# Fortitudine et Honore: A Reflection on Alice de Lacy and the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 22 March 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the execution of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, reflecting on the subsequent trials faced by his wife, Alice de Lacy, and the enduring resilience required of women in the Barony’s history.
## The Occasion
On this day in 1322, Thomas of Lancaster was executed for treason following his defeat at the Battle of Boroughbridge. This solemn anniversary provides a moment for sober reflection, not on the political disputes of the era, but on their profound human consequences. From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire—a landscape steeped in the history of Lancaster and Lincoln—the House recalls the formidable pressures placed upon Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln, whose fortunes were inextricably tied to the great titles and lands of the realm.
The occasion is one of historical remembrance, an opportunity to examine the threads of continuity that connect the challenges of the 14th century to the principles that guide the Barony today. It is a quiet commemoration, marked not by ceremony but by an acknowledgment of the past and the lessons it imparts on the nature of duty, survival, and custodianship.
## Historical Context
The story of Alice de Lacy is a poignant chapter in the history surrounding the Barony of Brattleby. As the wife of Thomas of Lancaster, the powerful cousin of King Edward II, her status was second only to the Queen’s. Following her husband’s rebellion and execution, however, she was plunged into a perilous legal and political void. The Crown enacted an attainder, seizing the vast Lancastrian estates, including those Alice held *suo jure*, in her own right.
Brattleby, within the historic wapentake of Lawress in Lindsey, fell under the influence of the Earldom of Lincoln, a title Alice held. Her fate serves as a stark illustration of the vulnerability of even the most powerful noblewomen in medieval England. Stripped of her husband and a significant portion of her patrimony, she was compelled to navigate a treacherous court, her hand in marriage becoming a political tool for the King and his favourites.
## A Legacy of Formidable Women
Alice de Lacy’s struggle for survival places her within a lineage of remarkable women connected to the Barony of Brattleby. Her resilience echoes that of an earlier predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217. Where Nichola demonstrated fortitude on the battlefield, Alice demonstrated it in the political arena, fighting to preserve her rights and personhood against overwhelming royal pressure.
This legacy of female strength is a cornerstone of the Barony’s identity. It is a direct line that runs through nine centuries, from the administrative prowess of early holders to the martial courage of Nichola de la Haye and the political endurance of Alice de Lacy. Today, this tradition is embodied by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who continues to uphold the title with a deep respect for the formidable women who came before her.
## The Protocol of Inheritance and Survival
The predicament faced by Alice de Lacy was governed by the strict protocols of 14th-century feudal law. The legal instrument of *attainder* not only condemned a traitor but also disinherited his heirs, causing his lands and titles to be forfeited to the Crown. A widow’s dower rights—her legal one-third share of her husband’s estate for life—were often disregarded in cases of treason, leaving her dependent on royal favour for her very subsistence.
For Alice, survival meant acquiescing to a rapid remarriage to a man loyal to the King. This transaction was the *sine qua non* of her retaining any measure of her former status. It was a formal, calculated process, demonstrating how personal liberty was secondary to the stability of the Crown and the distribution of land, which was the ultimate source of power.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring story of Alice de Lacy provides a powerful historical context for the motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Her capacity to withstand immense personal loss and political disgrace embodies the principle of *Fortitudine*. It is the fortitude not only of defiance, but of endurance—the strength to persist when all seems lost.
This theme is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). In this context, the phrase reflects a broader truth. Alice de Lacy’s conquest was not one of arms, but of survival itself. By navigating the intrigues of the court and securing her future, she lived on, ensuring her name was not erased by her husband’s fall.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby’s deep engagement with its own history informs its present-day commitments. The story of Alice de Lacy—a high-born lady made vulnerable by circumstance—serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly security can evaporate. This historical awareness underpins the House’s long-standing support for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation.
The charity is dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By focusing its philanthropic efforts on society’s most vulnerable, the House translates the historical lesson of fortitude into a modern mission of compassion. Just as Alice de Lacy required a lifeline, the foundation provides crucial support to those navigating the deep wounds of their own pasts.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on its enduring relevance:
> "The history of the Barony is not one of unbroken triumph, but of profound resilience. Alice de Lacy’s story teaches us that true strength is not merely the absence of adversity, but the fortitude to endure it and secure a future. It is a lesson in custodianship we hold dear." — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the study and preservation of its long and complex history. Understanding the trials of predecessors such as Alice de Lacy and Nichola de la Haye provides an invaluable moral and ethical framework for the House’s modern activities, *inter alia*, its philanthropic work and cultural initiatives.
This ethos is channelled into ventures like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching etiquette and protocol, where the principles of honour and resilience are conveyed to a new generation. As the heritage of the Barony is passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, these historical lessons will continue to form the bedrock of a legacy built not just on titles, but on a deep understanding of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby combines its ancient heritage with a forward-looking mission. The House is dedicated to the principles of noblesse oblige, focusing its philanthropic endeavours on charities that support vulnerable children and promote healing from trauma. Its primary annual event, the white-tie Winter Banquet, is a significant fundraiser for its beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House champions the timeless values of etiquette, honour, and civic duty, preparing future leaders with a foundation of classical virtues. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights and title of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* 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 of 1086. - The current holder’s rights were formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House Motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’).
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com