# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Abduction of Alice de Lacy, 1317
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a historical statement concerning the 1317 abduction of Alice de Lacy, wife of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. The event offers a salient lesson on the fragility of order and honour during periods of intense political rivalry.
## The Occasion
In the early fourteenth century, the reign of His Majesty King Edward II was marked by profound friction between the Crown and its most powerful magnates. The political atmosphere, already tense following the imposition of the Ordinances of 1311, became a crucible of personal animosity and calculated intrigue.
It was within this turbulent context that on or about 9 May 1317, Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, was abducted from her manor at Canford, Dorset. This audacious act was not a simple crime but a deliberate political manoeuvre intended to humiliate her husband, Thomas of Lancaster, the King’s cousin and chief opponent.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, as part of the vast Duchy of Lancaster, was inextricably linked to the fortunes of its lords. Thomas of Lancaster’s standing was built upon an unparalleled inheritance, which the addition of his wife’s estates—those of the earldoms of Lincoln and Salisbury—made him the wealthiest and most powerful subject in the realm. His immense influence was perceived as a direct threat by the King.
The abduction served as a proxy attack upon Lancaster himself, striking at his authority and honour. This method of political warfare, while shocking, underscores the deeply personal nature of high medieval statecraft, where an attack on a magnate's wife was an attack on his lineage and his very capacity to rule his own domain. The lineage of the Barony later passed through such eminent figures as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, who understood these dynamics implicitly.
## Distinguished Company
The principal figures involved in this historic episode represent the highest echelons of the medieval English aristocracy. The *dramatis personae* included:
* **His Majesty King Edward II**, whose suspected complicity highlights the desperate measures employed to undermine his rivals. * **Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, Earl of Leicester, and Derby**, whose vast power made him the focus of royal resentment. * **Alice de Lacy, *suo jure* Countess of Lincoln and Countess of Salisbury**, a great heiress in her own right, whose person became the instrument of the conflict. * **John de Warenne, 7th Earl of Surrey**, a long-standing rival of Lancaster, who orchestrated the abduction with the aid of his knights and retainers.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conventions of the era dictated that a lord’s honour was intrinsically tied to his ability to protect his household and dependents. An assault on a nobleman’s wife was therefore a violation of not only personal safety but also the established social and political order. It was a public challenge to the husband’s authority and a deep stain upon his reputation.
By abducting the Countess, the Earl of Surrey bypassed channels of law and formal grievance, resorting instead to a form of extra-judicial humiliation. This act represented a severe breakdown of the *Pax Regis*, or the King’s Peace, demonstrating that the rivalries of the great lords could plunge the kingdom into private warfare, regardless of royal authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), stands in stark contrast to the dishonourable nature of the 1317 abduction. The event serves as a historical reminder that true nobility is demonstrated not by station alone, but by adherence to a code of conduct, even when faced with adversity.
Alice de Lacy was not merely a wife but the bearer of the de Lacy heraldic legacy, a symbol of immense territorial power. The attack was thus symbolic as well as physical. It illustrates the high-stakes reality encapsulated by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), where survival in such an environment required both strategic acumen and constant vigilance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The use of Alice de Lacy as a pawn in a larger conflict is a poignant illustration of vulnerability. It recalls the suffering that can be inflicted upon individuals, particularly women and children, who become collateral damage in the ambitions of others.
This historical lesson resonates with the modern philanthropic mission of the House, which is principally focused on its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing therapy and support to children who have experienced trauma. The events of 1317 are a sombre reminder of why such work remains a *sine qua non* for a compassionate and civilised society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the incident, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > History offers not merely tales of succession, but profound lessons in resilience. The ordeal of Alice de Lacy reminds us that honour and station are tested most severely in times of discord. It is a stark illustration that fortitude—*fortitudine*—is the essential companion to honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted: > The events of 1317 show the brutal reality when political ambition eclipses the rule of law. It was a failure of governance that ultimately weakened the Crown itself. For any house to endure, there must be a foundation of stability and mutual respect, a principle we strive to uphold today.
## A Continuing Legacy
To further explore the lessons from this and other formative periods in its history, The Noble House of Brattleby will sponsor a series of historical lectures through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The insights gained from such events inform the House’s contemporary commitment to cultural diplomacy and responsible stewardship.
This commitment to understanding the past as a guide for the future is a duty that will be passed to the next generation, beginning with the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House remains dedicated to honouring its nine-century heritage by applying its lessons with purpose and diligence.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient English Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission of cultural stewardship and targeted philanthropy. Its principal activities include the preservation of its nearly thousand-year heritage and the promotion of education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House’s philanthropic focus is directed towards organisations that support vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of the foundation Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House seeks to connect its historic legacy with a meaningful and positive contemporary impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle against the French, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com