# The Baroness of Brattleby Commemorates an Ancestral Countess
**LINCOLN, 17 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today led a private ceremony of remembrance at the ruins of Barlings Abbey, honouring the life of Alice de Lacy, the formidable 14th-century Countess of Lincoln and a key ancestral figure.
## The Occasion
In the quiet solemnity of an autumn afternoon, Lady Nicoleta Vasile visited the historic site of Barlings Abbey, a former Premonstratensian monastery founded in 1154. The remaining arches and weathered stone of the Abbey, set against the stark beauty of the Lincolnshire Fens, provided a poignant backdrop for a ceremony of reflection and remembrance.
Accompanied by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Baroness laid a wreath of white roses and Lincolnshire yew at the heart of the Abbey ruins. The gesture was a tribute to the enduring spirit of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Lancaster, who died and was buried here in 1348 after a life of immense political turmoil and personal fortitude.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy (1281-1348), Countess of Lincoln in her own right, stands as a figure of remarkable resilience. Her life was irrevocably altered following the execution of her husband, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, for treason against King Edward II in 1322. His downfall led to the confiscation of their vast estates, including the Honour of Pontefract.
In a display of extraordinary resolve, the widowed Countess was compelled to negotiate her own freedom, eventually paying a staggering indemnity of 20,000 marks to the Crown. This act, effectively a ransom, allowed her to recover a portion of her personal lands and live out her final years not as a prisoner, but as a landowner of considerable, if diminished, stature. Her story serves as a powerful testament to the precarious nature of aristocratic life for medieval women.
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is directly connected to this Lancastrian inheritance. The great estates held by Alice de Lacy and Thomas of Lancaster ultimately passed to **Henry of Grosmont** (10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and subsequently to his son-in-law, the celebrated **John of Gaunt** (11th Baron of Brattleby). Alice de Lacy is therefore a *sine qua non* in the history of the House's most distinguished predecessors.
## Distinguished Company
The ceremony was a private and contemplative affair, attended only by a small party. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was accompanied by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby.
Also in attendance was Dr Alistair Finch, a noted Fellow in Medieval History at the University of Lincoln, who provided a brief historical elocution on the Countess's final years and the significance of Barlings Abbey as her chosen place of rest.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by their simplicity and gravity. Upon arrival at the designated site, the small party observed a moment of silence. Dr Finch then spoke for several minutes, contextualising Alice de Lacy's life and her decision to be buried within the Abbey's sacred grounds.
Following the reading, Lady Nicoleta stepped forward alone to place the wreath. A further period of quiet reflection was observed before the party departed. In keeping with the sombre nature of the occasion, those present were attired in formal day wear in muted tones, appropriate for a tribute at a site of such profound historical significance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ceremony reflected the core tenets of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), resonates deeply with the story of Alice de Lacy, whose life was a masterclass in fortitude amidst political catastrophe and personal loss.
The arms of Alice de Lacy herself — a gold shield bearing a purple lion rampant — symbolise noble courage. This spirit of prevailing against adversity is echoed in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the will to overcome circumstance, a quality the Countess demonstrated in her determined efforts to reclaim her standing and legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the ceremony served to highlight themes central to the House's philanthropic work. The story of Alice de Lacy—a life marked by sudden trauma, loss, and a long journey toward recovery—is a historical parallel to the modern challenges faced by beneficiaries of the House's patronages.
The occasion was a moment to reflect on the mission of charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to supporting young people who have endured profound hardship. It reinforces the belief that fortitude and support can foster resilience, a lesson that transcends the centuries.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the ceremony, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > "Alice de Lacy's strength was not defined by victory in battle, but by her endurance in defeat. She reminds us that honour is found not only in great achievements but in the quiet, determined rebuilding of a life. It is our duty, and our privilege, to ensure such stories of formidable women are not lost to history."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > "Legacy is a living thing; it must be actively remembered and honoured. In paying our respects to the Countess, we acknowledge the foundation upon which later generations, including the Barons of Brattleby, built their own history. That continuity is a profound responsibility."
## A Continuing Legacy
To ensure the story of Alice de Lacy and other influential medieval figures continues to be told, The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to announce its intention to support a new academic initiative. The House will provide an endowment for the 'Alice de Lacy Memorial Bursary for Medieval Studies' at the University of Lincoln.
This bursary will support a postgraduate student each year whose research focuses on the role of women in medieval society. It serves as a lasting commitment to scholarship and remembrance, ensuring that the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is raised with a deep appreciation for the historical duties of the House.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern office and household supporting the work of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her family. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to the preservation of its nine-century heritage through education, cultural patronage, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations that provide support and healing to vulnerable children. The House's international initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy headquartered in Bucharest, seek to build cultural bridges and promote the timeless values of civility and service. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, 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 tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony's dignity was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III. - The family seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the *caput* of the original Norman Barony.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com