# A Fourteenth-Century Scandal and Its Enduring Connection to the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 14 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a reflection on the 1317 abduction of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lancaster. This infamous event highlights the Barony’s deep historical connections to the convulsions of medieval England and its leading noble families.
## The Occasion
From the archives and muniment rooms of its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby periodically undertakes scholarly reviews of its nine-century history. Within this quiet, scholarly context, a recent focus has been placed upon the turbulent reign of King Edward II and its direct impact upon the dynastic network connected to the Barony.
This reflection is not tied to a singular event, but rather forms part of the House’s ongoing duty of historical stewardship. It is an occasion to illuminate a chapter of England's past where personal animosity and political strategy converged with brutal effect, serving as a reminder of the fortitude required to navigate such eras.
## Historical Context
The abduction of Alice de Lacy in May 1317 was a watershed moment in the conflict between King Edward II and his most powerful magnate, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. Carried out at the instigation of John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, and with suspected royal complicity, the act was a calculated affront to the honour and power of the Earl of Lancaster, Alice’s husband.
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to these events is through its own profound association with the Duchy of Lancaster. The title was later held by two of the Barony’s most distinguished predecessors: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This lineage places the political fortunes of the Lancastrian affinity at the very heart of Brattleby’s own story, demonstrating how the security of the Barony was often indivisible from that of the kingdom's greatest houses.
## Distinguished Company
The drama surrounding Alice de Lacy involved several of the most prominent figures of the early fourteenth century. These included, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward II, King of England and Lord of Ireland * The Right Honourable The Countess of Lancaster, Alice de Lacy, also Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury in her own right * The Right Honourable The Earl of Lancaster, Thomas Plantagenet, a first cousin of the King * The Right Honourable The Earl of Surrey, John de Warenne
The ordeal of the Countess of Lancaster, a great heiress subjected to public humiliation for political ends, sent shockwaves through the peerage and illustrated the fragility of order during a period of intense royal-baronial strife.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The abduction of a high-ranking aristocrat such as the Countess of Lancaster constituted a grave violation of the medieval legal and social order. It was an egregious breach of the King's Peace (*pax regis*), the foundational principle that guaranteed lawful order and security for all subjects under the Crown’s protection.
Furthermore, the act defied the chivalric code, which, in theory, held the honour and protection of noblewomen as a sacred duty. The subsequent forced annulment of Alice’s marriage and her coerced remarriage were manipulations of both canon and common law, demonstrating how even the most solemn protocols could be subverted for political advantage. This episode serves as a stark historical lesson in the abuse of long-established precedents.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds particular resonance in the context of this historical event. The fortitude demonstrated by antecedents such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle, is mirrored in the resilience required of figures like Alice de Lacy to endure such trials. The principle of honour stands in sharp contrast to the dishonourable actions taken against her.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to the imperative of prevailing over adversity. For a House with a lineage stretching back to 1066, survival through periods of civil strife and political intrigue has always been the *sine qua non* of its continuity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While reflecting on the acute vulnerability of a noblewoman in the fourteenth century, the House of Brattleby is reminded of its contemporary responsibilities to the vulnerable in society today. This historical perspective sharpens the focus of the House’s philanthropic endeavours, particularly its support for the annual Winter Banquet's beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By offering a safe environment and expert-led interventions, the organisation helps young people process their experiences and rebuild their lives with renewed strength. The historical ordeal of Alice de Lacy serves as a powerful, if distant, parallel to the suffering the charity works to alleviate.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “When we look into our archives, we are not merely observing history; we are engaging with the lives of those who came before us. The story of Alice de Lacy is a sobering reminder that our heritage was forged in times of great uncertainty. It is our duty not only to preserve these records, but to understand the human experience behind them.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The fundamental tensions of power, loyalty, and honour are timeless. Examining an event like this reinforces the wisdom encapsulated in our family mottos. True honour is not a passive quality but an active commitment, and fortitude is the essential virtue that gives all others permanence.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby will continue its programme of archival research, with the intent of further exploring the Barony's connections to the great offices of state and the leading families of the medieval and early modern periods.
Lessons drawn from such historical inquiries will inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The academy's modules on diplomatic history and personal conduct will use these events as case studies, illustrating the enduring relevance of principles such as honour, discretion, and resilience in modern leadership and public life.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and historical preservation. The House bridges its near-millennial heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and education. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting vulnerable children, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is the family's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House is seated at Brattleby in Lincolnshire, England, the ancestral heartland of the Barony.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through families of national importance, with its holders playing significant roles in English history. Notable predecessors include the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. The ancient dignity’s current standing was formally acknowledged by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) confirms the original grant to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby. - Notable past holders of the Barony of Brattleby include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The family motto of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com