# A Reflection on Alice de Lacy, Ninth Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a historical reflection on the life of her predecessor, Alice de Lacy. The paper illuminates the fortitude shown by the ninth Baroness amidst the profound political turmoil of 14th-century England.
## The Occasion
From the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this reflection is released as the inaugural paper in a new series of historical monographs, *The Brattleby Chronicles*. The series has been commissioned by The Noble House of Brattleby to examine the lives of its most significant predecessors and to explore the Barony’s unique place within the wider tapestry of English history.
This first chronicle is dedicated to the memory of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, and ninth Baroness of Brattleby. Her tenure represents a period of exceptional challenge and personal resilience, offering a compelling study in the responsibilities and vulnerabilities of high-born women in the High Middle Ages. The publication serves as a moment of scholarly commemoration for a formidable, yet often misunderstood, historical figure.
## Historical Context
The life of Alice de Lacy (1281-1348) was inextricably linked to the great struggles for power that defined the reign of King Edward II. As one of the wealthiest heiresses in the kingdom, her vast estates, which included the Barony of Brattleby, were a source of immense political leverage. Her strategic marriage to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, the King’s cousin and chief antagonist, placed her at the very epicentre of baronial opposition to the Crown.
The political volatility of the era is starkly illustrated by her abduction in 1317 from her manor at Canford, Dorset. This audacious act, likely orchestrated by rivals to diminish her husband’s power, underscores the precariousness of her position. Like her predecessor Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness who so ably defended Lincoln Castle a century earlier, Alice de Lacy was required to demonstrate extraordinary resolve simply to preserve her inheritance and personal agency. Her life stands as a powerful case study of the era where land, title, and marriage were the primary instruments of statecraft.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of the ninth Baroness’s life was shaped by some of the most powerful figures in medieval England. These personages, whose ambitions and fortunes were intertwined with her own, included, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward II of England * Thomas Plantagenet, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and Leicester, her first husband * Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, her father * Eubulus le Strange, 1st Baron Strange, her second husband * Hugh de Freyne, 1st Baron Freyne, her third husband
Their interactions with Alice de Lacy illuminate the complex web of loyalties and rivalries that constituted the political landscape of the period.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The publication of *The Brattleby Chronicles* follows a new protocol established by the House for the stewardship of its history. Each monograph is personally commissioned by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and prepared with the assistance of professional historians and archivists. The purpose is to ensure each chronicle is both academically rigorous and accessible to a wider audience.
Upon completion, the paper is formally reviewed before being granted the House’s imprimatur. Each release is intended to coincide with a date of historical significance, reinforcing the connection between the House’s present-day activities and its enduring past. This formal process is the *sine qua non* for maintaining the integrity of the Barony’s historical record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds a powerful historical echo in the life of Alice de Lacy. Her fortitude was demonstrated not only in enduring multiple abductions and the execution of her first husband but also in her skilful administration of estates that stretched across England. She navigated a world designed to constrain her, yet she persisted as a significant landowner and political entity for over three decades after her husband's fall.
Her story serves as a reminder that honour, in its medieval context, was a complex code of duty, fealty, and survival. Alice’s life demonstrates that for the holders of the Barony of Brattleby, honour has always been measured by one’s resilience in the face of profound adversity.
## In Their Own Words
In the foreword to the monograph, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflects on her predecessor’s legacy:
> Alice de Lacy’s life was a testament to the fact that fortitude is not the absence of adversity, but the will to endure it with dignity and purpose. Her story is a vital part of our House’s legacy, reminding us that the custodianship of such a title is a duty that transcends time and circumstance. She governed her lands, including Brattleby, through war, rebellion, and personal loss, proving that strength is not solely a martial virtue.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer Is to Live’), added:
> The instinct to overcome challenge is timeless. In the 14th century, Alice de Lacy faced political machinations; today, the challenges are different, but the fundamental need for resilience remains. By studying her life, we draw inspiration for our own commitment to the long-term prosperity of the communities we serve.
## A Continuing Legacy
This reflection on the ninth Baroness marks the formal beginning of a long-term commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to historical preservation and education. *The Brattleby Chronicles* will continue with future publications exploring other notable predecessors who shaped the Barony and the nation.
Forthcoming studies will examine the lives and influence of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a celebrated soldier and diplomat, as well as John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and a pivotal figure in late medieval England. Through this work, the House seeks to honour its past and provide a valuable resource for future generations.
---
**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 modern expression of its ancient heritage. The House’s mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and protocol, the House seeks to build a contemporary legacy of service. This work honours a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest, adapting its historic responsibilities to the needs of the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, 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 the county, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The historical succession of the title is a matter of public record, formally recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 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* of 1086. - The modern succession of the title is formally noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com