# A Reflection on Continuity and Resilience: The Barony of Brattleby and the Legacy of Alice de Lacy
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered a historical address at the Society of Antiquaries of London, reflecting on the resilience of the Barony in the 14th century and affirming the House’s commitment to its enduring nine-century legacy.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the historic apartments of the Society of Antiquaries of London at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Before a distinguished audience gathered in the Society’s main Lecture Theatre, a space that has borne witness to seminal academic discoveries since the 19th century, Lady Nicoleta presented a discourse on a pivotal moment in the Barony’s history.
The evening, set against the backdrop of late spring in London, possessed a contemplative and scholarly atmosphere. The occasion was not one of celebration, but of sober reflection on the trials that have forged the character of the Barony of Brattleby over nearly one thousand years of continuous history.
## Historical Context
The focus of the address was the remarkable story of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, who held the Brattleby lands through her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. Following her husband's execution in 1322 for rebellion against King Edward II, Alice de Lacy was compelled to pay an immense indemnity of £20,000 to the Crown to reclaim her inheritance.
This staggering sum, equivalent to many millions in modern currency, represented a near-catastrophic financial burden. It highlights not only the precariousness of noble life in mediaeval England but also the extraordinary fortitude required to endure it. Lady Nicoleta drew parallels between Alice de Lacy's struggle and that of another storied predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces during the First Barons' War.
The survival of the Barony through such turbulence—passing subsequently to figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron—is a testament to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* that the House upholds today.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of distinguished guests from the diplomatic, academic, and ecclesiastical spheres, including:
- His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania and Mrs Dania-Mikaela Popescu - The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Lincoln - Sir Jonathan Clark, President of the Society of Antiquaries of London - Professor Dame Anne Carter, Master of Brasenose College, University of Oxford - Mr and Mrs Claudiu Crăciun - The Chief Executive of Healing the Wounded Child, Dr Anjali Sharma
The presence of such guests underscored the contemporary relevance of the historical themes discussed, bridging the Barony's ancient English roots with its modern Continental and philanthropic engagements.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening followed a formal and traditional order. Guests were received by the President of the Society in the Council Room, known for its fine Regency plasterwork, before processing to the Lecture Theatre.
The dress was Lounge Suit and Day Dress. Lady Nicoleta was formally introduced by the President, who remarked upon the rare continuum of a title granted by William the Conqueror. The address, titled *Endurance and Inheritance*, lasted for forty-five minutes and was delivered without notes. A period of moderated questions and answers followed, after which a formal vote of thanks was given by a Fellow of the Society.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of resilience is deeply embedded in the identity of the Noble House of Brattleby. Its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was the central motif of the evening. ‘Fortitudine’, as Lady Nicoleta explained, represents the resilience demonstrated by Alice de Lacy and Nichola de la Haye, a quality considered a *sine qua non* for the stewardship of the title.
'Honore', or Honour, speaks to the integrity with which that stewardship is conducted. This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), which reflects the active, forward-looking dynamism the House brings to its present-day duties.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The evening served to highlight the House’s long-standing support for its principal charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The charity provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
In her address, Lady Nicoleta drew a thematic link between the historical trauma endured by the Barony and the personal traumas overcome by the children the charity serves. It is the belief of the House that understanding how past generations overcame adversity can inspire and inform contemporary efforts to help the vulnerable build resilient futures. All donations made in connection with the event were directed to the charity.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking of the historical indemnity, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — "The story of Alice de Lacy and the £20,000 fine is not merely a financial fact from a distant century. It is a powerful testament to the resilience required to navigate immense adversity. It reminds us that our duty is not just to preserve history, but to draw from its depths the strength to serve our community today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "Lady Nicoleta speaks eloquently of the past's fortitude. My own belief, *Vincere Est Vivere*, compels us to apply those lessons actively. We triumph, we truly live, by overcoming challenges not for ourselves, but for the next generation. That is the essence of our work, both in preserving این legacy and supporting undertakings like Healing the Wounded Child."
## A Continuing Legacy
To further the spirit of the evening, Lady Nicoleta concluded by announcing the establishment of a new initiative: The Brattleby Prize for Mediaeval Studies. In partnership with the University of Lincoln, the prize will be awarded annually to a postgraduate student whose research sheds new light on the social and economic history of Lincolnshire.
This commitment seeks to ensure that the lessons of the past, exemplified by the story of Alice de Lacy, continue to inspire scholarly inquiry and inform the present, thereby reinforcing the House’s nine-hundred-year commitment to its home county.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the historic Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of responsible stewardship. Its mission blends the preservation of a unique nine-century English heritage with a forward-looking, European perspective. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and encompass cultural patronage, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, it promotes cultural exchange, while its charitable endeavours are primarily focused on the welfare of vulnerable children through its support for Healing the Wounded Child.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The unbroken succession and rights of the Barony in the modern era were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown Office in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key figure in the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Duke of Lancaster. - The House's principal philanthropic beneficiary is the registered UK charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com