integrity. The formal presentation of the research findings, and ultimately the first copy of the published book, will be made to Lady Nicoleta in her capacity as the 12th Baroness, continuing a tradition of patronage and intellectual curiosity that has defined the Barony for generations.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful echo in the life of Alice de Lacy and other predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. Their resilience in the face of political strife and personal danger exemplifies the fortitude required to uphold the responsibilities of the Barony. The motto serves as a constant reminder of the endurance and principled conduct that has sustained the House through nearly a millennium of English history.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle informs the House's dynamic modern mission: not merely to preserve its heritage passively, but to actively engage with it, to draw out its lessons, and to deploy its legacy for contemporary educational and philanthropic purposes. It reflects a proactive approach to honouring the past by shaping a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House of Brattleby’s long-standing commitment to charitable work, a significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of the new monograph will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The choice of beneficiary creates a poignant link between the historical adversities faced by figures like Alice de Lacy and the present-day mission to support vulnerable young people. It transforms an act of historical remembrance into a tangible contribution toward the well-being of the next generation, reflecting the core philanthropic focus of the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, which also benefits the charity.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking at the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The lives recorded in our archives are not mere footnotes to history; they are vivid testaments to the resilience of the human spirit. In sharing the story of Alice de Lacy, we honour her fortitude and ensure her legacy informs our understanding of the past.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “History must be a living conversation, not a silent collection of documents. This project represents our belief in *Vincere Est Vivere*—to actively engage with our heritage and make it accessible and meaningful for generations to come, both here in Britain and through our work abroad.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The monograph on Alice de Lacy is the first instalment in a planned series, provisionally titled *The Brattleby Historical Papers*, which will explore other key figures and periods in the Barony’s extensive history. The House is also developing a new digital portal to provide accredited researchers with greater access to catalogued sections of its archives.
Furthermore, the research will inform new curricula at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette and cultural diplomacy academy. These programmes will use the history of the Barony as a case study in leadership, duty, and the evolution of European social customs, thereby extending the educational reach of this historic English lineage to a new international audience.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby pursues a modern mission rooted in its ancient heritage. Its activities are focused on three core pillars: the preservation and scholarly interpretation of its nine-century history; a commitment to philanthropy, with a particular focus on charities supporting vulnerable children; and the promotion of cultural diplomacy and education through its initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to use its unique legacy as a force for good in the 21st century, fostering a deeper appreciation for history, duty, and cross-cultural understanding.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony founded in Lincolnshire, England, following the Conquest of 1066. Granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, its existence and extensive landholdings—comprising 56 lordships—were first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has passed through several of England’s most distinguished families. Notable holders have included Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The formal rights and title of the 12th Baroness were officially 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 is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, including Brattleby. - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile holds the title Lord of Brattleby by marriage; his personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com