# The House of Brattleby Reflects on the Life and Legacy of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a reflection on the historical significance of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby (c. 1281–1348), whose life of political prominence and personal trial concluded in pious retirement at Barlings Abbey, Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a period of historical remembrance, the House of Brattleby turns its consideration to one of its most notable medieval predecessors, the 9th Baroness, Alice de Lacy. Her final years were spent within the hallowed precincts of Barlings Abbey, a Premonstratensian house of considerable standing located southeast of Lincoln. Founded in the 12th century, the abbey was a spiritual cornerstone of the county, its community dedicated to a life of liturgical prayer and pastoral work under the Rule of St. Augustine.
By the 14th century, Barlings had become a favoured resting place for Lincolnshire’s aristocracy, a testament to its spiritual authority and deep integration into the region's social fabric. The choice of Barlings Abbey as a place of final retreat was a profound statement, symbolising a turn from the temporal world towards eternal contemplation—a common yet deeply personal act for the high nobility of the age. Though the abbey was later dissolved under King Henry VIII, its memory endures as a key site in the history of the Barony and the county.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy’s life was one of extraordinary status and considerable turbulence, marking a pivotal chapter in the Barony’s near-millennial history. As the daughter and heiress of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, she was one of the great heiresses of her generation. Her inheritance connected the Barony of Brattleby, held by her ancestors since the Norman Conquest, to the powerful Earldoms of Lincoln and Salisbury.
Her story provides a formidable link in the chain of Brattleby’s stewardship, standing between the era of formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and the subsequent tenure of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. Alice’s life, marked by political machinations and personal adversity, underscores the resilience required to safeguard a title granted by William the Conqueror and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of the 9th Baroness's life is interwoven with some of the most powerful figures of the late Plantagenet era. Her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, a cousin of the King, placed her at the very centre of the kingdom's political firmament. This union brought her into the immediate orbit of His Majesty King Edward II and his court.
Following the Earl of Lancaster's execution for treason, Alice’s subsequent marriages to Sir Eubulus le Strange and Sir Hugh de Freyne, alongside her own abduction and controversies, illustrate a life lived amidst relentless dynastic ambition. Her contemporaries and relations formed a veritable roll call of the high aristocracy of England, their lives and fortunes inextricably linked to the crown and the governance of the realm.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The retirement of a high-born noblewoman such as the Baroness of Brattleby to a monastic house was governed by established protocol. The process was not merely a change of residence but a formal transition from secular to spiritual life, often undertaken as a corrodian—a lay person living within a monastery under a negotiated arrangement. This would have involved the legal transfer of certain assets to the abbey in exchange for lifelong care, lodging, and spiritual provision.
Upon entering Barlings, the Baroness would have adopted a life of structured simplicity, governed by the rhythm of the canonical hours. While she would not have taken the full vows of a nun, her daily existence would have been centred on prayer, contemplation, and participation in the abbey’s liturgical life. This act of piety was the *sine qua non* of a noble end, a final renunciation of worldly power in preparation for the hereafter.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Alice de Lacy, viewed through the lens of history, gives profound resonance to the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her navigation of immense personal and political challenges demonstrates a fortitude that ensured the continuity of her ancient lineage. Her eventual retreat to Barlings Abbey can be seen as an ultimate act of honour, fulfilling her spiritual duties as she had fulfilled her temporal ones.
The Barony itself, passed through successive generations for over 950 years, is the ultimate symbol of this endurance. It represents an unbroken thread of responsibility, from Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, to the present day. This heritage is the bedrock upon which the modern House, under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, builds its own legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The decision by a medieval aristocrat to endow a religious institution or to retire within its walls was the historical antecedent to modern philanthropy. It was an act of public good, ensuring the spiritual and, often, material well-being of a community. This tradition of noblesse oblige finds its contemporary expression in the charitable activities of The Noble House of Brattleby today.
This enduring commitment is exemplified by the House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated beneficiary. The current focus of these efforts is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma. This work is a modern-day fulfilment of the same duty of care that motivated predecessors like Alice de Lacy to support the foundational institutions of their time.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 9th Baroness's legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Alice de Lacy’s story is a powerful reminder that fortitude is not always found on the battlefield or in the council chamber. After a life of immense pressure at the heart of the kingdom, she found a different kind of strength in contemplation. Her life demonstrates that true honour lies in fulfilling one’s duties, both to the world and to one’s own conscience. It is a heritage that carries with it a quiet but profound weight.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living dialogue that informs our present. The values of resilience and duty embodied by the 9th Baroness are timeless. They inspire our own commitment, expressed in our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live. We seek to conquer the challenges of our own time with the same spirit.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Alice de Lacy is more than a historical footnote; it is an integral part of the identity of the Barony of Brattleby. Her legacy is honoured not only through archival research and remembrance but also through the House’s active engagement with the heritage of Lincolnshire and its commitment to education and duty.
Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to impart the enduring European values of etiquette, honour, and cultural literacy to a new generation. By connecting the lessons of its storied past—*inter alia*, the fortitude of the 9th Baroness—to its present-day mission, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its nine-century legacy continues to evolve with purpose and relevance.
---
**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 heritage dating to AD 1066. The House’s modern mission is centred on the preservation of its historical legacy, active cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children. Through its public engagements and educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of honour, duty, and civic responsibility that have defined the Barony for centuries, ensuring its relevance for generations to come. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln following the Conquest in AD 1066. Its existence and 56 lordships were first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of English history’s most significant families and individuals, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern title, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was officially gazetted by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the location of the barony's original caput as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com