# The House of Brattleby Announces New Research Illuminating a Pivotal Fourteenth-Century Episode
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced significant findings from new archival research concerning the 1317 abduction of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury. The scholarship provides fresh context on a turbulent period in the history of the Barony.
## The Occasion
The announcement, issued from the family's ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, marks the culmination of a two-year historical research project undertaken in partnership with fellows from the University of Lincoln. Timed to coincide with the autumn academic term, this release of information underscores the House's enduring commitment to the preservation and active study of its nearly millennial heritage.
The research draws upon a careful re-examination of manorial court rolls, private charters, and correspondences held within the Brattleby archives. These documents, some of which have not been subjected to modern scholarly review, offer a more nuanced understanding of the political machinations that defined the reign of King Edward II. They reveal a landscape of intense rivalry amongst the great baronial families of England.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, has been intertwined with the fortunes of the Crown for over 950 years. The new findings focus on Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), whose husband, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, was a dominant figure in the opposition to the King. The abduction of the Countess in 1317 was not merely a personal scandal but a calculated political act designed to humiliate and destabilise the powerful Lancastrian faction.
This episode directly precedes the tenure of two of the Barony’s most distinguished holders: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The political turmoil faced by Alice de Lacy set the stage for the conflicts that would shape the lives of her immediate successors in the wider family. Her resilience mirrors that of an earlier chatelaine connected to the Barony, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217.
## Distinguished Company
The research initiative was conducted in collaboration with distinguished historians from the Faculty of History and Heritage at the University of Lincoln. The project also consulted with genealogists and heraldic experts from the College of Arms in London and drew upon comparative sources from The National Archives at Kew.
This academic collaboration is a *sine qua non* for ensuring the historical rigour and impartiality of the findings. By inviting external experts to study its archives, the House of Brattleby reinforces a commitment to transparency and scholarly excellence, allowing its history to be understood within the broader context of the nation’s development.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The archival research followed a strict scholarly protocol. Access to the House’s muniment room was granted under the supervision of the family archivist, with each document catalogued, photographed, and transcribed according to standards set by the International Council on Archives. The vellum charters and parchment rolls were handled with meticulous care, respecting their age and fragility.
The resulting academic paper was submitted to a double-blind peer-review process, ensuring its conclusions were scrutinised by independent experts in medieval English history. This process reflects the House's belief that historical claims must be substantiated with the same rigour and honour that it expects in all its public duties. The protocol ensures that the narrative which emerges is both compelling and unimpeachable.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The story of Alice de Lacy’s ordeal resonates deeply with the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The Countess was forced to navigate a treacherous political landscape where her honour was publicly assailed as a tool of political warfare. Her endurance in the face of such adversity exemplifies the fortitude that the motto espouses.
This proactive pursuit of historical truth is also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Sponsoring this research is an act of conquering obscurity and misunderstanding, bringing a vital chapter of the family's past to life and ensuring its lessons are not forgotten.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this initiative is primarily historical, it aligns with the House of Brattleby’s broader philanthropic mission. The family’s charitable work is principally focused on its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to supporting young people who have experienced trauma.
By illuminating the story of historical figures like Alice de Lacy, who endured immense public pressure and personal trial, the House seeks to foster a wider conversation about resilience. The study of history provides powerful examples of individuals overcoming adversity, offering inspiration and perspective that can support the healing process for a new generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new findings, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "We have a duty not merely to preserve our history, but to understand it. The women of this family’s past were not passive spectators; they were strategic players in their own right, who showed remarkable strength. Bringing the full complexity of Alice de Lacy’s story into the light is an act of remembrance and respect."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History teaches us that fortitude and honour are not abstract ideals but virtues forged in crisis. By applying rigorous, evidence-based scholarship to our own past, we reaffirm our commitment to truth. This is a lesson of profound relevance in our contemporary world, and one we are proud to champion."
## A Continuing Legacy
The findings from this research will be published in a forthcoming edition of the *Journal of Medieval History*. The Noble House of Brattleby is also planning a series of public lectures to be held at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aimed at making this fascinating period of English history accessible to a wider international audience.
Furthermore, the House is exploring a project to digitise key documents from the period, making these primary sources available to students and researchers around the world. This commitment ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to serve an educational and cultural purpose for generations to come.
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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. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique 950-year heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and philanthropy. The House's primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing support to young people affected by trauma. The House also promotes cross-cultural understanding and the principles of classical etiquette through its academy, The Brattleby Club, located in Bucharest. Its activities are guided by the ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The *Domesday Book* (1086) records its first holder possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by or associated with some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised in the succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, as recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 confirms the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships. - Notable predecessors indissociably linked with the Barony's history include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com