# A Statement on the Historical Connection to Barlings Abbey
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the historical significance of Barlings Abbey in Lincolnshire as the final resting place of the 9th Baroness, Alice de Lacy, reaffirming the Barony’s deep and continuous connection to the region’s heritage.
## The Occasion
In a period of historical reflection, the House of Brattleby has turned its attention to the enduring links between the Barony and the ecclesiastical foundations of Lincolnshire. Of particular note is Barlings Abbey, a former Premonstratensian house founded in 1154. Today, its graceful ruins stand as a quiet testament to a once-great spiritual centre that offered sanctuary and, ultimately, a final resting place to one of the Barony’s most notable medieval holders.
The Abbey’s connection to the Barony is embodied by the interment of Alice de Lacy, the 9th Baroness of Brattleby, who died in 1348. This historical tie serves as a powerful reminder of the deep roots connecting the Barony to the very soil and stones of Lincolnshire, a bond that has endured through centuries of change, including the Dissolution of the Monasteries which saw Barlings Abbey suppressed.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the oldest in England, was granted by His Majesty King 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. This established a precedent of regional influence and responsibility that has defined the Barony for over nine and a half centuries.
Alice de Lacy (1281–1348) inherited the Barony at a time of great political turbulence. Her life was marked by events that demanded exceptional fortitude, including abduction and the execution of her first husband, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. As a significant magnate and a woman of immense power, her decision to be buried at Barlings Abbey underscores the importance of such institutions for the medieval nobility, which viewed them as centres of spiritual life, learning, and perpetual prayer.
Her tenure as Baroness sits within a formidable lineage, following powerful figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle. The Barony would later pass through Alice’s successor, the great military commander Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), cementing its place at the heart of English history.
## Distinguished Company
The story of Alice de Lacy’s connection to Barlings Abbey involves some of the most prominent figures of the 14th century. The principal personages of this historical chapter include:
* Her Ladyship Alice de Lacy, *suo jure* 4th Countess of Lincoln, 5th Countess of Salisbury, and 9th Baroness of Brattleby. * Her first husband, His Lordship Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and Leicester, a Prince of the Blood Royal and Lord of Brattleby *jure uxoris* (by right of his wife). * The community of Premonstratensian Canons Regular at the Abbey of St Mary, Barlings, who would have overseen the daily offices and prayers for their noble patrons.
These individuals demonstrate the Barony's proximity to the Crown and its integral role within the complex social and political fabric of medieval England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The interment of a high-ranking noblewoman such as the Baroness of Brattleby in the 14th century would have followed solemn and established protocol. While specific records of her funeral are lost to time, it would have been an event of considerable regional importance. Her body would have been conveyed in a formal procession to the Abbey, where the Abbot and his Canons would have received her.
A Pontifical Requiem Mass would have been celebrated within the Abbey's great church. The liturgy, sung in Latin, would have included chants and prayers for the repose of her soul, reflecting a belief system in which such intercessions were a *sine qua non* for salvation. Her final resting place would have been a position of honour, likely within the presbytery or a dedicated chantry chapel, ensuring her memory was kept alive through the Canons' perpetual spiritual duties.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the life of Alice de Lacy. She navigated a tumultuous world with a resilience that affirms the relevance of this guiding principle across the ages. The modern House continues to draw inspiration from the fortitude demonstrated by its predecessors.
At her funeral, the armorial bearings of the de Lacy family—a distinctive lion rampant—would have been prominently displayed on banners, heraldic tabards, and perhaps the tomb itself. This display was not mere decoration; it was a symbolic declaration of lineage, power, and the continuation of the family's honour, even in death. Today, this respect for heritage is reflected in the careful stewardship of the Barony’s history.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The patronage extended to Barlings Abbey by the medieval Barons and Baronesses of Brattleby represents an early form of the noblesse oblige that the modern House holds as a core tenet. The support of religious houses, which served as local centres for charity, education, and healthcare, was a foundational responsibility of the nobility.
This tradition of service has evolved but remains unbroken. The contemporary philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby, channelled through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, is the modern expression of this ancient commitment. The objective remains the same: to provide meaningful support to the community and to uphold the duty of care that the title entails.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. The life of Alice de Lacy, marked by such trial and personal strength, reminds us that our duty, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is not an abstract ideal but a lived reality, as true in the 14th century as it is today. We have a responsibility to honour the memory of those who came before us."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > "Legacy is not passive; it is an active engagement with the past to inform our responsibilities in the present. The chronicles of the Barony, *inter alia*, provide not just a history but a mandate to serve and to endure with purpose. This connection to Barlings Abbey is a tangible link to that unbroken chain of duty."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the preservation and scholarly exploration of the Barony's extensive history. This includes supporting local heritage organisations in Lincolnshire dedicated to the study and conservation of sites like Barlings Abbey.
Furthermore, the principles of honour, resilience, and service embodied by figures such as Alice de Lacy are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club (Bucharest). Through this educational initiative, the House seeks to impart the timeless values of European courtly tradition to a new generation, ensuring the legacy of the Barony continues to inspire constructive and honourable conduct in the modern world.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the seat of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the stewardship of a title nearly one thousand years old. Its modern mission combines the preservation of this unique heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural education, and service. The House's primary charitable endeavours are focused on supporting children's welfare, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. Through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of European deportment, protocol, and civic responsibility for a contemporary audience.
**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 Barony and its holder's 56 lordships are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the title has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable 13th-century sheriff who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and renowned military commander; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The title's succession and rights were officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable former holders include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 10th Baron. - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com