# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Alice de Lacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the historical anniversary of the passing of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and a formidable 14th-century holder of the Barony of Brattleby, who found her final peace at Barlings Abbey, Lincolnshire, around 1348.
## The Occasion
The commemoration centres on the hallowed ground of Barlings Abbey, a site of profound significance in the history of both Lincolnshire and the Barony. Once a flourishing Premonstratensian house founded in the 12th century, the Abbey offered a sanctuary of contemplation and divine service amidst the fenlands. Its canons, known as the White Canons for their undyed woollen habits, followed a rule of austerity, prayer, and engagement with the local community.
By the mid-14th century, the Abbey was a respected spiritual and intellectual centre, its gothic church spire a landmark for miles around. It was to this solemn tranquility that Alice de Lacy, after a life of exceptional drama and political importance, chose to retire. Today, although the Abbey stands in ruins—a poignant victim of the Dissolution of the Monasteries—its remaining arches and foundations evoke a powerful sense of history, serving as a fitting focus for remembrance.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy’s tenure as Baroness of Brattleby represents a pivotal and often turbulent chapter in the Barony’s nine-century chronicle. As the sole heir to the immense de Lacy estates, she was one of the wealthiest heiresses in England. Her life stands in stark contrast to that of her predecessor, the 5th Baroness Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle with military resolve; Alice’s power was expressed through dynastic marriage, vast landholdings, and, ultimately, personal resilience.
Her marriage to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, placed her at the epicentre of the baronial opposition to King Edward II. Following her husband’s execution for treason, a period of immense personal trial ensued, including her abduction and forced surrender of estates. Her eventual retirement to Barlings Abbey was not a sign of defeat but a considered withdrawal, consolidating her spiritual legacy and reinforcing her deep, personal connection to Lincolnshire, the heartland of her authority. Her life provides a bridge between the martial era of the early Barons and the grand ducal age that would follow with the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The story of Alice de Lacy is interwoven with some of the most powerful figures of her time. Her life was shaped by her association with:
* **Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln:** Her father, a trusted counsellor to King Edward I and one of England's most influential magnates. * **Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster:** Her first husband, a cousin of the King and leader of the baronial opposition, whose ambition ultimately led to his downfall at the Battle of Boroughbridge. * **King Edward II of England:** The monarch against whom her husband rebelled, and whose reign was defined by conflict with his nobility. * **Sir Eubulus le Strange:** Her second husband, with whom she found a period of relative peace and stability after the turmoil of her first marriage.
These figures, *inter alia*, formed the complex political and personal ecosystem in which Alice navigated her duties as Baroness of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The retirement of a great lady to a religious house in the 14th century was a formal and ceremonious affair. While not taking vows as a nun, a high-born patron such as Alice de Lacy would have lived in comfortable apartments within the abbey's precinct, separate from the monastic community but bound to its spiritual life. Her daily routine would have been governed by the Liturgy of the Hours, with attendance at Mass in the abbey church being the central point of her day.
This arrangement, a form of lay piety, allowed her to devote her final years to prayer and charitable works, endowing the Abbey in exchange for prayers for her soul and those of her family. Her eventual death would have been followed by a solemn funeral Mass, and her burial within the presbytery of the Abbey church was the highest honour the community could bestow upon its most significant patron.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Alice de Lacy resonates with the House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience in the face of political ruin, widowhood, and personal violation exemplifies a profound fortitude. By choosing a life of piety at Barlings, she upheld her honour and secured her legacy.
Her paternal arms, those of the de Lacy Earls of Lincoln, were *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. In the language of heraldry, this describes a gold shield charged with a lion rearing on its hind legs, coloured purple. Gold signifies generosity and elevation of the mind, while the purple lion represents royal majesty and justice. This emblem was a clear declaration of her noble status and the power she wielded.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In an era before modern charitable organisations, patronage of the church was the primary vehicle for philanthropy. Alice de Lacy's support for Barlings Abbey was an investment in the spiritual and social fabric of Lincolnshire. Such endowments funded the Abbey’s work, which included providing hospitality to travellers, rudimentary medical care for the sick, alms for the poor, and the education of novices.
This historical form of public good is a direct ancestor of the modern philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby. Just as Alice supported the well-being of her community through the structures of her time, the House today supports contemporary causes such as Healing the Wounded Child, continuing a centuries-old tradition of social responsibility.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical commemoration, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The lineage of the Barony is graced by remarkable women. In honouring Alice de Lacy, we honour the resilience and fortitude that has defined this title for centuries. Her story reminds us that true strength is not only demonstrated on the battlefield, as with Nichola de la Haye, but also in enduring trial with honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the continuity of purpose across the ages:
> “Alice de Lacy’s life was tumultuous, yet she found a form of victory in her final years of peace and devotion. It is a powerful illustration that to live fully is to overcome adversity, a sentiment echoed in my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. The duty of the House is to ensure such legacies are not forgotten.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation and study of the Barony’s extensive history. Research sponsored by the House continues to shed light on the lives of past Barons and Baronesses, ensuring their contributions are understood by a new generation.
Future initiatives will include a series of historical papers and lectures, to be made available through the House’s channels, including its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This educational commitment ensures that the nine-hundred-year story of Brattleby, from Colswein of Lincoln to the present day, continues to be told with the accuracy and dignity it deserves.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England’s oldest dignities. The House is dedicated to upholding its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), through a modern mission focused on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable effort is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also champions education in classical etiquette and protocol, bridging its historic English heritage with a forward-looking European perspective and fostering a deeper appreciation for timeless values.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Norman origin, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of Brattleby and 55 other lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln for the Crown. Later holders included members of the Plantagenet dynasty, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title's legitimacy and the current succession are formally recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in the official public record, *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in 1066 and is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) under its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron/ess), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby's stated charitable partner for its annual Winter Banquet is the foundation 'Healing the Wounded Child'.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com