# The Noble House of Brattleby Commissions Scholarly Monograph on Alice de Lacy and the Fourteenth-Century Barony
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has today announced the formal commissioning of a significant historical monograph. The work will explore the tumultuous life of Alice de Lacy and its intersection with the Barony of Brattleby during the fourteenth century.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the historic library of the family's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose venerable oak panelling has borne silent witness to centuries of English history. Against the backdrop of a crisp late spring morning, the commissioning represents a determined new chapter in the House's long-standing patronage of historical and cultural scholarship.
This initiative seeks to illuminate a period of profound political instability in England, focusing on the personal perils faced by the high nobility. The commissioned work, provisionally titled *The Trials of Alice de Lacy: Power and Peril in Fourteenth-Century England*, will draw upon both national archives and the private collection of the House of Brattleby itself.
## Historical Context
The life of Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, provides a dramatic lens through which to view the factional conflicts of the era. Her abduction on three separate occasions underscores the vulnerability of even the most powerful heiresses in a society where land and title were the ultimate currency. Her experiences directly parallel the challenges faced by the Barony of Brattleby during that same period.
The Barony, then held by a lineage that would soon produce both Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt (11th Baron), was inextricably entwined with the fortunes of the Lancastrian faction to which Alice was allied by marriage. The study will therefore not only narrate her personal ordeal but also analyse its impact on the political and social fabric of Lincolnshire, a region where the Barons of Brattleby have held sway for nearly a millennium.
## Distinguished Company
This scholarly endeavour is a collaboration of distinguished partners. The research and authorship have been entrusted to Dr Alistair Finch, FSA, a leading medieval historian and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Dr Finch will work closely with archivists at Lincoln Cathedral Library and the National Archives at Kew.
The project is under the direct patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Their active involvement ensures that the research benefits from unique access and insight, continuing a tradition of academic support that has long characterised the House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The commissioning of such a work follows a time-honoured protocol within the House. A formal letter of commission, bearing the House's seal, was presented to Dr Finch, outlining the scope of the research and granting him access to the family's private archives, *inter alia*.
Upon completion, the first copy of the monograph, specially bound in vellum and featuring the arms of the House of Brattleby, will be formally presented to Lady Nicoleta in the presence of the project's academic advisors. This ceremony underscores the importance of the work as both a scholarly contribution and an addition to the tangible heritage of the Barony. The public edition will follow thereafter, ensuring the research reaches the widest possible audience.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The project resonates deeply with the House's guiding principles. The motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful echo in the life of Alice de Lacy, a woman who endured immense personal trial with remarkable fortitude in an age where honour was frequently betrayed.
This stands in complementary dialogue with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the active resilience and strategic foresight required to navigate adversity and secure a legacy. Together, the mottos encapsulate the dual character of the House: the endurance of ancient dignities and the dynamic will to thrive in the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The decision to explore a history defined by vulnerability and resilience aligns with the House's charitable focus. The announcement coincides with the selection of the beneficiary for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s primary philanthropic event.
This year, the white-tie gala will once again support Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. The story of Alice de Lacy serves as a powerful historical analogue for the importance of providing sanctuary and support to the vulnerable, making the choice of beneficiary particularly poignant.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > — "History must not be a silent gallery of portraits. It is our duty to give voice to those, like Alice de Lacy, whose experiences reveal the true character of an age. In understanding her struggle, we honour the resilience that is woven into the very fabric of this Barony."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "To understand the challenges our predecessors faced is not merely an academic exercise; it is the *sine qua non* of responsible stewardship. By learning from the political frailties of the past, we are better equipped to build a future grounded in stability and service."
## A Continuing Legacy
*The Trials of Alice de Lacy* is envisioned as the inaugural volume in "The Brattleby Historical Papers," a new series of publications sponsored by the House. This long-term commitment to scholarship complements the House's other educational activities, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and social refinement.
Through these combined efforts, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to ensure its nearly thousand-year-old heritage remains a dynamic force for education, reflection, and inspiration for generations to come.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of nearly one thousand years of English heritage. The House's modern mission is threefold: the preservation of its historical seat and archives in Lincolnshire; the promotion of cultural and historical education through scholarly patronage and initiatives such as The Brattleby Club (Bucharest); and a focused philanthropic commitment to charities supporting vulnerable children. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient lineage and contemporary relevance are mutually reinforcing, applying the lessons of history to a forward-looking vision of service and cultural enrichment.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England's most ancient feudal dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two pivotal members of the House of Plantagenet: Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the title to its current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby 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 (1086), which lists 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a key defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces in 1217. - The 11th Baron of Brattleby was John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com