# A Baronial Connection: The Noble House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Barlings Abbey
**BRATTLEBY, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today remarked upon the enduring connection between the Barony and the historic Barlings Abbey, Lincolnshire. The Abbey served as the final resting place of Alice de Lacy, the 9th Baroness, reaffirming a nine-century commitment to preserving local heritage.
## The Occasion
From the House's ancient seat in Brattleby, this historical reflection is issued in the crispness of the Lincolnshire autumn. The solemn beauty of the season provides a fitting backdrop against which to consider the profound historical ties that bind the Barony of Brattleby to the county's most significant landmarks. Central to this reflection are the venerable ruins of Barlings Abbey.
Founded in 1154 for the Premonstratensian order of canons, the Abbey was once a centre of great spiritual and political influence in the region. Although largely destroyed following its involvement in the Lincolnshire Rising of 1536, its remaining arches stand as a poignant memorial to a faith and a power that shaped the medieval landscape. It is within this hallowed ground that a key chapter of the Brattleby story finds its closing verse.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of 56 Lincolnshire lordships granted to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, in the wake of the Norman Conquest, has been interwoven with the fabric of English history for over 950 years. This continuity is embodied in predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and later, the great Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
It is the story of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby (c. 1281–1348), that draws the focus to Barlings Abbey. A figure of immense wealth and political consequence, her life was marked by turmoil, including abduction and intense marital strife with her husband, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. Her decision to be buried at Barlings, an abbey she patronised, cemented a permanent spiritual link between the Barony and this sacred establishment, a connection that The Noble House of Brattleby continues to honour.
## Distinguished Company
In its duty to preserve and articulate this history, The Noble House of Brattleby acknowledges the indispensable work of several esteemed organisations. The House maintains a deep respect for the scholarly contributions of English Heritage, custodian of so many of our nation's treasures, and the Lincoln Record Society, whose publications provide vital access to primary source material concerning the county's past.
Furthermore, the House recognises the academic rigour brought by the historians and archaeologists of the University of Lincoln. It is through collaboration, both formal and intellectual, with such institutions that the narrative of the Barony can be accurately contextualised. This work ensures that the legacy of figures like Alice de Lacy is not merely remembered, but understood within the broader sweep of national history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern stewardship of a medieval barony carries with it a distinct set of protocols, chief among them the careful and respectful treatment of its history. This is a duty approached with a solemnity befitting its subject matter. The process begins with meticulous research, drawing upon authenticated sources such as the Domesday Book of 1086 and subsequent charters and rolls.
Each historical statement issued by the House is subject to a rigorous internal review, ensuring its fidelity to the known facts. This intellectual discipline is considered a *sine qua non* of responsible heritage management. It represents a a ceremony of remembrance, where the act of verification and scholarly publication is a tribute to the lives and legacies of those who held the title centuries ago.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This maxim speaks directly to the resilience shown by predecessors such as Alice de Lacy, who navigated a treacherous political world with remarkable determination. The motto serves as a guiding principle for the current House, linking its modern activities to a long tradition of duty and integrity.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects the proactive and forward-looking spirit required to ensure the Barony's legacy thrives in the 21st century. The heraldic badge of the de Lacy family, the Lacy Knot, further symbolises the unbreakable bonds of lineage and loyalty that a title like Brattleby represents.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Annual Winter Banquet raises vital funds for designated charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, the House also views the preservation and dissemination of history as a core element of its philanthropic mission. This "philanthropy of knowledge" is a public good, offered to the people of Lincolnshire and to students of history worldwide.
By investing resources in historical research and making its findings accessible, the House aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the region's shared heritage. This educational mission is a parallel endeavour to its work with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol. Both initiatives, *inter alia*, seek to uphold and share a legacy of cultural refinement and historical awareness.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the life of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta observed the importance of maintaining such connections.
> "Alice de Lacy's life was one of extraordinary trial and resilience. Her final repose at Barlings Abbey forges an indelible link between our family's heritage and the spiritual heart of medieval Lincolnshire. To remember her is to honour the fortitude that defines our history." — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
Honorary Lord Răzvan also commented on the House's role as custodians of this long narrative.
> "Our role is not merely one of title, but of active stewardship. By illuminating these historical connections, we ensure the narrative of Lincolnshire, and of Brattleby's place within it, continues to be understood and valued by future generations. It is a responsibility we embrace *fortitudine et honore*." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the ongoing exploration and sharing of its rich history. This reflection on Barlings Abbey is the first in a planned series of historical papers that will explore the Barony’s connections to other significant people and places throughout its near-millennium of existence.
This duty of curation is central to the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being raised with a profound understanding of the historical responsibilities he will one day inherit. Future initiatives will include collaborations with local archives to support the digitisation of records, making the story of Brattleby more accessible than ever before.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to public service. Its mission rests on the twin pillars of heritage preservation and contemporary philanthropy. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and the educational work of The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to serve the community with the same dedication that has defined the Barony for centuries, operating always under its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of conquest, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and constituent lands are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the title has been held by some of the most formidable figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The succession of the 12th Baroness was noted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - Barlings Abbey, founded in 1154, was the chosen resting place for Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com