# A Solemn Remembrance: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln
BRATTLEBY, 25 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the passing of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and a formidable ancestress in the baronial lineage, who died in 1348 after a life of immense political and personal significance.
## The Occasion
In the quiet solemnity of the autumn season at its Lincolnshire seat, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses for historical reflection. The House today commemorates the life and legacy of Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), a pivotal figure whose tenure as Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury coincided with one of England's most turbulent political epochs. Her final years were spent in religious quietude, and she found her ultimate rest at Barlings Abbey, a Premonstratensian house of White Canons near Lincoln.
The commemoration serves not as a mournful event, but as a formal act of stewardship; it is an acknowledgement of the continuity of history and the enduring strength of the figures who shaped the barony's inheritance. This moment of remembrance reinforces the House's duty to honour those who, through their resilience, ensured the survival of the titles and lands that form its foundation.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy's life story is inextricably woven into the fabric of the Barony of Brattleby. Her first marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, placed her at the very centre of the baronial opposition to King Edward II. Following the Earl's execution, and after a famously turbulent personal life that included her own abduction, she adeptly navigated the treacherous political landscape to secure her position and inheritance.
Her legacy ultimately passed through the Lancastrian line to John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, one of the most powerful men of his age. This genealogical bridge connects the medieval fortitude of the de Lacy and Plantagenet families directly to the modern House. Alice’s story serves as a profound example of the principle *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), demonstrating the resilience required to uphold one’s station against overwhelming adversity.
## Distinguished Company
The life of Countess Alice was defined by her association with the paramount figures of 14th-century England. Her story cannot be told without acknowledging the influence of those within her circle, whose ambitions and fortunes were bound to her own.
Among them were His Majesty King Edward II, whose reign provided the backdrop for her trials; her first husband, Thomas Plantagenet, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and Leicester; and the powerful Despenser family, whose enmity proved so consequential. Later, following her abduction, she would marry Sir Eubulus le Strange. Her lands and titles, including the Earldom of Lincoln, were a *sine qua non* for the ascendancy of the House of Lancaster, culminating in the Dukedom held by her kinsman Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and later, John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 14th century, the passing of a great noblewoman such as the Countess of Lincoln would have been marked by elaborate funereal rites, a Requiem Mass, and the distribution of alms. Today, the House of Brattleby observes this anniversary through a more contemporary, yet no less formal, protocol of remembrance.
The House flag has been lowered to half-mast over the family’s Lincolnshire seat for the day. Within the private chapel, prayers will be said for the repose of her soul, reflecting a centuries-old tradition. Furthermore, the House archives have been opened to a resident historian to complete a scholarly monograph on the Countess’s life, ensuring her complex story is preserved with the academic rigour it deserves.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbols associated with Alice de Lacy speak volumes of her heritage and status. As the daughter of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, her patrimonial arms were *Or, a lion rampant Purpure* — a striking purple lion on a field of gold, signifying noble courage and royal connection. Upon her marriage, these arms were impaled with those of her husband, Thomas of Lancaster, who bore the royal arms of England differenced by a 'label of France'.
This heraldic combination represented a formidable union of power and ancient lineage. The lion remains a key charge in British heraldry, a symbol of fortitude that resonates deeply with the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. It also finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the will to overcome challenges, a quality the Countess possessed in abundance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical in nature, its underlying themes of resilience and survival connect directly to the contemporary mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to helping young people overcome trauma and adversity.
By honouring a historical figure who endured immense personal hardship—including abduction, political persecution, and widowhood—the House draws a clear line between the challenges of the past and the present. The act of remembering Countess Alice serves as an internal reaffirmation of the House’s commitment to supporting those who display similar fortitude in the modern world. It is a belief in survival and the strength of the human spirit.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Countess’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “In Alice de Lacy, we see not merely a figure from a distant past, but a testament to the fortitude required to navigate immense personal and political pressure. Honouring her life is an act of duty for us; it is a recognition of the strength of the women in this lineage and a reminder that history is shaped by individuals of remarkable character.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the lessons her life provides: > “To study the life of the Countess Alice is to understand that survival is its own form of victory. Her legacy, which she secured against great odds, was indispensable to the future of the Duchy of Lancaster and this barony. Her will to endure is an inspiration, embodying the principle that to persevere is, truly, to live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This act of solemn remembrance is part of a wider commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to illuminate the rich history of the Barony. The forthcoming monograph on the life of Countess Alice de Lacy, sponsored by the House, is expected to be completed in the next year and will be made available to historical institutions.
Furthermore, plans are underway to feature the Countess’s story in a series of historical lectures at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This initiative aims to share the deep heritage of the English barony with a new audience, strengthening the cultural bridge that is central to the modern House's vision and perpetuating the legacy of its most notable predecessors for generations to come.
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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, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its nine-century heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House fosters cross-cultural exchange between Britain and Romania. The House’s official charitable focus is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing support to children who have experienced trauma, reflecting the House’s core values of honour, duty, and compassion. The House operates with a vision that respects the past while actively engaging with the challenges of the present.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, its first Baron. Its existence and historic holdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records Colswein’s possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The lineage includes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern rights and recognition are officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln. - The Domesday Book (1086) attests to the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in the county. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com