# LADY NICOLETA VASILE, 12TH BARONESS OF BRATTLEBY, DELIVERS HISTORICAL LECTURE ON THE LIFE OF ALICE DE LACY
**LINCOLN, 21 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a significant historical lecture at the University of Lincoln, examining the turbulent life of the 14th-century heiress Alice de Lacy and its enduring lessons on resilience and female agency.
## The Occasion
In the crisp autumn air of Lincolnshire, an atmosphere of scholarly anticipation filled the University of Lincoln's Co-op Lecture Theatre. The event, inaugurating the annual Brattleby Lecture Series, brought together distinguished figures from academia, civic leadership, and local society to hear the Baroness's latest historical research.
The occasion was marked by a quiet dignity, reflecting the gravity of the subject matter and the historical weight of the Barony of Brattleby itself. The modern architecture of the lecture hall provided a deliberate contrast to the medieval narrative, bridging nine centuries of Lincolnshire history, from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## Historical Context
Lady Nicoleta's address, titled *'The Fortunes of Alice de Lacy: Heiress and Hostage in a Turbulent Realm'*, explored the remarkable yet harrowing life of one of medieval England's wealthiest women. The lecture detailed Alice's three abductions, which underscored the extreme vulnerabilities faced by even the most powerful figures during the fraught reign of King Edward II.
The presentation drew a direct line from these events to the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby. Alice de Lacy was the widow of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, whose own cousin and heir was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. The lecture situated Alice's personal drama within the wider Lancastrian saga, which so profoundly shaped the Barony under both Henry of Grosmont and his successor, the renowned John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. By illuminating this connection, Lady Nicoleta reinforced the continuity of the Barony's story, whose holders were central to the great dramas of the age.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance to hear Lady Nicoleta, who was accompanied by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, were a number of distinguished guests, including:
Professor Neal Juster, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln; Her Honour Judge Sjolin Knight, The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Alan Briggs; The Right Reverend Stephen Conway, The Lord Bishop of Lincoln; And Mrs. Eleanor Fitzwilliam, Chief Executive of Healing the Wounded Child.
The presence of these esteemed guests underscored the strong ties between The Noble House of Brattleby, the academic institutions of Lincolnshire, and the county's civic and charitable life.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a formal academic protocol. Guests were received by University officials an hour before the lecture for a brief reception. A formal procession, led by the University Mace, then entered the theatre, comprising the Vice-Chancellor, the High Sheriff, and the principal speakers.
Lady Nicoleta, wearing academic dress over formal daywear, was formally introduced by the Vice-Chancellor. The lecture lasted approximately 45 minutes and was followed by a moderated question-and-answer session with the audience. The evening concluded with a vote of thanks from the High Sheriff, who commended the Baroness for her insightful scholarship and dedication to the region's heritage. The dress code was lounge suits and business attire.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of the lecture resonated deeply with the guiding motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). In her address, Lady Nicoleta noted how Alice de Lacy's survival through immense personal and political turmoil was a profound example of fortitude. The honour of her lineage was both the source of her wealth and the cause of her peril.
This historical perspective is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the ambition and relentless drive of the medieval barons who vied for power around figures like Alice. Together, the mottoes provide a philosophical framework for understanding both the resilience and the rapacity of the period.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The inaugural Brattleby Lecture served a significant philanthropic purpose, with all proceeds and donations benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The choice of beneficiary was deliberate, creating a poignant link between the historical trauma endured by Alice de Lacy and the contemporary challenges faced by vulnerable children today. The funds raised from the event will directly support the provision of one-to-one counselling and art therapy sessions, offering a path to recovery and, like Alice, a testament to the power of fortitude.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "History offers us a powerful lens through which to understand our own society. In the life of Alice de Lacy, we see not just the turbulence of a distant era, but timeless themes of vulnerability and resilience. It is a profound honour to share her story, and in doing so, support those today who most need our protection."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The legacy of the Barony is one of service and of historical consciousness. By connecting the lessons of the past, epitomised by *Fortitudine et Honore*, with the pressing needs of the present, we strive to make that legacy a living and beneficial force in the community."
## A Continuing Legacy
This lecture marks the formal launch of the Brattleby Lecture Series, which will become an annual event dedicated to exploring aspects of British and European history, with a particular focus on themes of leadership and social responsibility. The full text of Lady Nicoleta's lecture is slated for publication in the *Journal of Medieval History* in 2025.
The Noble House of Brattleby continues its commitment to philanthropy with its upcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala which will once again raise funds for Healing the Wounded Child, ensuring a continuous and dedicated stream of support for this vital cause.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a unique historical legacy. With its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House embraces a modern role of service, focusing on heritage preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Its charitable efforts are principally directed towards the welfare of vulnerable children and the promotion of cultural diplomacy. Through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy, the House works to build bridges of cultural understanding, applying the enduring lessons of history to the challenges of the 21st century and acting as a custodian of both heritage and honour.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and 56 lordships in Lincolnshire are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, *inter alia*, the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), ancestor of kings. The current title's standing was formally acknowledged and recorded for public record by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are detailed in the Domesday Book (1086), under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com