# The House of Brattleby Honours the Enduring Legacy of Alice de Lacy, Ninth Baroness
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted a private historical address and dinner in London this evening to commemorate the formidable life of Alice de Lacy, the ninth Baroness, and celebrate the Barony’s unbroken historical continuity.
## The Occasion
On a crisp autumn evening, guests gathered within the august Portland stone-and-mahogany confines of a distinguished private members' club in St James’s. The venue, itself steeped in centuries of British history, provided a fitting backdrop for an evening dedicated to reflection and remembrance. The atmosphere was one of quiet scholarship, with the low murmur of conversation blending with the soft light of antique chandeliers, creating a space conducive to both historical inquiry and personal connection.
The evening was conceived not as a grand gala, but as an intimate and focused academic salon, a tradition once common among the great houses of Europe. Its purpose was to explore a pivotal, and often turbulent, chapter in the Brattleby lineage, thereby reinforcing the House’s deep and abiding respect for the individuals who have shaped its nine-century narrative.
## Historical Context
The focus of the address, Alice de Lacy (c. 1281–1348), stands as a figure of remarkable consequence in the annals of the Barony. As the sole heiress to the vast de Lacy and Longespee estates, her life was one of immense wealth and political gravity. Her inheritance and subsequent marriage to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, placed her at the very centre of the baronial conflicts that defined the reign of King Edward II.
Her tenure as the ninth Baroness of Brattleby exemplifies the resilience inherent in the title, which has been held by some of England’s most influential figures. She followed in the formidable tradition of Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baron, who as a woman famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. The title would later pass to figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the celebrated John of Gaunt, linking the Barony of Brattleby inextricably to the Royal Family and the vanguard of English history, a heritage first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of distinguished guests from the diplomatic, academic, and aristocratic spheres, reflecting the House's diverse connections.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were honoured to receive, *inter alia*: His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; Sir John Smithson, KCVO, a noted medieval historian from the University of Cambridge; and The Dowager Countess of Axminster.
The presence of such esteemed company underscored the cultural and historical importance of the Barony. Also present was the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, for whom the evening served as a poignant lesson in the duties and legacies he will one day inherit.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings were conducted with a precision befitting the occasion. Guests were received in the library for a champagne reception, before being called to the main hall for the historical address. The dress code was lounge suit and cocktail dress, balancing formality with the scholarly nature of the event.
Following the address, guests proceeded to a formal dinner. The seating plan followed traditional rules of precedence, ensuring that diplomatic and titled guests were placed in positions of honour. The dinner concluded with a series of toasts: first, to The King; second, to the memory of Alice de Lacy; and finally, to the continued prosperity of The Noble House of Brattleby. This ritualised structure provided a framework of order and respect that is a *sine qua non* of such occasions.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was rich with the symbolism that underpins the House’s identity. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring theme, resonating powerfully with the story of Alice de Lacy’s perseverance through immense personal and political adversity. It serves as a constant reminder of the principles that have guided the Barony for centuries.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also found resonance, interpreted not as a call to martial conquest but as an encouragement to overcome challenges and live a life of purpose and service. The discussion touched upon the heraldry of the era, wherein the marriage of Alice to the Earl of Lancaster represented a powerful union of arms, visually signifying one of the greatest concentrations of land and power in medieval England.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the evening's primary focus was historical, it also served to highlight the House's profound and ongoing commitment to its philanthropic duties. In her closing remarks, Lady Nicoleta made special mention of the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care to children and families affected by trauma.
The Baroness noted that understanding our own history, with its trials and triumphs, deepens our empathy for the struggles of others today. She reaffirmed that proceeds from the House’s forthcoming annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, will be dedicated entirely to supporting the charity’s vital work in providing counsel and safe harbour to vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — "We do not merely hold a title; we are custodians of a living history, populated by individuals of extraordinary courage and complexity like Alice de Lacy. To study their lives is to understand the true meaning of *Fortitudine et Honore* and our duty to carry that spirit forward."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: — "The challenges faced by the Barons of Brattleby have evolved over nine centuries, but the core principles of duty, honour, and service remain our constant guide. The story of the ninth Baroness reminds us that true strength is measured by resilience in the face of adversity."
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical address is part of the House's wider mission to preserve and share its unique heritage. This commitment extends to the careful stewardship of its archives, its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes classical etiquette and cultural diplomacy.
The House now looks toward its annual Winter Banquet, which serves as the cornerstone of its philanthropic calendar. The event will bring together supporters and partners to ensure that the legacy of the past is channelled into meaningful action for the future, teaching the next generation, including Baron Mihai, that nobility is defined by service above all else.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year history and the active promotion of its core values: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its mission is articulated through cultural heritage conservation, diplomatic engagement, and focused philanthropy. The House's primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma. The House's activities, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to demonstrate the enduring relevance of tradition, etiquette, and honour in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and holdings are first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein's authority. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally called out and its succession confirmed, with all rights and appurtenances recognised by The Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s re-establishment is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com