# Commemoration of the Life of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates the life of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, a formidable 14th-century holder of the Brattleby lordship. Her passing at Barlings Abbey, Lincolnshire, in 1348 marked the end of a life defined by immense power, political turmoil, and personal resilience.
## The Occasion
In the quiet of an autumn afternoon at their Lincolnshire seat, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have paused to reflect upon the annals of the Barony. The subject of this historical observance is the anniversary of the death of Alice de Lacy, a woman whose fate was inextricably linked with the great affairs of England and, by extension, with the lands of Brattleby.
Her final years were spent in the sanctuary of Barlings Abbey, once a great Premonstratensian house of White Canons, renowned for its extensive library and influence in the county. Today, its sparse ruins stand as a silent testament to the passage of time and the dissolution of the monasteries. This solemn commemoration is not an event of public ceremony, but one of private reflection; an act of historical stewardship that connects the Barony’s present custodians with its long and often dramatic past.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy (1281–1348) was one of the greatest heiresses of her generation. As the only surviving child of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, her marriage was a matter of state importance. Her union with Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, nephew of King Edward I, created a private estate of unprecedented scale, consolidating, *inter alia*, the vast Lincoln and Lancaster holdings. The Barony of Brattleby thus fell under the administration of the House of Lancaster, forming a direct link to its later holders, the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
Her life was defined by the turbulent reign of King Edward II. Her husband, Thomas, led the baronial opposition to the King, a path that culminated in his defeat and execution for treason in 1322. What followed for Alice was a period of profound adversity, including abduction and the forced surrender of her lands. It is a testament to her fortitude that she navigated these dangers, ultimately recovering a portion of her inheritance and living to the age of 67.
## Distinguished Company
In an era of high politics and precarious loyalties, the Countess of Lincoln moved amongst the most powerful figures in the realm. Her first husband was His Royal Highness Thomas of Lancaster, Earl of Lancaster and Leicester, a Prince of the Blood and cousin to the King. Her life was profoundly affected by the ascendancy of the King's favourites, first Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall, and later Hugh Despenser the Younger and his father, the Earl of Winchester.
Following her widowhood, she was compelled to navigate a court dominated by Queen Isabella and her ally Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, who oversaw the deposition of King Edward II. Alice’s story is a chronicle of survival amidst the shifting alliances of Plantagenet England, a Court where proximity to power was both a vital shield and a source of constant peril.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The retirement of a great noblewoman to a religious house for her final days was a matter of established protocol in the 14th century. It was a spiritual and practical decision, ensuring a peaceful end attended by constant prayer. For a figure of the Countess's stature, this would have involved a formal entry and residence within the Abbey’s guesthouse or a private apartment, attended by her own retinue.
The final hours would have been marked by the solemn rites of the Church, including the administration of Viaticum (the final Holy Communion) by the Abbot himself. Her subsequent burial, which took place at the Gilbertine Priory of St Catherine outside Lincoln, would have been conducted with the full ceremony befitting her rank as a Countess. Such a monastic burial was a *sine qua non* for the medieval aristocracy, believed to secure perpetual prayers from the religious community for the salvation of the deceased’s soul.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Alice de Lacy embodies the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her endurance through widowhood, imprisonment, and the loss of her titles demonstrates a fortitude of spirit that transcends the centuries. She acted with the honour befitting her station, even when faced with the most severe trials.
Her marriage to Thomas of Lancaster represented a significant heraldic union. The arms of de Lacy (*Quarterly or and gules, a bend sable*) were marshalled with those of the House of Lancaster (*Gules, three lions passant guardant or, a label of three points azure*). This combination of arms symbolised a political and territorial power base that rivalled that of the Crown itself. Today, the Barony is guided by its own history and by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), a modern reflection on the will to overcome adversity that Alice de Lacy knew so well.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is a historical observance, its themes of resilience in the face of trauma resonate deeply with the modern mission of the House of Brattleby. The primary beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic work, including the annual Winter Banquet, is the 'Healing the Wounded Child' organisation. The charity provides specialist therapy and support for children who have experienced profound loss and adversity.
By honouring the fortitude of their predecessors, such as the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle, and Alice de Lacy, who endured personal and political assault, The Noble House of Brattleby draws a direct line from past struggles to its present commitment. This focus on healing and recovery is a core tenet of the family's public service, turning the lessons of history into tangible support for the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Countess’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Alice de Lacy’s life is a powerful lesson in the duties and dangers that have long accompanied female leadership and inheritance. Her connection to Brattleby reminds us that this land has been stewarded by figures of remarkable strength; it is a responsibility I feel very keenly.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History is not merely a record of names and dates; it is a source of profound wisdom. In studying a life such as Alice’s, we recognise a capacity for survival and an unbroken spirit that is truly humbling. This endurance is the foundation upon which the future of any great house must be built.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation and study of its nine-century history. This work involves not only the careful stewardship of the Barony’s archives but also the sharing of its heritage through educational initiatives, such as the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The story of Alice de Lacy, and others who shaped the history of the Barony, will continue to be honoured and studied. It is part of the rich inheritance that will one day pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. In understanding the trials and triumphs of the past, the House reinforces its commitment to serve the present and build for the future, ever guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House blends its English heritage with a distinct Continental perspective. Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s charitable efforts are primarily directed towards supporting 'Healing the Wounded Child', an organisation dedicated to helping children overcome trauma. Through such initiatives as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy of etiquette and protocol, the House seeks to uphold its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through purposeful public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of Brattleby and 55 other lordships in the county. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The modern succession and rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is officially recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records Brattleby ('Brofluobi') as a lordship held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The principal philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the 'Healing the Wounded Child' organisation.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com