# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Legacy of Alice de Lacy
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal reflection on the formidable life and enduring legacy of Alice de Lacy, once Countess of Lincoln and a fourteenth-century holder of the Barony of Brattleby, whose story continues to resonate from her death in 1348.
## The Occasion
In a period of seasonal reflection, as the Lincolnshire landscape assumes its autumnal colours, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate one of its most compelling historical figures. The occasion is not one of ceremony but of solemn remembrance, honouring the complex legacy of Alice de Lacy, who died at Barlings Abbey in 1348 after a life of exceptional political turbulence and personal trial.
The now-ruined Abbey, a site of Premonstratensian canons, stands as a poignant memorial to the passage of time. Its weathered stones bear silent witness to the end of a life that was deeply interwoven with the destiny of the county and the kingdom. This act of remembrance serves as a reaffirmation of the House’s duty to preserve and understand the complete tapestry of its nine-century history.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy (1281–1348) inherited a vast patrimony, including the Earldoms of Lincoln and Salisbury, becoming one of the great heiresses of her age. Her life, however, was far from serene. Her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, a cousin of King Edward II, placed her at the epicentre of the baronial conflicts that defined the era. Her abduction in 1317 from her estate at Canford, Dorset, was a national scandal that exacerbated the tensions leading to civil war.
Following the execution of her husband for treason in 1322, Alice was forced to surrender a significant portion of her lands to the Crown and its favourites. Yet, with remarkable tenacity, she navigated the treacherous currents of the reigns of Edward II and Edward III, eventually recovering a measure of her status and wealth. Her story provides a powerful counterpoint to that of a later Baron of Brattleby, the illustrious Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, who would come to represent the zenith of Lancastrian power. Like her predecessor Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, Alice demonstrated that the stewardship of Brattleby has long demanded profound resilience.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Alice de Lacy imbues the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), with tangible meaning. Her arms, which featured the lion rampant purpure of the de Lacys, symbolised courage and noble strength. These were qualities she was required to demonstrate not on the battlefield, but in the political arena and during personal adversity, where her survival was a victory in itself.
The motto serves as a guiding principle for the House today, reminding its members that true honour is not merely inherited but is forged in the response to challenge. It is a direct link to the spirit of predecessors like Alice, whose endurance is a *sine qua non* of the Barony’s continued existence. This legacy of fortitude is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the proactive spirit required to sustain such a heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The memory of such historical adversity, particularly the trials faced by noblewomen and the vulnerability of their positions, directly informs the modern philanthropic commitments of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan. The struggles endured by figures like Alice de Lacy lend a historical perspective to the House’s support for its chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By supporting its mission, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to transform legacies of suffering into futures of strength and recovery, a modern interpretation of the duty of care that has always been incumbent upon the Barony.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To hold this title is to be a steward of a nine-hundred-year narrative. Alice de Lacy's chapter is one of profound resilience. Her fortitude in an era that severely constrained women of rank is a lesson that echoes through the centuries and informs our duties today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not a static list of dates; it is a living presence that counsels the present. By honouring figures such as Alice de Lacy, we reaffirm our commitment to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*. Her life proves that true honour is found not in avoiding trial, but in enduring it with integrity.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the exploration and dissemination of its rich history. This includes ongoing archival research into the lives of the Barony’s holders and their impact on the social and political fabric of England. The lessons drawn from these historical studies will continue to inform the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote cultural diplomacy and social grace.
Through its educational initiatives and steadfast philanthropic work, the House ensures that the legacy of figures like Alice de Lacy is not merely remembered but actively applied. It is a testament to the belief that understanding the past is the most certain way to build a meaningful and honourable future.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient Norman lordships. With a heritage rooted in Lincolnshire, the House’s contemporary mission blends the stewardship of its nine-century history with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its principal philanthropic focus is on charities supporting vulnerable children, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House actively promotes its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying timeless principles of duty and service to the challenges of the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the thirteenth century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the influential prince John of Gaunt. The continuous and unbroken succession of the title is a matter of public record, formally recognised in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - The formal recognition of the Barony’s current holder was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic beneficiary for its Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com