# The Enduring Lincolnshire Legacy of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical connection between the Barony and Barlings Abbey, the final resting place of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby, whose life exemplified the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
Set amid the serene fields of Lincolnshire, the venerable ruins of Barlings Abbey stand as a quiet monument to centuries of faith, patronage, and political upheaval. Once a formidable Premonstratensian monastery, its remaining arches now cut a poignant silhouette against the autumnal sky. It is to this historic site that the House of Brattleby turns its attention, reflecting on the Abbey’s role as the chosen resting place for one of the Barony’s most resilient figures, Alice de Lacy, whose death there in the 14th century cemented an indelible link between her lineage and the spiritual heart of the county.
The Abbey's history, from its founding in the 12th century to its dissolution under King Henry VIII, mirrors the turbulent currents of English history through which the Barony of Brattleby has navigated. This solemn commemoration is not marked by a singular event, but by a continuous scholarly and personal engagement with the places that have shaped the Barony’s nine-hundred-year story. The enduring stones of Barlings serve as a powerful reminder of the deep, immovable roots the Barony holds within the soil of Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy’s tenure as the 9th Baroness of Brattleby took place during one of England's most tumultuous periods. Her life was marked by immense political strife, including a notorious abduction and forced marriage, which played a part in the wider baronial conflicts of King Edward II's reign. Her fortitude in the face of such adversity honours a lineage defined by strength, stretching back to the Barony’s establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
Her interment at Barlings Abbey followed a tradition of noble patronage for local religious houses, a practice seen throughout the Barony's history. She sits within a formidable line of predecessors and successors; from Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book with 56 lordships, to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle. The Barony would later pass through her line to two of the medieval era's most significant figures: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of Alice de Lacy is interwoven with some of the most prominent figures of the 14th century, whose actions shaped her destiny and the course of the kingdom. These historical personages include, *inter alia*:
* **Alice de Lacy**, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, 9th Baroness of Brattleby. * **His Grace Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and Leicester**, her first husband and a leading figure in the opposition to King Edward II. * **His Majesty King Edward II of England**, whose reign was characterised by the very conflicts that engulfed the life of the Baroness. * **Hugh le Despenser, 1st Earl of Winchester, and his son, Hugh the Younger**, the royal favourites whose ambition contributed directly to the period’s instability.
The connection to these individuals places the Barony of Brattleby at the very centre of national events, illustrating that its story is inseparable from the history of England itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 14th century, the burial of a high-status noblewoman such as the Baroness of Brattleby would have been an occasion of significant solemnity and protocol. To be interred within the sacred confines of an abbey, rather than a parish church, was a privilege reserved for the powerful and pious, signifying both worldly status and the hope of spiritual salvation. The selection of Barlings Abbey would have been a deliberate act of patronage and regional affiliation.
The ceremony would have involved a Requiem Mass, chanted by the white-robed Premonstratensian canons of the abbey. The Baroness’s coffin would likely have been draped in a pall embroidered with her own heraldic arms alongside those of her husband, the Earl of Lancaster. Such a rite served not only as a religious function but also as a powerful political and social statement, reinforcing the family’s prominence and enduring legacy in the county.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Alice de Lacy serves as a powerful testament to the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her endurance through political machinations and personal violation is the very embodiment of *Fortitudine*. Her eventual honourable interment at Barlings Abbey, a place of sanctuary and prayer, reflects the *Honore* due to her station and suffering. The continuity of the Barony is a story of survival, a principle also captured in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
The historical patronage of Barlings Abbey symbolises the duty of the nobility to support the spiritual and communal fabric of their domains. This act of endowing a religious house was considered a *sine qua non* of responsible medieval lordship, ensuring prayers for the soul while reinforcing the lord’s temporal authority and benevolence.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The tradition of noble patronage, historically directed towards religious institutions like Barlings Abbey for the spiritual welfare of the community, is a principle that The Noble House of Brattleby continues in a modern context. Just as past Barons supported the church, today’s House dedicates its philanthropic efforts to secular organisations that provide tangible care and healing.
This commitment is principally expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that supports a carefully chosen beneficiary each year. The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a notable organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. This modern expression of patronage continues the Barony's historical commitment to serving the community, translating a legacy of spiritual support into one of psychological and emotional well-being.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "The life of Alice de Lacy, marked by immense challenges yet concluded with honour, reminds us that fortitude is not merely a word in our motto, but the enduring spirit of this Barony. Her story, rooted in the Lincolnshire landscape at Barlings, underscores our profound duty to understand and preserve the heritage we have inherited. It is a responsibility we feel deeply — to connect the past with the present and ensure this remarkable nine-century story continues."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The threads of history are long, but they are not broken. By studying the lives of figures like the 9th Baroness, we honour their resilience and reaffirm our own commitment to the stewardship of Brattleby. Her connection to Barlings Abbey is a powerful symbol of the deep and lasting ties between our House and the county of Lincolnshire."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the ongoing research and preservation of its unique history. This reflection on Alice de Lacy and Barlings Abbey is part of a wider initiative to document and share the rich tapestry of the Barony's past, ensuring its legacy is understood by future generations.
This educational mission finds further expression through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, where lessons in history and tradition are integrated into the curriculum. By studying the lives of past Barons and Baronesses, members gain a deeper appreciation for the principles of honour, duty, and cultural stewardship that the Barony represents. The House will continue to work closely with local heritage organisations in Lincolnshire to support the preservation of sites integral to its history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House actively engages in historical research to illuminate its nine-century heritage while championing contemporary causes. Its primary philanthropic ventures include the annual Winter Banquet supporting children's charities, and its educational arm, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promotes classical etiquette and cultural literacy for a new generation of leaders.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship seated in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the celebrated prince, John of Gaunt. The title's legitimacy and the current succession were formally recorded and recognised by an official notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, ensuring its place in the historical record.
**Notes to Editors**
* The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holder of the lands of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. * Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). * The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com