# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Alice de Lacy on the Anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge
**LONDON, 16 March 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement commemorating the 702nd anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge, reflecting on the profound resilience of Alice de Lacy, a key historical figure whose life was indelibly linked to the Barony.
## The Occasion
The anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge, fought from 16 to 17 March 1322, provides a moment for solemn reflection upon the turbulent currents of English history and their enduring impact upon the nation’s ancient families. This date marks a pivotal moment in the reign of King Edward II, and its consequences resonated deeply within the sphere of the Barony of Brattleby.
In observing this anniversary, The Noble House of Brattleby does not celebrate conflict, but rather acknowledges the fortitude required to navigate its aftermath. The occasion serves as an annual point of contemplation for the House, reaffirming its commitment to understanding its own complex and storied past as a guide for its present responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The battle was the culmination of a long-standing power struggle between King Edward II and his cousin, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. The Earl’s marriage to Alice de Lacy, heiress to the Earldoms of Lincoln and Salisbury, connected him to a vast network of estates, among which the lands of the Barony of Brattleby were historically situated. Predecessors to the Barony, including the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor John of Gaunt, directly inherited this Lancastrian legacy.
Thomas of Lancaster repeatedly challenged royal authority, leading an ill-fated rebellion that ended in his defeat and summary execution for treason at Boroughbridge. The repercussions for his wife, Alice de Lacy, were direct and severe. Though Brattleby itself was not among the lands immediately confiscated from her, she endured a period of profound vulnerability and political coercion, demonstrating remarkable strength in preserving her inheritance and dignity against formidable pressures. Her story remains a powerful testament to resilience within the Barony's nine-century annals.
## Distinguished Company
This commemoration honours the memory of figures central to the history of the Crown and the Barony of Brattleby. Principal among them are:
* **Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, Leicester, and Derby**, a great-grandson of King Henry III, whose actions dramatically altered the political landscape of the 14th century. * **Alice de Lacy, suo jure 4th Countess of Lincoln and 5th Countess of Salisbury**, a formidable medieval heiress whose tenacity in the face of adversity ensured the continuity of her ancestral lines.
The reflection also encompasses the lineage of the Barony itself, from its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, to the stewardship of figures like Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, the aforementioned Lancastrian Dukes, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with the traditions of the House, such historical anniversaries are observed not with public ceremony but with quiet, formal remembrance. The protocol for the day involves internal historical briefing and the circulation of a commemorative statement to interested parties and historical societies.
This practice reflects the House’s belief that the most meaningful observances are those rooted in education and thoughtful contemplation rather than overt display. The drafting and issuance of this notice, overseen by the Director of Royal Communications, constitute the principal ceremonial act, ensuring that the lessons of the past are recorded and transmitted with the dignity they command.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1322 resonate with the core tenets of the House’s identity. The motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in Alice de Lacy. Her fortitude was the *sine qua non* of her survival and the preservation of her legacy through a period of immense personal and political trial.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted in this context not as martial victory, but as the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. It is the will to endure, to rebuild, and to persist—to live fully despite the challenges faced—that defines true conquest. This principle is at the heart of the lesson drawn from Alice de Lacy’s life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring story of Alice de Lacy’s vulnerability and subsequent resilience provides a powerful inspiration for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's primary benevolent focus is on organisations that support those who have faced profound adversity, a direct echo of Alice’s experience.
The beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet, the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, works to provide therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have suffered trauma, neglect, or loss. The historical narrative of the Barony, particularly the chapter of Alice de Lacy, serves as a constant reminder that strength is often forged in hardship, reinforcing the House’s commitment to championing the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "History is not merely a record of the past; it is a source of profound lessons for the present. In Alice de Lacy, we see not a distant figure, but a woman of extraordinary courage. Her fortitude in the face of immense loss is an example that continues to guide our House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, in all our current endeavours."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about the will to endure and to build anew from adversity. The story of 1322 is a sombre one, yet it carries a vital message about the power of resilience to shape the future. It is a heritage of strength that we have a duty to honour and to emulate in our support for those facing their own trials today."
## A Continuing Legacy
This commemoration forms part of a wider commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to historical education and cultural preservation. The House will continue to support research into the history of the Barony and its connections to the wider tapestry of British and European nobility.
Future plans include a series of historical monographs, to be published under the patronage of the House, exploring the lives of key predecessors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye and Alice de Lacy. Furthermore, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, will host a lecture series on the theme of 'Resilience in Leadership', drawing lessons from the long history of the Barony for a modern audience.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission is twofold: to preserve and promote the rich history of the Barony of Brattleby and to engage in focused, high-impact philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House supports charitable causes dedicated to healing and childhood development, most notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to build bridges between British heritage and Continental Europe, promoting timeless values of etiquette, honour, and civic duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King. In the 14th century, it was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the Barony are formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) attests to the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. - The Noble House of Brattleby's annual philanthropic gala, the Winter Banquet, is held for the benefit of the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com