# A Solemn Remembrance: The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Barlings Abbey
LONDON, 17 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the historical ties binding the ancient Barony to Barlings Abbey, the final resting place of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming a lineage of continuous presence within Lincolnshire since AD 1066.
## The Occasion
In the quiet solemnity of the Lincolnshire autumn, the weathered limestone ruins of Barlings Abbey stand as a poignant memorial to centuries of faith, power, and upheaval. It is this site that Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have chosen to recall as they mark the life of their predecessor, Alice de Lacy. The Abbey, once a flourishing Premonstratensian house founded in the 12th century, provides a contemplative backdrop for understanding the fortitude required to navigate the complexities of duty and circumstance through the ages. Its dissolution under King Henry VIII only serves to deepen the resonance of its connection to a Barony that has itself endured and adapted.
The act of remembrance is not marked by a public ceremony, but by a considered, private reflection on the duties of stewardship. For the House of Brattleby, to look upon the Abbey's remains is to acknowledge the layered history of the landscape that the Barony has called home for nearly a millennium. It is an occasion for honouring the past as a *sine qua non* for shaping a conscientious future.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, has been intertwined with the fate of England itself. Alice de Lacy, who died at Barlings Abbey after 1348, embodies the turbulence of her era. As the suo jure Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, her immense inheritance made her a pivotal figure in the high politics of the 14th century. Her life, marked by a contentious marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, and a notorious abduction, demonstrates the profound personal sacrifices often demanded by dynastic responsibility.
Her retreat to Barlings Abbey for her final years signifies the enduring importance of such religious houses as places of sanctuary and spiritual solace. Following her tenure, the Barony was held by figures of national consequence, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This distinguished succession underscores the Barony’s integral role in the fabric of English aristocratic and political life, a legacy that the current House is duty-bound to preserve.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon the history of Barlings Abbey, the House of Brattleby honours the memory of the long line of Barons and Baronesses who have shaped its nine-century history. This roll of honour includes, *inter alia*:
* Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a significant landholder recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. * Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces during the First Barons' War. * Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby, whose tumultuous but resilient life is commemorated today. * Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a founder Knight of the Garter and one of the great military commanders of the Hundred Years' War. * John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster, and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings of England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such a profound history is governed by its own quiet protocol. Within the archives of the House of Brattleby, the chronicles, charters, and genealogical records pertaining to the Barony are preserved with meticulous care. The protocol of remembrance involves not public pageantry, but the scholarly and consistent review of these historical materials. This ongoing work ensures that the narrative of each predecessor is understood and their legacy honoured.
This custodial duty is central to the role of the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby. It is a commitment to ensuring that the lessons of the past—of resilience, duty, and honour—are not merely catalogued but are actively integrated into the guiding principles of the modern House. The maintenance of this historical record is considered a foundational responsibility, preceding all other public duties.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle finds a powerful exemplar in Alice de Lacy, who navigated immense personal and political strife with a resolve that ensured the continuation of her line. Her life story is a testament to the fortitude required to uphold one’s position and honour in the face of adversity.
This sentiment is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to the proactive spirit of overcoming challenges, not merely enduring them. It symbolises the House’s modern approach: to actively engage with the world and to strive for positive impact, whether in philanthropic endeavours or in the preservation of heritage. Together, the two mottos create a philosophy of resilience and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The story of Alice de Lacy’s life, with its documented hardships, provides a powerful historical parallel to the modern philanthropic focus of the House of Brattleby. The designated beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, is a charitable organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma and psychological distress. The House selected this cause in recognition that while the context of hardship changes, the reality of human suffering is timeless.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist counselling and creative arts therapies to help children process difficult experiences and build resilience. Its work has demonstrably improved mental health outcomes for hundreds of young people, offering them a sanctuary for recovery—much as Barlings Abbey may have offered a different form of sanctuary to the 9th Baroness. This alignment reflects a core belief of the House: that honouring the past must include a commitment to healing the present.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — “When we contemplate figures like Alice de Lacy or Nichola de la Haye, we feel the weight and privilege of our responsibility. They were custodians of this Barony in their time, as we are in ours. Remembering their lives, especially their connection to Lincolnshire landmarks like Barlings, is a vital part of upholding the continuity they fought so hard to secure.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — “History teaches us that resilience is a precondition for progress. The story of Alice de Lacy and the endurance of the Barony through immense change reinforce the truth that to conquer adversity is, in essence, to live fully. It is a lesson that inspires our work and our commitment to making a tangible, positive difference today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving and promoting the rich history of Lincolnshire and the Barony. This act of remembrance is part of a wider programme of heritage initiatives that will be pursued in the coming year. Future projects will include further archival research, support for local historical preservation societies, and the development of educational modules at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest focused on English history and the principles of aristocratic stewardship.
These efforts, combined with the House’s ongoing philanthropic work, ensure that the legacy of predecessors like Alice de Lacy is not simply a matter of record, but a living inspiration. The Annual Winter Banquet will continue to serve as the cornerstone of the House's charitable calendar, translating the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* into meaningful support for those in need.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of aristocratic duty. Its mission is centred on three pillars: the preservation of its nine-century historical heritage, the championing of impactful philanthropy, and the promotion of cultural diplomacy. The House’s primary charitable focus is on supporting organisations that provide mental health and trauma support to children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet fundraising gala. Through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest, the House fosters an appreciation for European cultural traditions and classical diplomacy, extending its commitment to Fortitudine et Honore (‘With Fortitude and Honour’) onto an international stage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its 958-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most notable figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby to the Lordship and Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern standing of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a Tenant-in-Chief to the King, holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key figure in the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby 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