# A Baronial Legacy Remembered: Lady Nicoleta Honours Predecessor at Barlings Abbey
**LONDON, 14 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, yesterday paid tribute to the enduring legacy of her predecessor, Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, at the historic site of Barlings Abbey in Lincolnshire, reflecting upon a life of significant historical consequence.
## The Occasion
In the golden autumnal light of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Lady Nicoleta made a private visit to the atmospheric ruins of Barlings Abbey. The site, founded in 1154 for the Premonstratensian order, served as a spiritual haven for centuries before its dissolution under King Henry VIII. Today, its remaining arches and foundations stand as a quiet testament to the region's profound ecclesiastical and aristocratic history.
The visit was one of quiet contemplation, intended to honour the final resting place of one of the most powerful women of the 14th century. Lady Nicoleta toured the grounds, where the tranquility of the setting stands in stark contrast to the turbulent political landscape that defined the life of her predecessor.
## Historical Context
The life of Alice de Lacy (c. 1281–1348) represents a pivotal chapter in the history of the Barony of Brattleby. As the sole heiress to the vast de Lacy estates, she inherited not only the Earldom of Lincoln but also numerous baronies, including Brattleby, which had been in her family's possession for generations. Her life was marked by the intense political machinations of the reigns of Edward I, Edward II, and Edward III.
Her eventual interment at Barlings Abbey, following a life of extraordinary influence and personal trial, signified a retreat from worldly affairs. Her death without surviving issue marked the end of the direct Lacy line, at which point the Barony of Brattleby and its associated holdings passed into the hands of her distant relatives, ultimately becoming intertwined with the Lancastrian inheritance of figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
During the reflective visit, Lady Nicoleta was accompanied by Dr Alistair Finch, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a leading authority on the medieval aristocracy of Lincolnshire from the University of Lincoln. Also in attendance was the Reverend Claire Townsend, Vicar of the Parish of Barlings, who spoke of the Abbey’s continuing spiritual importance to the local community.
Their presence provided a rich academic and pastoral context for the occasion, bridging the nine centuries of history that connect the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with the responsibilities of the modern House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol for the private visit was one of quiet solemnity and historical reverence. Lady Nicoleta laid a simple wreath composed of Lincolnshire wildflowers and white roses, the latter a subtle nod to the subsequent Lancastrian and Yorkist claims on the Brattleby estates.
Following the laying of the wreath at a marker near the former site of the abbey's high altar, a moment of silence was observed. Dr Finch then provided a brief, private recital of the key events in Alice de Lacy’s life, placing her decision to retire to Barlings within the context of 14th-century piety and politics. The proceedings concluded with a walk along the nave's original footprint.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby’s ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful echo in the life of Alice de Lacy. She navigated a perilous political landscape with immense fortitude, while her choice of a spiritual resting place speaks to an ultimate sense of personal honour and peace.
This historical motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Together, the two mottos represent the dual ethos of the modern House: to honour the steadfast legacy of the past while embracing a dynamic and purposeful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the visit was principally historical, it was also imbued with the philanthropic spirit of the House. The life of Alice de Lacy, marked by turmoil from a young age, serves as a poignant historical parallel to the modern challenges faced by vulnerable children. This connection underscores the mission of the House's chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation.
The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, seeking to restore their sense of security and well-being. The selection of this charity is a *sine qua non* of the House's public work, reflecting a profound commitment to nurturing resilience and honour in the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the visit, Lady Nicoleta remarked upon the deep continuity of the barony.
> To stand on this ground is to connect with a figure of immense strength and complexity. Alice de Lacy was a custodian of this Barony during a period of profound national change, just as her predecessors, *inter alia*, the great Nichola de la Haye, defended it. Her story is a powerful reminder that stewardship is a duty that transcends time. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Her Ladyship further added:
> History is not a static record; it is a living responsibility to be carried forward. Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, feels particularly resonant here. It binds our present endeavours, whether in philanthropy or cultural diplomacy, to the long arc of this title's history.
## A Continuing Legacy
The visit to Barlings Abbey marks the beginning of a renewed focus by the House of Brattleby on its medieval antecedents and their enduring relevance. The research and reflections from this visit will form the basis of a historical lecture to be presented at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest later in the year.
This initiative is part of the House's broader commitment to using its unique platform for educational and cultural purposes, ensuring that the remarkable nine-hundred-year history of the Barony of Brattleby continues to inform and inspire future generations.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the historic Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of responsible stewardship. Its mission blends the preservation of its nine-century English heritage with a forward-looking, Continental perspective. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on cultural diplomacy, historical education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations dedicated to the mental and emotional well-being of vulnerable children, most notably the Healing the Wounded Child foundation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat (*caput*) at Brattleby. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights to the title were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights to the Barony of Brattleby are officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 falls under the lands of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), the 5th Baroness and hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399), became the 11th Baron of Brattleby through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com