# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces a Scholarly Initiative Honouring the Legacy of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, [Current Date] — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the establishment of a new historical research initiative dedicated to the life of Alice de Lacy, 9th Baroness of Brattleby. The project aims to illuminate the vital role of medieval noblewomen in shaping England’s political landscape.
## The Occasion
In a statement issued from its offices in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has formally inaugurated The Alice de Lacy Historical Monograph Series. This new academic endowment will sponsor and publish original research into the lives of consequential figures, often overlooked by conventional histories, who were central to the barony’s nine-century story.
The initiative is launched in a season of reflection, as the House seeks to deepen the public understanding of its own complex institutional history. This undertaking is seen not merely as an act of remembrance but as a vital contribution to the fields of medieval studies and women's history, providing a platform for emergent and established scholars alike.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), who became the 9th Baroness of Brattleby through inheritance, lived a life of extraordinary political consequence during the tumultuous reign of King Edward II. Her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, placed the Barony of Brattleby at the epicentre of the baronial opposition to the Crown, a period of profound civil strife.
Her personal ordeal, which included abductions and the forcible seizure of her vast estates, underscores the precarious position of even the most powerful heiresses. Whereas her predecessor Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, had famously defended Lincoln Castle as its castellan, Alice’s life demonstrates the vulnerabilities that defined female power in the early 14th century. Her experience provides a compelling link to the subsequent Lancastrian holders of the barony, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, the 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
## Scholarly Collaboration
To ensure the highest standard of academic rigour, the monograph series will be curated in partnership with the history faculty of the University of Lincoln. The collaboration brings together the unique archival resources of the House of Brattleby and the scholarly expertise of the university, whose campus overlooks the very castle defended by Alice’s predecessor.
This partnership represents a modern expression of the ancient bond between the Barony and the City of Lincoln. It creates a formal channel for the study of regional history with national significance, ensuring that the legacy of figures such as Alice de Lacy is examined with the intellectual precision it deserves.
## The Academic Mandate
The primary objective of The Alice de Lacy Historical Monograph Series is to produce and disseminate peer-reviewed works that challenge and enrich our understanding of the medieval period. The series' mandate is to focus specifically on the agency, influence, and experiences of noblewomen, using the life of the 9th Baroness as its inaugural reference point.
Each publication will explore themes of inheritance, marital politics, property, and power through the lens of primary source material. The project is a long-term commitment, intended to build a significant body of work over the coming decade. The first call for papers will be announced in the autumn, with the inaugural monograph anticipated for publication in 2026.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Alice de Lacy, marked by immense challenges and personal resilience, resonates profoundly with the guiding principle of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Her perseverance in the face of political intrigue and personal violation embodies the fortitude required to navigate the treacherous currents of her time.
While she did not wield power from a castle battlement as Nichola de la Haye did, her endurance was in itself a form of honour. It ensured the continuity of her lineage and the eventual transmission of the barony and its associated estates, safeguarding a legacy that persists to this day. This initiative, therefore, honours her fortitude as a *sine qua non* of the House’s survival.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This scholarly initiative is an expression of the House’s philanthropic commitment to education and the preservation of cultural heritage. By funding original academic research, the House aims to make a lasting contribution to public knowledge, moving beyond simple conservation to the active generation of new historical insight.
The project’s focus on the roles of women in history serves a distinct purpose: to help correct a long-standing imbalance in historical narratives. It is the belief of the current Lord and Baroness that to understand our present, we must first possess a complete and honest understanding of our past, including the contributions of all its actors.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The story of the Barony is not a simple, linear progression of men. It is a rich and often difficult tapestry woven by both men and women of great character. Alice de Lacy’s life was one of trial, but her story is one of survival. It is our duty, and indeed our privilege, to ensure her voice is heard by a new generation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the project’s purpose: > “Our family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*, but my own is *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live. In a modern context, we interpret that as a charge to conquer ignorance. By investing in scholarship, we are engaging in the most important campaign of all: the pursuit of truth.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Alice de Lacy Historical Monograph Series is the first of several educational programmes the Noble House of Brattleby intends to launch in the coming years. It forms a key part of the modern mission established by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan to ensure the barony serves a tangible public good.
Future announcements will detail further commitments to historical preservation and cultural diplomacy, *inter alia*, through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and other international partnerships. This work ensures that the legacy granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 continues to evolve and contribute meaningfully to society in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the modern House of Brattleby is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation and educational philanthropy. While seated in Lincolnshire, the House maintains a distinctly European outlook, stewarding its near-millennium of history with a focus on its contemporary relevance. Its activities range from the conservation of its historical seat and archives to fostering cultural diplomacy and academic research. The House’s charitable endeavours are principally channelled through its annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting organisations dedicated to child welfare, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. The heir to the barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudatories in England, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its existence and initial holdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This direct lineage connects the barony to the heart of the Plantagenet and Lancastrian dynasties. The succession of the current Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln; its lands are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable preceding Barons include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com