# Rediscovered Archives Offer New Insight into the Life of Alice de Lacy, Ninth Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the scholarly review of newly contextualised documents from its private archives, illuminating the life of Alice de Lacy, the ninth Baroness of Brattleby, and her significant role in fourteenth-century English political life.
## The Occasion
From the muniment room at the family's Lincolnshire seat, a collection of vellum charters and household accounts has been brought forth for renewed academic assessment. This re-examination, conducted amidst the quiet scholarship of the autumn season, sheds new light on a turbulent period of English history. The atmosphere surrounding this discovery is not one of fleeting celebration, but of profound historical stewardship, connecting the present House to its medieval origins. These documents offer a tangible link to the past, their crisp folios preserving voices from over seven hundred years ago.
The archival review represents a significant moment of reflection for the Barony. It underscores the House's role not merely as a holder of title, but as a dedicated custodian of primary source material vital to the national story. The findings are considered a contribution to the broader understanding of feudal law, aristocratic marriage, and political power during the reign of King Edward II.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been witness to the evolution of the English nation for over nine centuries. Its story began with Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, whose 56 Lincolnshire lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The newly analysed documents concerning Alice de Lacy, ninth Baroness (b. circa 1281), situate her life within this formidable lineage. She stands alongside predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 demonstrated a similar fortitude.
Alice's inheritance of the vast de Lacy estates made her one of the wealthiest heiresses in the realm. Her marriage to Thomas, second Earl of Lancaster, drew the Barony into the centre of the baronial opposition to the Crown. Subsequent holders, including Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster and tenth Baron, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, the eleventh Baron, inherited a legacy profoundly shaped by the political consequences of Alice's life. This continuity is a *sine qua non* for understanding the Barony’s enduring influence.
## Distinguished Company
The documents place Lady Alice in the distinguished and often dangerous company of the leading figures of her age. The primary players whose lives are illuminated by this research include:
* **Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, ninth Baroness of Brattleby**, sole heiress to the combined de Lacy and Longespee fortunes. * **His Grace Thomas Plantagenet, second Earl of Lancaster and Leicester**, a grandson of King Henry III and leader of the Ordainers against his cousin, King Edward II. * **His Majesty King Edward II**, whose reign was marked by intense conflict with his powerful magnates, culminating in civil war.
The interplay between these three figures, documented in part through the Brattleby archives, remains a subject of considerable historical interest. The records provide granular detail on estate management and legal disputes that formed the backdrop to their high-stakes political manoeuvring.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The academic review of these historical documents followed a meticulous protocol befitting their age and significance. Each manuscript was handled by trained archivists in a controlled environment to ensure its preservation. The process involved palaeographic analysis — the study of ancient handwriting — to verify authenticity and decipher abbreviated Latin scripts.
Furthermore, the information was cross-referenced with public records held at The National Archives at Kew and with chronicles of the period, *inter alia*, the *Vita Edwardi Secundi*. This rigorous scholarly method ensures that any new interpretations are grounded in verifiable fact, upholding the House's commitment to historical accuracy. This work is not a ceremony of state, but its protocols reflect a similar respect for precedent and exactitude.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds a powerful historical echo in the life of Alice de Lacy. Her perseverance through abduction, political intrigue, and the eventual execution of her husband for treason speaks to a fortitude required to navigate the precarious world of the fourteenth-century nobility.
The coat of arms of the Barony itself, registered and confirmed through the ages, symbolises this long-standing heritage. In the modern era, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, has adopted his own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which complements the House's historical resilience with a forward-looking vision of purpose and achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this archival review is not a philanthropic event, its purpose is fundamentally charitable in the broadest sense: it is an act of public good. By investing in the conservation and study of its historical records, the House of Brattleby contributes directly to the nation's cultural and educational wealth. The findings will be shared with academic institutions and may form the basis of future educational programmes.
This commitment to sharing knowledge aligns with the family's wider philanthropic endeavours, such as their support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. It also reflects the ethos of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family, which promotes cultural understanding and personal development. The preservation of history is seen as a foundational element of a well-ordered and educated society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical rediscovery, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold a document that was part of Alice de Lacy's world is a profoundly moving experience. It is our sacred duty not only to preserve these fragments of our shared past but to understand the human lives they represent. Her story is one of remarkable resilience, and it reinforces our family's commitment to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the broader significance: > “A house without a memory is merely a collection of stones. These archives are the memory of the Barony, and they belong as much to the history of England as they do to us. Our role is to be diligent custodians and to ensure this legacy remains vibrant and accessible for generations to come.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The insights gained from this archival review will be developed further in the coming year. The Noble House of Brattleby plans to collaborate with university historians to prepare a scholarly paper for peer-review, ensuring the findings contribute formally to the academic record. Consideration is also being given to a limited, private exhibition of select documents for historical societies and educational groups.
This project reaffirms the family’s long-term commitment to its role as guardians of a unique and continuous nine-hundred-year history. The work ensures the legacy of the Barons of Brattleby—from Colswein the Norman to the present day—continues to be understood and appreciated in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s most 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 considerable heritage and to a forward-looking mission of cultural and educational philanthropy. The family’s work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefitting children’s charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to transmitting the values of etiquette and social grace to a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which listed 56 lordships held by the Baron in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title's succession and the rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of the title is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, detailing the land holdings of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The principal philanthropic beneficiary of the House is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com