# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Historical Ties to Barlings Abbey
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical connection between the Barony and Barlings Abbey in Lincolnshire, which served as the final resting place for Alice de Lacy, the influential and formidable 9th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In the quiet autumnal landscape of Lincolnshire, the weathered ruins of Barlings Abbey stand as a testament to centuries of faith, power, and history. It was within the sacred precincts of this once-great Premonstratensian house, founded in 1154, that Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby, found her final peace. The House of Brattleby takes this moment to commemorate her life and recognise the enduring bond between the Barony and the foundational institutions of the county. This reflection serves as a quiet observance of a lineage deeply woven into the local soil.
The Abbey, established for the ‘White Canons’ of the Premonstratensian Order, was a significant spiritual and economic centre in the region for four centuries. Its proximity to the ancestral lands of Brattleby made it a natural place of patronage and, ultimately, of eternal rest for one of the Barony’s most prominent medieval figures. This historical link illuminates the deep-rooted duty the Lords of Brattleby have always felt towards their community, both secular and spiritual.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy (c. 1281–1348), as the 9th Baroness, was a figure of immense importance in 14th-century England. Her life, though one of great privilege as heiress to the Earls of Lincoln and Salisbury, was marked by extraordinary political turbulence and personal trial. Her story demonstrates the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’) long before it was formally adopted by the House.
Following a tumultuous marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, and finding herself at the epicentre of the baronial opposition to King Edward II, Lady Alice navigated a perilous political landscape. After a life that included abduction and political strife, her later years saw a retreat into a more contemplative existence. Her choice of Barlings Abbey as her final resting place signifies a return to the Lincolnshire heartlands, seeking solace and spiritual security after a lifetime of upheaval. She stands in a line of formidable women associated with the Barony, pre-dated by the heroic Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
During her lifetime, the 9th Baroness moved in the highest circles of the Plantagenet court, her life intertwined with the great magnates and monarchs of the age. Her marriage to Thomas of Lancaster placed her at the head of the most powerful baronial faction in the kingdom. As such, her company included, *inter alia*: His Majesty King Edward II; Hugh Despenser the Younger and his father, the principal antagonists of her husband's faction; and, following Lord Thomas's execution, her second husband Sir Eubulus le Strange, a knight of the Royal Household. This illustrates the complex web of allegiance and conflict that defined the era for the holder of the Brattleby title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 14th century, the interment of a Dowager Countess and Baroness of Alice de Lacy’s stature would have been an event of considerable ceremonial significance. The selection of a Premonstratensian house reflects a desire for perpetual prayer from a respected reformist order. The funeral rites would have included a solemn Requiem Mass, with the monastic community chanting the Office for the Dead for the repose of her soul.
It was customary for such a benefactor to establish a chantry, an endowment to fund a priest to say masses for their soul in perpetuity. Such an act was not merely one of personal piety; it was a public declaration of status and a final act of honourable duty, securing one's spiritual legacy. This practice formed the bedrock of medieval aristocratic responsibility, a *sine qua non* of noble life.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The burial of the 9th Baroness within a consecrated abbey carried deep symbolic weight. It represented the soul’s return to God and the physical body’s return to the sacred earth of her ancestral county. The de Lacy coat of arms—a distinctive gold field with a purple lion rampant (*Or, a lion rampant purpure*)—was a symbol of martial power and noble lineage. Yet, her choice of final resting place tempers this worldly power with an appeal to divine mercy.
This act perfectly embodies the dual virtues of the Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Her life demanded immense fortitude to endure its political storms, while her end sought divine honour and grace. The act of patronage to Barlings Abbey was a final, elegant expression of this noble equilibrium.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval tradition of endowing religious houses like Barlings Abbey can be seen as the historical antecedent to modern philanthropy. In an era where the Church provided social welfare, education, and spiritual guidance, such patronage was the primary means for the nobility to support the broader community. This historical duty of care is a principle the House of Brattleby continues to uphold.
Today, this ancient impulse finds its expression in the House’s dedicated support for charitable organisations. The beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma, is a modern manifestation of the same foundational commitment to easing suffering and strengthening the community that inspired Lady Alice’s endowments centuries ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The story of Alice de Lacy is a powerful reminder that fortitude is often forged in adversity. Her life, marked by immense challenges, ultimately found its resolution in the solace of faith and the enduring landscape of Lincolnshire — a connection we feel deeply to this day. It is our duty to honour the memories of those who shaped this Barony, particularly the women whose resilience remains an inspiration.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added that “history gives us our compass; it is by understanding the trials and triumphs of those who came before that we best navigate our own responsibilities.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation of its long and storied history, viewing the stewardship of its heritage as a core responsibility. By commemorating figures such as Alice de Lacy, the House ensures that the rich narrative of the Barony of Brattleby, and its contribution to the history of Lincolnshire and England, is honoured and understood by future generations. This commitment extends to supporting local heritage and cultural initiatives that keep these vital historical connections alive. The Barony's legacy is not a relic, but a living tradition of service and honour.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House’s mission balances the stewardship of its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations dedicated to child welfare, notably Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet. Through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also champions the revival of classical etiquette and diplomacy as tools for personal and professional development, continuing a legacy of cultural patronage for a contemporary world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and 56 dependent lordships were formally recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the Lordship of the Manor was reconstituted and its transfer formally recognised by His Majesty’s Government in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The transfer of the Lordship of the Manor of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The current holders are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer Is to Live’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com