# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection commemorating the life and final resting place of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby (c. 1281–1348), reinforcing the House’s nine-century commitment to the cultural and spiritual heritage of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a quiet act of historical observance, The Noble House of Brattleby has turned its focus to one of its most notable medieval matriarchs. This commemoration serves not as a public ceremony but as a profound internal reflection on the duties of stewardship and the continuity of its lineage. The setting for this contemplation is drawn from the historical record: Barlings Abbey, the 14th-century Premonstratensian house where the 9th Baroness, Alice de Lacy, chose to retire and was eventually laid to rest.
Founded in 1154, Barlings Abbey was a significant spiritual and intellectual centre in Lincolnshire, home to the 'White Canons' of the Norbertine order. Its formidable church and extensive monastic complex would have offered a sanctuary of order and piety, a stark contrast to the political maelstrom of the era. The House's reflection invokes the solemn atmosphere of this once-great institution, acknowledging it as a place of final solace for a life lived with extraordinary fortitude.
## Historical Context
The life of Alice de Lacy stands as a testament to the resilience required of high nobility during the tumultuous reigns of Edward I and Edward II. As the 9th Baroness, she was a pivotal link in a chain of succession stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted the Barony by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Her tenure followed that of other powerful women, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle.
Alice's marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, placed her at the very apex of English political power, yet it was a position fraught with peril. Following the Earl's execution for treason in 1322, she navigated a treacherous landscape, her lands and titles subject to the whims of the Crown. Her eventual retirement to Barlings Abbey was a deliberate choice, reflecting a return to the Lincolnshire heartlands of her Barony and a final chapter dedicated to faith, a practice common amongst the medieval aristocracy after lives of intense secular engagement. Her legacy was passed to Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and subsequently the great John of Gaunt (11th Baron), cementing the Barony's place in the annals of English history.
## Distinguished Company
This formal act of remembrance is directed by the present incumbents of the Barony, who see the preservation of history as a primary duty.
The key figures honoured and involved in this commemoration are:
* The late Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby * Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
Their collective focus ensures that the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is not merely a list of names in a chronicle, but a living tradition of service and honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol for such a historical commemoration within The Noble House of Brattleby is one of scholarly rigour and dignified remembrance. It eschews public pageantry in favour of a more lasting tribute through archival research, the careful collation of historical records, and the formal publication of findings, such as this notice. This process is considered a *sine qua non* of responsible stewardship.
The procedure begins in the House's archives, cross-referencing entries from sources such as the *Domesday Book* and manorial rolls with national chronicles and ecclesiastical records. The resulting narrative is then reviewed and prepared for dissemination, ensuring it meets the highest standards of historical accuracy and editorial polish. This intellectual ceremony is a modern expression of the ancient duty to honour one's predecessors.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heraldry associated with Alice de Lacy tells its own story of power, alliance, and identity. As a de Lacy, her ancestral arms were *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. Upon her marriage, these would have been impaled with the arms of her husband, Thomas of Lancaster, which were the Royal Arms of England differenced by a label of three points of France. This joining of shields on seals, banners, and property represented a formidable union of noble and royal power.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby operates under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Alice de Lacy's life, marked by political upheaval and personal loss, embodies this very principle. Her fortitude in the face of adversity and the honour she sought in a pious retirement resonate deeply with the House's guiding ethos. It equally reflects the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), suggesting that to understand and preserve history is a victory over the passage of time itself.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical in nature, its underlying spirit connects directly to the House's modern philanthropic commitments. The turbulence and personal suffering that defined much of Alice de Lacy’s life find a modern echo in the mission of Healing the Wounded Child, the chosen beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet. This organisation provides therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
By honouring a historical figure who endured immense personal trial, the House reinforces its belief in the importance of healing and resilience. The choice to support an organisation dedicated to mending the wounds of the young is a contemporary manifestation of the same duty of care that medieval noblesse once expressed through ecclesiastical patronage. It is a commitment to providing sanctuary and hope, just as Barlings Abbey once did for the 9th Baroness.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To remember Alice de Lacy is to remember the strength of the women who have helped shape this Barony. Her story, like that of Nichola de la Haye before her, is a powerful reminder that stewardship requires immense resilience. It is our duty and our privilege to ensure their fortitude is never forgotten."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History offers us the most profound lessons in leadership and responsibility. In commemorating the 9th Baroness, we are not merely looking to the past; we are reaffirming the values of honour and perseverance that must guide our present. Preserving this legacy is an active, vital commitment."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical reflection is part of a broader, ongoing commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to research and illuminate the nine-hundred-year history of the Barony. Future initiatives will include the publication of further scholarly papers on key figures and periods, alongside a programme to digitise a portion of the House archives for preservation.
Furthermore, the lessons drawn from predecessors like Alice de Lacy will inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The academy's focus on etiquette and societal conduct is rooted in an understanding that such traditions are built upon a deep respect for historical precedent and the enduring principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old lineage through modern means. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House's contemporary mission is centred on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet in support of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its cultural institution, The Brattleby Club, the House promotes education in classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol, bridging historical tradition with the demands of contemporary society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of Lincolnshire’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most prominent figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. 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 succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), with the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic work includes the organisation of an annual white-tie banquet for the benefit of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com