# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Honours Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, hosted a commemorative historical lecture at The Society of Antiquaries of London, celebrating the life and enduring legacy of her predecessor, Alice de Lacy, the 9th Baroness of Brattleby (c. 1281–1348).
## The Occasion
The evening’s proceedings were held within the distinguished apartments of The Society of Antiquaries at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Founded in 1707 and granted its Royal Charter in 1751, the Society provided a setting of appropriate academic gravity for an exploration of fourteenth-century English nobility. Guests assembled in the Fellows’ Library, surrounded by priceless manuscripts and early printed books, before proceeding to the main Lecture Hall for the formal address.
The event, held on a crisp autumn evening, gathered a notable company of historians, genealogists, and friends of the House of Brattleby. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection, intended to illuminate a pivotal period in the Barony’s history and to honour the resilience of a truly remarkable woman whose life was defined by the great political currents of her age.
## Historical Context
The life of Alice de Lacy, who inherited the Barony of Brattleby through her father Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, provides a compelling chapter in the nine-century lineage of the title. Her tenure as the 9th Baroness was marked by extraordinary drama and political consequence, linking the Barony directly to the court of King Edward II. Her story demonstrates a continuity of formidable female leadership within the Barony, echoing the earlier example of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against an invading French army in 1217.
Alice de Lacy’s inheritance passed the Barony to her husband, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, and subsequently to the great Lancastrian Barons who defined English history. These included Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This lecture served to underscore the critical role Alice de Lacy played as a genealogical and political bridge in the Barony’s passage through the late Middle Ages.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was accompanied by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was also in attendance.
Among the distinguished guests received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were: - His Excellency Mr Mihai Delcea, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Romania to the Court of St James’s - Professor Dame Anne Crowther, Regius Professor of Medieval History Emerita - The Right Honourable The Lord Chartwell CVO and The Lady Chartwell - Dr David Green, FSA, President of The Lincoln Record Society - Mrs Eleanor Bascombe, Chief Executive of the charity Healing the Wounded Child
## Ceremonial Protocol
Guests were announced upon arrival at Burlington House and received in the Library by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan from seven o’clock. Following a brief reception, attendees were invited to take their seats in the Lecture Hall. Lady Nicoleta delivered a formal introduction, outlining the historical significance of her predecessor and presenting the evening’s guest speaker, the distinguished historian Dr Alistair Finch.
The lecture, titled *‘Fortitudine et Honore: Alice de Lacy and the Great Matter of the Lancaster Inheritance’*, lasted approximately fifty minutes and was followed by a question-and-answer session moderated by Lady Nicoleta. The evening concluded with a *vin d’honneur*, allowing guests further opportunity for discussion. The dress code for the occasion was Lounge Suit.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event’s theme was deeply rooted in the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta noted in her introduction that the life of Alice de Lacy, beset by political intrigue, abduction, and the execution of her husband for treason, was a profound testament to the virtue of fortitude.
The current House’s commitment to this ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the dynamic and forward-looking spirit with which the House embraces its modern responsibilities. Together, the mottos signify a pledge to honour a venerable past while actively shaping a meaningful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was principally an academic commemoration, it also served to highlight the House’s enduring philanthropic commitments. Lady Nicoleta took the opportunity to speak briefly about the mission of Healing the Wounded Child, the chosen beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet.
This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing trauma, helping them to find resilience and rebuild their lives. The choice of this charity is a modern interpretation of the House’s duty of care, translating the historical concept of noble obligation into tangible support for the most vulnerable members of contemporary society.
## In Their Own Words
In her introductory remarks, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the relevance of her predecessor’s story.
> The chronicles of our past are not merely records of succession; they are lessons in resilience. Alice de Lacy lived through immense personal and political turmoil, yet her title and lands endured, passing to future generations. To remember her is to remember that fortitude is the *sine qua non* of legacy. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan later remarked on the House’s duty to share its history.
> A heritage of this depth is a privilege, but it is also a responsibility. By opening these chapters of our history to a wider audience, we hope to foster a greater appreciation for the long, unbroken thread that connects our present day to the world of the Domesday Book.
## A Continuing Legacy
This commemorative lecture represents a renewed commitment from The Noble House of Brattleby to scholarly engagement and historical education. It is envisioned as the first in a series of events intended to explore the lives of notable predecessors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt.
The House’s public-facing work continues with its educational mission at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultural and professional development. Preparations are also underway for the annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal white-tie philanthropic gala, which supports the vital work of its partner charities.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of responsible stewardship. Its mission is to preserve a near-millennial heritage while deploying its influence for contemporary philanthropic good. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and focus on education, cultural preservation, and charitable support. Principal initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant fundraising gala, and The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol based in Bucharest which promotes intercultural understanding and personal development.
**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 tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat (*caput*) at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of the most significant families in English history. Notable Barons include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic dignity and rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition by The Crown was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 separate lordships. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s Annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic gala with Healing the Wounded Child as its principal beneficiary.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com