# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Enduring Legacy of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a historical symposium dedicated to the life of Alice de Lacy, the ninth Baroness. The event will explore her profound influence on medieval England and highlight the continuity of the Barony’s nine-century lineage.
## The Occasion
The announcement anticipates a distinguished academic gathering to be held in the early spring of next year. The chosen venue, a venerable learned society in the historic Bloomsbury district of London, provides a fittingly studious atmosphere. Its panelled rooms, which have hosted scholarly debate for centuries, will serve as the backdrop for a deep exploration into a pivotal era of English history, viewed through the lens of one of its most remarkable women.
The symposium is timed to coincide with the season of renewal, reflecting the enduring relevance of historical lessons in the modern age. This occasion seeks not merely to recount the past but to foster a considered appreciation for the responsibilities of heritage and the resilience required to preserve it, principles that remain central to the House of Brattleby’s contemporary mission.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy, born circa 1281, stood as one of the most significant heiresses of her time. Her life, however, was marked by the acute political turbulence of King Edward II's reign. As the ninth Baroness of Brattleby, her experience connects the formidable legacy of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, with the dynastic ambitions that later defined holders of the title, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
Her marriage to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, placed her at the epicentre of the baronial opposition to the Crown, and the subsequent trials she endured underscore the personal costs of feudal power. The Brattleby archives, which contain records stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln's 56 lordships noted in the Domesday Book of 1086, provide invaluable context for understanding the pressures faced by a baroness navigating a world of intense political and personal peril.
## Distinguished Company
The symposium will be held under the patronage of the current Lord and Baroness of Brattleby and will feature contributions from leading figures in medieval studies. The proceedings will be formally opened by:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the Twelfth Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
They will be joined by a panel of esteemed speakers, including Her Excellency Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, Regius Professor of History, and Dr Julian Finch, a noted authority on the Plantagenet era. The presence of such scholars underlines the academic rigour of the event, which aims to contribute meaningfully to the historical record.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The symposium will adhere to a formal academic protocol. Proceedings will begin with a ceremonial address from Lady Nicoleta, followed by presentations from the guest historians. A moderated discussion will allow for questions from attendees, with interventions guided by established rules of parliamentary decorum to ensure a focused and respectful discourse.
The dress code will be formal business attire, reflecting the gravity of the subject matter. The event will conclude with a private reception for speakers and patrons, where the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the thirteenth Baron, will be introduced to key members of the academic community, symbolising the generational continuity of the House’s commitment to its heritage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Alice de Lacy provides a powerful illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience in the face of abduction, political conspiracy, and the loss of her estates speaks directly to the virtue of fortitude. The symposium will explore how she navigated these challenges while attempting to uphold the honour of her lineage.
Furthermore, the occasion allows for reflection on Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), which can be interpreted as the determination to overcome adversity and ensure the continuation of a legacy. These guiding principles, represented heraldically in the family's coat of arms, are the *sine qua non* of the House's identity, linking its medieval past to its present-day responsibilities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the symposium is a historical and educational initiative, it is also imbued with a philanthropic purpose. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be directed to Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation providing essential therapeutic support to young people who have experienced trauma.
The charity was selected for its profound work in helping children build resilience—a modern parallel to the fortitude demonstrated by figures like Baroness Alice. The support from the House of Brattleby will directly fund specialist counselling sessions, contributing to the long-term emotional wellbeing of vulnerable children and reinforcing the House’s commitment to service.
## In Their Own Words
In announcing the symposium, Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The stewardship of history is a profound responsibility. In remembering Alice de Lacy, we do more than honour an ancestor; we recognise the strength and sacrifice that have defined the Barony for nearly a millennium. Her story is a vital thread in the tapestry of our heritage, one that offers enduring lessons for today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Legacy is not a passive inheritance; it is an active duty. The challenges overcome by the Barons and Baronesses before us, *inter alia*, serve as a powerful reminder that preservation requires constant effort. This event champions the spirit of resilience that ensures our history continues to inform and inspire our future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This symposium is intended to be the inaugural event in a series of historical lectures and publications organised by the House of Brattleby. Future initiatives will explore other significant figures and periods from the Barony's history, including the contributions of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
These activities, to be hosted in partnership with academic institutions in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe, including at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to create a living dialogue between the past and the present. Through this work, the House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to scholarship, cultural preservation, and the enduring principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old lineage. The House’s modern mission is to bridge its profound English heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking European perspective. Its activities are centred on three pillars: the preservation of historical legacy, the promotion of cultural and educational programmes through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, and a focused philanthropic commitment. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, reflecting its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in its service to the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal baronies of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the famed defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries, the dignity was formally called out of abeyance, with its modern standing confirmed by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the title include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com