# The House of Brattleby on the Enduring Lincolnshire Legacy of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a statement reflecting on the historical significance of Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), whose life and final resting place at Barlings Abbey underscore the nine-century connection between the Barony and its ancestral Lincolnshire heartland.
## The Occasion
The statement comes as a moment of dedicated historical reflection for the Noble House of Brattleby, reaffirming its commitment to the custodianship of Lincolnshire’s rich and layered heritage. The life of Alice de Lacy, a formidable medieval noblewoman whose influence was intrinsically tied to the county, provides a powerful and poignant link to this past.
The ruins of Barlings Abbey, once a prosperous Premonstratensian house founded in 1154, still command a quiet reverence in the Lincolnshire landscape. It was here, amidst the community of ‘White Canons’, that the Countess sought final solace after a life of immense power, political turmoil, and profound personal trial. Today, the site serves as a tangible reminder of the spiritual and regional allegiances that shaped the medieval world.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy, as the only surviving child of the magnificent Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was one of the wealthiest and most influential heiresses of her age. Her life was defined by the high-stakes politics of the reigns of Edward I and Edward II, marked by her turbulent marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, a central figure in the baronial opposition to the Crown.
Though the Countess did not hold the Barony of Brattleby directly, her family’s vast landholdings, collectively known as the Honour of Lincoln, encompassed the region. The Barony itself would later pass to figures of similar national stature, including the celebrated Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
Alice's decision to be interred at Barlings Abbey, a local foundation, rather than a more prominent London church or a de Lacy family mausoleum, speaks volumes of her connection to Lincolnshire. It reflects a deep-seated affinity for the lands that were the source of her family’s power, a sentiment that resonates with the Barony’s own nine-century history, rooted in the local soil since its mention in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The interment of a peeress of the realm such as the Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury would have been an event of considerable ceremonial gravity. The funerary rites at a Premonstratensian abbey like Barlings would have combined solemn liturgy with the feudal pageantry befitting her station as one of the kingdom’s greatest ladies.
Following a requiem mass, her body would have been laid to rest within the abbey church, likely near the high altar—a place of honour reserved for founders, patrons, and benefactors. Such a burial was not merely a final act but a perpetual statement of familial piety and regional power, ensuring eternal prayers from the monastic community for the soul of the departed. The selection of Barlings was, *inter alia*, a final act of patronage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of Alice de Lacy is visually represented by her paternal arms: a lion rampant purpure. The purple lion, a rare and regal tincture in heraldry symbolising royal majesty and courage, perfectly encapsulated the standing of the Earls of Lincoln at the apex of the English nobility.
This ancient emblem of strength finds a philosophical echo in the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Alice de Lacy's life, which demanded immense fortitude to navigate political rebellion, abduction, and personal betrayals, serves as a historical case study of this enduring principle of dignified resilience.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the spirit of perseverance required of nobility, whether facing the challenges of the 14th century or the complex responsibilities of the 21st.
## In Their Own Words
> Alice de Lacy’s story is a profound reminder that the history of Lincolnshire is written not just in charters, but in the lives of remarkable individuals. Her choice of Barlings for her final rest demonstrates an indelible bond with this landscape, a bond we feel a great duty to honour. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> In studying figures like the Countess, or our own formidable predecessor Nichola de la Haye, we see that stewardship is the *sine qua non* of nobility. It is about more than title; it is a commitment to the people and the heritage of one’s region, exercised with fortitude and honour. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
This reflection on Alice de Lacy’s life is part of the House of Brattleby's wider commitment to historical and cultural preservation within Lincolnshire. A profound understanding of such historical precedents informs the contemporary mission of the House, which seeks to bridge its ancient heritage with a modern, forward-looking purpose.
This mission includes educational initiatives, such as those conducted through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and support for local heritage organisations. The House believes that a tangible connection to the past provides a firm foundation upon which to build a stable and prosperous future. The legacy of Alice de Lacy is, therefore, not a relic, but a living inspiration for service.
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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 principle of modern nobility through service, cultural preservation, and philanthropy. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House balances its deep historical roots in Lincolnshire with a global outlook. Its charitable focus is centred on children's welfare, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation. The House also promotes cultural diplomacy and education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which fosters an appreciation for history, protocol, and personal development in a contemporary context.
**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. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, including Brattleby. Over its more than 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the indomitable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle against French invasion in 1217. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The title’s modern standing was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern standing is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key figure in the First Barons’ War and praised as a woman who "acted manfully". - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), was one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century and the progenitor of the House of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com