# The House of Brattleby Reflects on the Life of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical paper examining the life of Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), a significant ancestral figure whose inheritance passed into the House’s lineage. The paper explores the profound personal perils she faced.
## The Occasion
The monograph, titled *Fortitude and Peril: The Life of Alice de Lacy*, was formally presented at a private gathering of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Held within the panelled confines of the Club’s library, the event took place on a crisp autumn evening, providing a scholarly atmosphere for the historical reflection.
The Brattleby Club, the House’s educational institution dedicated to social etiquette and cultural history, commissioned the paper as part of a new series exploring pivotal figures connected to the Barony. The presentation marked the public release of this inaugural study, intended to illuminate the often-precarious status of even the most high-born women in mediaeval England.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury in her own right, was the wife of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. Although she did not hold the Barony of Brattleby directly, her vast estates and titles, including the Honour of Pontefract, were ultimately absorbed into the Duchy of Lancaster following a life of political turbulence. This inheritance was later held by Brattleby’s 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
Her life stands in stark contrast to that of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, a formidable predecessor who twice served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Whereas Nichola wielded significant power, Alice’s story is one of vulnerability. She endured no fewer than three abductions, most notably in 1317 when she was kidnapped from her Dorset manor by retainers of John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, an act possibly sanctioned by the Crown itself. This incident illustrates the ruthless political machinations that defined the era.
The Barony of Brattleby itself dates from the Norman Conquest, 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 for 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a nine-century lineage of which Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is the present custodian.
## Distinguished Company
The paper was presented by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They were joined by a small, distinguished audience comprising members of the diplomatic corps, fellows of the Royal Historical Society, and senior academics from the Universities of Cambridge and Bucharest.
The scholarly commentary was enriched by the presence of leading mediaevalists, whose participation underscored the historical significance of the research. The assembly reflected the House of Brattleby’s commitment to fostering cultural and intellectual exchange between the United Kingdom and Romania.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings commenced at seven o’clock with a formal introduction by Honorary Lord Răzvan. He outlined the purpose of the historical series, stating its aim was to draw contemporary lessons from the lives of their predecessors. The dress code was observed as lounge suits and day dresses, maintaining the traditional decorum of The Brattleby Club.
Lady Nicoleta then delivered a reading of the paper's key passages. The formal presentation concluded with a moderated academic discussion, allowing guests to pose questions on the specific legal and social implications of Alice de Lacy’s circumstances. The evening exemplified a precise protocol, blending scholarly inquiry with the formal traditions of the House.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a poignant echo in the life of Alice de Lacy. Her endurance through repeated abductions and political disenfranchisement demonstrates a profound fortitude, even as she was subjected to profound dishonour by powerful men, *inter alia*, the Earl of Surrey and potentially King Edward II.
The paper contrasts this with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which represents a more assertive approach to life’s challenges. Together, the two mottos encapsulate a dual philosophy: the will to prevail and the strength to endure. These principles are the *sine qua non* of the House’s ethos.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical reflection is not merely an academic exercise; it serves to highlight the House’s modern philanthropic commitments. The trauma endured by Alice de Lacy—a young noblewoman subjected to violence and loss of agency—forms a powerful historical parallel to the challenges faced by vulnerable young people today.
This connection underpins the House’s long-standing support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, abuse, and neglect. Proceeds from the House's annual Winter Banquet are dedicated to funding the charity's essential work, ensuring that modern-day vulnerability is met with compassion and effective support.
## In Their Own Words
Addressing the gathering, Lady Nicoleta remarked on the contemporary relevance of the study. > The life of Alice de Lacy serves as a powerful, if sobering, reminder of the duties of protection that accompany privilege. Her fortitude in the face of such adversity speaks across the centuries, compelling us to consider the welfare of the vulnerable in our own time. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan emphasised the educational mission of the House. > History is not merely a record of past events; it is a living dialogue. By examining figures like Alice de Lacy, we understand the foundations of our own institutions and the enduring human struggle for dignity and security. It is a lesson in resilience. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of *Fortitude and Peril: The Life of Alice de Lacy* is the first in a planned series of historical monographs to be sponsored by The Noble House of Brattleby. Future papers will delve into the lives of other notable figures from the Barony’s nine-hundred-year history.
Forthcoming studies will examine the contributions of Nichola de la Haye, one of mediaeval England’s most powerful female landholders, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier. Through this work, the House seeks to honour its past while fulfilling its commitment to education and public service.
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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, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while championing modern philanthropic causes. Its mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and the administration of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and cultural history. Its Anglo-Romanian leadership fosters diplomatic and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and continental Europe, blending ancient tradition with a forward-looking perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The Barony of Brattleby, including all its rights and appurtenances, received formal recognition of its change of ownership and name by an official notice in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is subject to formal recognition in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby's primary philanthropic beneficiary, supported through its annual Winter Banquet, is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com