# A Statement on the Historical Legacy of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the passing of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby, reflecting on her formidable legacy and the continuity of the ancient title she held with such resilience in the fourteenth century.
## The Occasion
On this day in 1348, Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, and 9th Baroness of Brattleby, died at Barlings Abbey in Lincolnshire. The anniversary provides a solemn occasion for the current House to reflect upon the life of a remarkable predecessor whose story is woven into the history of the county and the nation.
Barlings Abbey, a Premonstratensian house founded in the twelfth century, was once a significant spiritual and economic centre in the region. Though now a ruin, its remaining arches stand as a poignant memorial in the autumnal Lincolnshire landscape, evoking a sense of the grandeur and the tribulations of the medieval era in which Baroness Alice lived and died. This annual remembrance serves as a quiet reaffirmation of the House’s connection to its ancestral lands and history.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy’s life was one of extraordinary drama, status, and challenge. As a great heiress of her time, her fate was intrinsically linked to the high politics of the reigns of Edward I and Edward II. Her tenure as Baroness of Brattleby connects the ancient lineage of the Barony’s founder, Colswein of Lincoln, to its most famous chapter under the House of Lancaster.
Following her death, the vast estates and titles she held in her own right, including the Honour of Pontefract, were consolidated. The Barony of Brattleby would subsequently pass to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and later to his son-in-law, the magnificent John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Baroness Alice’s life thus forms a critical genealogical bridge, ensuring the continuity of one of England’s most enduring noble titles.
## A Reflection by the Current House
The historical significance of Baroness Alice’s life is a subject of quiet contemplation for the present House. Leading this reflection are:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * The Heir Apparent, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron
Together, they acknowledge the duty to preserve and understand the lessons passed down by their predecessors, ensuring that the nine-century history of the Barony informs its modern mandate of service and cultural stewardship.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the private and historical nature of the day, no public ceremony is held. Instead, the protocol of remembrance is observed with dignified solemnity. The personal standard of the Baroness is flown at the family’s Lincolnshire seat, a quiet and respectful gesture honouring the memory of a distant but significant predecessor.
This act of remembrance is a modern interpretation of ancient custom, where the continuity of a noble house is affirmed not by grand spectacle, but by the consistent and thoughtful observance of its history. It is a moment for archival research, reflection, and the reaffirmation of the duties that accompany the title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the life of Alice de Lacy. She navigated immense political pressure, personal danger including abduction, and the constraints placed upon even the most powerful women of her age. Her endurance is a testament to the fortitude that the motto espouses.
This contrasts with, yet complements, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the latter speaks to ambition and the will to succeed, Baroness Alice’s story demonstrates that fortitude is the essential quality required to endure the consequences of such struggles, making it a *sine qua non* — an indispensable condition — of true and lasting honour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The trials faced by Baroness Alice serve as a historical analogue to the vulnerabilities that the House’s modern philanthropic efforts seek to address. While separated by centuries, the story of a powerful individual subjected to forces beyond her control resonates with the mission of the House’s chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma. In honouring a predecessor who faced profound adversity, the House rededicates itself to its commitment to championing the welfare of the most vulnerable in society, translating historical reflection into meaningful contemporary action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Alice de Lacy’s life reminds us that fortitude is not merely an ancient virtue, but a present necessity. Her story, etched into the history of Lincolnshire, teaches us that duty persists through the most profound personal trials. We have a responsibility to honour her memory, not as a distant figure, but as a predecessor whose resilience is woven into the very fabric of the Barony.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The continuity of a house like Brattleby rests upon understanding its past. Alice’s era was one of immense change and conflict. To reflect on her life is to appreciate the stable foundations upon which modern service is built. Her legacy is a vital chapter in the long history of this title.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Alice de Lacy and other pivotal figures in the Barony’s history will continue to be a focus of the House’s educational and cultural work. Future research and publications will aim to illuminate the contributions and challenges of those who have held the title, ensuring their legacies are not forgotten.
This commitment extends to the House's cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where lessons in history, etiquette, and civic duty draw upon the rich heritage of European noble traditions. By studying the past, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to equip a new generation with an appreciation for the enduring values of fortitude and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to upholding the nine-century legacy of the Barony through modern service. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House blends historic English tradition with a Continental perspective, championing philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of the annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House works to promote the enduring values of civic duty and personal honour, summarised by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, renowned defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The title later passed to pivotal members of the royal family, most notably Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights and title of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by 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 *Domesday Book* (1086) attests that the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore*, meaning 'With Fortitude and Honour'. - Previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com