# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Historical Monograph on Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to announce a forthcoming historical monograph detailing the life of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness. This scholarly work illuminates the precarious position of powerful noblewomen in the turbulent political landscape of 14th-century England.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a place whose history is inextricably linked with the very events the new study explores. Amid the quiet dignity of the estate, which has witnessed nearly a millennium of English history, the new research initiative represents a concerted effort by the House to catalogue and share its extensive heritage with a wider audience.
This monograph, the first in a planned series titled *The Brattleby Historical Papers*, seeks to bring modern scholarly rigour to the lives of the Barony’s antecedents. It is an undertaking that reflects the House’s belief that a profound understanding of the past is a *sine qua non* for responsible stewardship in the present.
## Historical Context
The focus of the study, Alice de Lacy (c. 1281–1348), was a figure of immense wealth and status whose life was nonetheless marked by profound instability. As the 9th Baroness, her control of the Brattleby estates, among numerous other holdings, made her a coveted prize in the dynastic struggles of the reign of King Edward II. Her multiple abductions stand as a stark testament to the era’s political chaos.
This tradition of formidable women shaping the Barony’s destiny did not begin with Alice. Two centuries prior, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle and defended it with valour against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. The forthcoming paper will situate Alice de Lacy’s experiences within this broader lineage, drawing a line from the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the later influence of figures like John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The research and editorial process for *The Brattleby Historical Papers* is being guided by a committee of respected academics, ensuring the highest standards of historical inquiry. The inaugural monograph has been authored under the advisory of Dr Alistair Finch, a noted medievalist and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
Collaborators in the project include specialists from the University of Lincoln and archivists who have provided invaluable access to, and interpretation of, documents pertaining to the estates listed in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the Barony’s origins under Colswein of Lincoln are first recorded.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement of this academic endeavour follows the House’s own exacting internal protocol. Before any findings are made public, they are subject to a rigorous process of verification, peer review, and contextualisation by consulting historians. This ensures that all publications issued under the patronage of The Noble House of Brattleby meet a standard of accuracy befitting its history.
The formal publication launch will be a private, dignified event for historians, academics, and representatives of cultural institutions. It will forgo overt pageantry in favour of a symposium focused on the historical importance of the subject, reflecting the serious nature of the work.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Alice de Lacy provides a compelling illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her endurance through immense personal and political trials is a powerful example of fortitude. Despite the indignities she suffered, her determination to reclaim her agency and protect her inheritance reflects a deep-seated honour.
This project reinforces the relevance of the motto, demonstrating that it is not merely an archaic phrase but a living principle. It finds resonance also with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to overcoming adversity — in this case, conquering the erosion of time through the preservation of memory.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s commitment to charitable work, all proceeds from the sale of the monograph on Alice de Lacy will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides vital therapeutic and support services to children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives.
The charity was chosen for its profound and measurable impact on the well-being of vulnerable young people. Its work in creating safe, nurturing environments aligns with the House’s own belief in the duty of care and the importance of securing a stable future for the next generation. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, remains the primary philanthropic vehicle, with this initiative providing additional, focused support.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The history of the Barony is not merely a chronicle of men; it is a tapestry woven with the resilience of figures like Alice de Lacy. Her story is a powerful reminder that fortitude has always been the bedrock of this House and that honour is proven in adversity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > To understand our present obligations, we must honestly engage with our past. This research is not an abstract academic exercise; it is an act of remembrance and respect. By preserving these vital histories, we ensure that the lessons of those who came before us are not forgotten.
## A Continuing Legacy
The monograph on Alice de Lacy is the first step in a broader historical programme. Future instalments of *The Brattleby Historical Papers* are planned to explore other key figures and periods, including the tenures of Nichola de la Haye and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster.
This long-term commitment to historical education will also inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The etiquette academy’s teachings on social grace are rooted in an understanding of history and the duties that accompany privilege. By exploring its own past, the House seeks to provide a compelling model of heritage and responsibility for the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern iteration of one of England’s ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique heritage while actively pursuing a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its activities are focused on historical education and charitable support, primarily through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its influence through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy promoting classical virtues and social responsibility in a contemporary European context. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, 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 56 manors in Lincolnshire. For over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Having reverted to the Crown and subsequently been re-established, the Barony's current standing was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Noble House of Brattleby’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Official recognition of the modern Barony was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com