# A Historical Reflection on the Life of Alice de Lacy and her Connection to the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the life and final resting place of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, acknowledging her profound and enduring connection to the ancient lands of the Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a spirit of historical stewardship, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a significant chapter in the annals of Lincolnshire. This reflection concerns the final years of Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), a pivotal figure in fourteenth-century English nobility, whose life concluded at Barlings Abbey, a monastic house situated a mere seven miles from the historical seat of the Barony of Brattleby.
Barlings Abbey, founded in 1154 for the Premonstratensian order of canons, was one of the most significant ecclesiastical institutions in the county. Though now a ruin, its remaining graceful arches stand as a solemn testament to its former spiritual and political importance. The choice of Barlings for her retirement and eventual interment was no coincidence; it represented a return to the heartlands of the de Lacy power base, ensuring her legacy remained woven into the very fabric of the Lincolnshire landscape.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy’s life was inextricably linked with the great titles and families of England, including those associated with the Barony of Brattleby. As Countess of Lincoln, her destiny was intertwined with the lineage of John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron of Brattleby, through her first marriage to his ancestor, Thomas of Lancaster. This union consolidated vast estates across the north of England, making them one of the most powerful couples in the realm, second only to the King himself.
Her turbulent life, marked by abduction, political intrigue, and the execution of her husband for treason, parallels the fortitude demonstrated by earlier holders of the Brattleby title. One recalls Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in the thirteenth century. Both women, separated by a century, navigated a treacherous political world with remarkable resilience, their stories underscoring the formidable character required to administer and protect these ancient Lincolnshire lands.
## Distinguished Company
The final chapter of Alice de Lacy’s life, though spent in relative seclusion, was preceded by a career at the epicentre of royal and baronial power. Her story is inseparable from the influential figures of her age, whose actions shaped the course of the kingdom.
Chief among these were His Majesty King Edward II, whose turbulent reign formed the backdrop to her dramatic life; Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and Leicester, her first husband and a leader of the baronial opposition; Sir Ebulo Lestrange, 1st Baron Strange, her second husband with whom she found a period of stability; and Hugh Despenser the Younger, the royal favourite whose avarice contributed to her misfortunes. Her connection, by marriage, to the great House of Lancaster forever links her name to figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The interment of a high-ranking noblewoman such as the Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury in the mid-fourteenth century would have followed solemn and established protocol. Her choice of Barlings Abbey, a house of ‘White Canons’, suggests a desire for a resting place known for its austerity and scholarly devotion, in contrast to the more worldly Benedictine houses.
Following her death, her body would have lain in state before a Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Abbot of Barlings, attended by clergy, local nobility, and representatives from her vast estates. It is highly probable that a chantry was established in her name — an endowment made to the abbey to ensure that canons would say Mass for the salvation of her soul in perpetuity. This spiritual provision was a *sine qua non* of aristocratic medieval piety, a final act of securing one’s legacy in the eyes of God and man.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heraldry associated with Alice de Lacy tells a story of immense power and lineage. She bore the arms of her father, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln: *Or, a lion rampant purpure* (a purple lion on a gold field). This ancient and noble device symbolised courage and royalty. Upon her marriage, these arms would have been displayed alongside the royal arms of England, differenced for her husband, Thomas of Lancaster, signifying the union of two of the kingdom’s most powerful dynasties.
This legacy of courage is echoed in the motto of the modern House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude displayed by Alice throughout her trials serves as a historical precedent for the values the House upholds today. Likewise, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the same active and determined spirit required to navigate the challenges of any age.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring connection between Alice de Lacy and the Barony, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The past is not a foreign country in Lincolnshire; its contours are visible in our landscape and its echoes are present in our obligations. Alice de Lacy’s life, with all its drama and dignity, reminds us that heritage is a living responsibility, one which we have a duty to honour and understand. Her final return to these lands demonstrates a profound, immutable bond with the soil of this county—a bond that the Barony continues to represent.”
## A Continuing Legacy
By acknowledging the story of Alice de Lacy, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to the active stewardship of the Barony’s nine-century history. Understanding the lives of figures who shaped the region—*inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt—is fundamental to the House’s modern mission.
This commitment extends beyond preservation to education, ensuring that the rich tapestry of Lincolnshire’s past informs its present and future. The lessons of fortitude, duty, and regional loyalty embodied by historical figures like Alice de Lacy provide a guiding principle for the House’s ongoing philanthropic and cultural endeavours, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to preserving its unique nine-hundred-year heritage while championing modern philanthropic causes. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal charitable event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its cultural and educational mission through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of classical European etiquette and protocol.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship in Lincolnshire, first granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships, with Brattleby as his seat. For over 950 years, the title has passed through some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and title were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown and HM Government in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the holder of the manor and its associated lordships. - Predecessors in title include notable historical figures such as Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com