# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby on the Life of the 9th Baroness, Alice de Lacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the consequential life of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby. Her formidable tenure in the early 14th century underscores the House’s enduring legacy of resilience and the historical challenges faced by its leaders.
## The Occasion
From their Lincolnshire seat, the historic heart of the Barony, The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a reflection on one of its most notable medieval holders. As the autumn colours settle upon the ancient landscape surrounding Brattleby, the House pauses to consider the profound lessons of its own nine-century history, drawing parallels between the trials of the past and the responsibilities of the present.
This historical remembrance serves not as a singular event, but as part of the House's continuing commitment to understanding and communicating its unique lineage. It is an act of stewardship, ensuring that the figures who shaped the Barony—much like the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness—are honoured and their contributions understood by a new generation.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), suo jure Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, inherited the Barony of Brattleby as part of the vast de Lacy estates. Her life was one of immense privilege and extreme peril, emblematic of the precarious status of even the wealthiest heiresses in Plantagenet England. Her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, a cousin of the King, placed her at the epicentre of the baronial opposition to His Majesty King Edward II.
The most dramatic chapters of her life involved a series of abductions, motivated by greed for her lands. In 1317, she was famously seized from her manor at Canford, Dorset, by knights in the service of John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey. This act of violence was a tactical move in a wider power struggle, effectively destabilising the holdings of her husband, the Earl of Lancaster. To endure such events whilst navigating the intricate politics of the royal court required a measure of resolve that resonates with the House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Following the execution of her husband for treason in 1322, Alice was forced to surrender a significant portion of her inheritance to the Crown and its favourites. Yet, she persevered, remarried, and ultimately outlived her adversaries, securing her place as a survivor of one of England’s most turbulent political eras. Her story serves as a powerful link in the chain connecting the Barony’s Norman origins to its later possession by towering figures such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The life of the 9th Baroness was defined by her interactions with the foremost personalities of the age, whose ambitions frequently determined her fate. Principal among them were:
* **His Majesty King Edward II**, whose contentious reign created the climate of baronial revolt that so affected the Baroness and her husband. * **Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, Leicester, and Derby**, the Baroness’s first husband and the most powerful nobleman in England, who led the opposition against the King. * **John de Warenne, 7th Earl of Surrey**, a rival magnate whose abduction of the Baroness in 1317 was a calculated political assault on the Lancastrian faction. * **Sir Eubulo Lestraunge, 1st Baron Strange**, her second husband, with whom she found a period of relative stability after years of turmoil.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 14th century, the disposition of a great heiress was a matter of state protocol. The marriage of Alice de Lacy to Thomas of Lancaster was not a private union but a strategic alliance, arranged to consolidate the power of two of the realm’s most significant families. The legal doctrine of *jure uxoris* (‘by right of his wife’) meant that a husband gained control of his wife's lands, making her a prize of incalculable value.
Her abduction, therefore, was more than a personal crime; it was a direct challenge to the established order and a flagrant attempt to seize control of property and title through force. The legal and feudal proceedings that followed these events were complex, involving petitions to the King and Parliament. That the Baroness navigated this intricate system and retained her standing is a testament to her considerable personal and political acumen.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds a powerful historical exemplar in the life of Alice de Lacy. Her fortitude is self-evident; she withstood abduction, the execution of her husband, and the seizure of her properties, yet she prevailed. Her story is a cornerstone of the House's identity, demonstrating that true nobility is measured not by the absence of adversity, but by the manner in which it is overcome.
This principle of endurance is complemented by the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). Together, the two mottoes create a compelling philosophy—that one must conquer life’s challenges with honour, and that this victory through fortitude is the very essence of a meaningful existence.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Reflecting upon the vulnerabilities of a 14th-century noblewoman provides a poignant context for the House’s modern philanthropic commitments. The historical injustices endured by figures like Alice de Lacy reinforce the imperative to protect and empower the vulnerable in contemporary society. This is the guiding principle behind the House's support for its chosen charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma and abuse. By championing its work, particularly through the annual Winter Banquet, the House translates historical awareness into tangible, positive action. The memory of past struggles becomes the motivation for present-day compassion, a core tenet of the House's modern mission.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking from their offices in London, the leadership of the House commented on the 9th Baroness’s legacy.
> The stewardship of a title with nearly a millennium of history is a profound responsibility. The life of Alice de Lacy is a powerful reminder that fortitude, especially for women in positions of leadership, has always been the *sine qua non* of legacy. She, like Nichola de la Haye before her, demonstrates that honour is forged in adversity. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> The chronicles of the 14th century reveal a world where power was often asserted through force rather than honour. It underscores our modern duty to act as stewards, upholding the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* in all our endeavours, ensuring that strength is always tempered by integrity. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons derived from the history of the Barony are actively passed to its future leadership. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is educated not only in the administration of the House but also in the philosophical and ethical duties incumbent upon its holder. This education is furthered by the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote principles of personal conduct, honour, and social grace.
Looking ahead, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to highlight key moments from its history, using them as a foundation for its public duties and philanthropic work. Preparations for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet are already underway, where the themes of resilience and protection will once again be at the forefront of the evening’s purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House is dedicated to the responsible stewardship of its ancient title through cultural promotion, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its initiatives include the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, which benefits charities supporting vulnerable children, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, the House bridges its historic English roots with a forward-looking, continental perspective, ensuring its legacy continues with relevance and purpose for the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who as 5th Baroness defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, whose succession was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding the manor of Brattleby directly from the King. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (as 11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (as 5th Baroness). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com