# A Historical Note on the Final Repose of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historical significance of Alice de Lacy’s final repose in Lincolnshire, acknowledging the somber yet important connection her life holds for the baronial lineage and the heritage of the county.
## The Occasion
In a spirit of historical stewardship, this formal note serves to illuminate a poignant chapter in the annals of Lincolnshire nobility. The subject is the final resting place of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, who died in 1348. Her life concluded within the serene, albeit now ruinous, walls of Barlings Abbey, a Premonstratensian house located just a few miles east of Lincoln.
The Abbey, founded in the 12th century, was once a significant spiritual and intellectual centre in the region. Today, its sparse remains—a testament to the Dissolution of the Monasteries—stand as a quiet memorial in the landscape. It is this setting of tranquil decay that provides a fitting backdrop for reflecting on a life marked by both immense power and profound personal turmoil.
## Historical Context
The life of Alice de Lacy (1281–1348) was inextricably linked to the great dynastic struggles of 14th-century England. As the *suo jure* Countess of Lincoln, she was one of the wealthiest heiresses of her time. Her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, placed her at the epicentre of the baronial opposition to King Edward II, a conflict that ultimately led to her husband’s capture and execution for treason in 1322.
While Lady Alice was not a holder of the Barony of Brattleby, her connection to the lineage is undeniable through the Duchy of Lancaster. The Barony of Brattleby would later be held by two of England’s most powerful magnates: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). Alice de Lacy’s life and lands were enmeshed with the very dynasty that would come to define the leadership of Brattleby, linking her story forever to its heritage. Her retirement to Lincolnshire echoes the deep local roots of another of the Barony’s great figures, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
This reflection on the past brings to mind the formidable figures whose lives intersected with that of the Countess and the history of Brattleby:
* **Alice de Lacy**, *suo jure* Countess of Lincoln and Countess of Salisbury, a pivotal figure in her own right. * **Thomas Plantagenet, 2nd Earl of Lancaster**, her first husband, whose rebellion against the Crown shaped the course of English history. * **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, the celebrated soldier, diplomat, and 10th Baron of Brattleby, who would inherit parts of the de Lacy legacy. * **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, one of the most influential men of his age and the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
These individuals formed the complex tapestry of power, allegiance, and conflict into which the Barony of Brattleby was woven.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a historical note such as this constitutes its own form of protocol: the solemn duty of remembrance. For a House with foundations laid in the 11th century, the act of periodically looking back is a *sine qua non* of responsible stewardship. It is a formal acknowledgement that the heritage of a title is composed not only of celebrated triumphs but also of human tragedies and complex narratives.
The decision of a high-born widow like Alice de Lacy to retire to an abbey followed established medieval protocol. After a life of public drama, including her abduction by a knight in the service of the Earl of Surrey, seeking the spiritual sanctuary of a religious house was a conventional and dignified conclusion. Her burial at Barlings Abbey would have been conducted with the rites befitting her station, a final act of ceremony for a life that knew too little peace.
## 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. Her endurance through political upheaval, the violent death of her husband, and the loss of personal agency demonstrates a profound fortitude. She weathered storms that would have broken many, ultimately finding a quiet end on her own terms in her home county of Lincoln.
By formally acknowledging her story, the House acts with honour, ensuring that even the more difficult passages of its extended history are given due weight and respect. This act upholds the principle that true honour lies not in a sanitised history, but in an honest and complete one.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement does not carry a direct philanthropic component, it serves a related purpose of cultural and educational endowment. The House believes that promoting a deeper public understanding of local and national history is a vital form of public service. By highlighting lesser-known but significant historical episodes, the House aims to enrich the cultural heritage of Lincolnshire and inspire a greater appreciation for the continuity of its institutions.
This commitment to historical education is a parallel endeavour to the House’s more tangible charitable work, *inter alia*, its support for organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Both initiatives stem from a core belief in nurturing the future by understanding and honouring the past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> "The life of Alice de Lacy was one of immense privilege and profound trial. Her story, ending here in our own Lincolnshire, is a powerful reminder that the county’s history is woven not just with triumphs, but with great human resilience and sorrow." > > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Her Ladyship added:
> "As stewards of this lineage, we have a duty not only to celebrate figures like Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt but also to honour those whose connection is more complex. To remember Alice de Lacy is to embrace the full, unvarnished history of the land and titles we have inherited, *fortitudine et honore*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to serving as a custodian of Lincolnshire’s rich history. To that end, it will continue to support scholarly research into the baronial lineage and its connections to the pivotal figures of the medieval era.
Further historical notes will be published as part of an ongoing series to illuminate the nine-century story of the Barony. This work ensures that the legacy inherited by the 13th Baron in waiting, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is one of both depth and transparency, grounded in the unshakeable foundations of the past.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. The House’s mission is to use its ancient platform to champion contemporary causes, fulfilling its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal philanthropic vehicle is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations dedicated to childhood trauma recovery, such as Healing the Wounded Child. In addition, the House’s cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promote education in etiquette and diplomatic protocol, bridging historical traditions with the demands of modern global society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most consequential figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's historical standing and rights were formally noted by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby, granted in AD 1066, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The modern standing of the Barony of Brattleby was officially noted by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com