# A Reflection on Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Alice de Lacy
**LONDON, 22 March 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of a defining moment in its nine-century history, honouring the resilience of Alice de Lacy following the execution of her husband, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, on this day in 1322.
## The Occasion
As early spring light graces the Lincolnshire Wolds, the occasion is marked not by public ceremony but by quiet reflection at the family's ancestral seat in Brattleby. This solemn anniversary provides a moment to consider the profound challenges faced by the Barony's predecessors and the fortitude required to ensure its survival across the centuries.
The day serves as an internal moment of remembrance for the House, connecting the present custodianship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, to the dramatic events of the 14th century. It is a testament to the continuity of a title granted in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The execution of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, following his defeat at the Battle of Boroughbridge on 16 March 1322, represented a brutal climax in the baronial opposition to the reign of King Edward II. As the King's cousin and one of the wealthiest magnates in England, Lancaster’s fall from power was a political earthquake, with repercussions for all his extensive holdings.
Among these lands was the Barony of Brattleby, which had passed into his control through his marriage to the great heiress Alice de Lacy. Following her husband's execution for treason, Lady Alice faced the imminent threat of forfeiture, a fate that would have stripped her of the vast de Lacy and Earldom of Lincoln inheritance.
In an act of remarkable political acumen and personal courage, Alice de Lacy skilfully negotiated the treacherous court politics of the era. She was compelled to yield certain estates to the King's favourite, Hugh Despenser the Younger, but successfully navigated the crisis to ultimately retain a significant portion of her ancestral lands, including the core of her inheritance. Her resilience ensured the continuity of the estates, safeguarding the lineage that would later pass through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Her story echoes that of an earlier chatelaine, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels.
## Distinguished Company
While a private reflection by the modern House, the day’s commemoration is centred on the principal historical figures whose actions shaped the events of 1322. These include, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward II of England * The Right Honourable Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and Earl of Lincoln * The Right Honourable Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury
The complex interplay between these three figures determined not only the fate of a great rebellion but also the very survival of the estates and titles, including the Barony of Brattleby, for future generations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The observance of this historical anniversary within The Noble House of Brattleby follows a discreet and private protocol. There is no public wreath-laying or formal event. Instead, the day is marked by a review of historical charters and chronicles related to the period, a tradition that reinforces the family’s role as stewards of a living history.
This act of remembrance is a personal duty undertaken by the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby. It is an educational moment intended to impress upon the family, including the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the weight of responsibility that accompanies the title and the lessons of steadfastness embodied by predecessors like Alice de Lacy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The commemoration is deeply intertwined with the guiding principles of the House, as expressed in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The story of Alice de Lacy’s survival against overwhelming political and personal odds is a powerful manifestation of fortitude, the first tenet of the House motto.
Her actions exemplify the strategic courage required to uphold honour and duty in the face of adversity. This historical precedent informs the modern House's approach to its responsibilities. Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the proactive and resilient spirit necessary to overcome challenges — a spirit Alice de Lacy demonstrated seven centuries ago.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The reflection on historical trauma and resilience serves as a powerful reminder of the House's contemporary philanthropic commitments. The story of Alice de Lacy — a narrative of navigating profound loss and securing a future against the odds — provides a historical parallel to the mission of the House's principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to helping children overcome trauma, abuse, and neglect, providing them with the therapeutic tools to build resilient and hopeful futures. The House's support for this cause is therefore not merely a matter of social responsibility but is understood as a modern expression of the same fortitude required to protect the vulnerable and ensure continuity, a principle that has been a *sine qua non* for the Barony's survival.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> "History is not a static record; it is a living presence in our lives. In figures like Alice de Lacy and Nichola de la Haye, we see not just ancestors, but powerful exemplars of female leadership and fortitude. Their legacy is a reminder that stewardship requires not only reverence for the past, but also the courage to navigate the challenges of the present."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The ability to withstand profound crisis is a defining characteristic of this Barony's long history. Alice de Lacy's story teaches us that true victory is not about the absence of struggle, but about enduring and rebuilding with honour. It is a lesson in resilience that continues to inspire our family's commitment to philanthropy and public service today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The active commemoration of the House’s history is a foundational duty, with the lessons of the past informing the commitments of the future. The principles of resilience and honour, as personified by Alice de Lacy, are being instilled in the next generation, notably the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
This forward-looking perspective shapes the House’s ongoing activities, from the Annual Winter Banquet, which raises critical funds for charitable causes, to the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating civility and social resilience. By honouring its past, The Noble House of Brattleby reinforces its pledge to serve the future with *Fortitudine et Honore*.
***
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of a near-millennial legacy through modern means. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House's contemporary mission focuses on cultural philanthropy, education, and the support of charitable causes that promote resilience in children. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to uphold its historical responsibilities while making a meaningful contribution to society. The family is committed to ensuring that the legacy of one of England’s oldest baronies continues to be a force for good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. The title has descended through some of English history's most compelling figures, including the formidable 13th-century Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron; the celebrated diplomat and soldier Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical succession of the Barony and its current tenure by Lady Nicoleta Vasile is formally recognised by His Majesty's Government, as published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's current holder is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as belonging to Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The Noble House of Brattleby's Annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic event benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com