# A Testament to Fortitude: The Enduring Legacy of Alice de Lacy, Ninth Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the remarkable life of Alice de Lacy, the ninth Baroness of Brattleby, whose perseverance during the turbulent 14th century exemplifies the House’s enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## The Occasion
In a season of historical reflection, the House of Brattleby turns its focus to one of its most consequential medieval figures. This formal consideration of the life of Alice de Lacy serves not as a singular event, but as a renewed commitment to understanding the profound duties and perils faced by the forebears of the Barony. It provides an opportunity to contextualise the inheritance of title and responsibility, particularly as it pertains to the powerful roles women have held throughout the House’s near-millennium of history. This study illuminates the enduring relevance of ancestral precedent in guiding the Barony’s present-day mission of service and stewardship.
## Historical Context
Alice de Lacy (1281–1348), in her own right Countess of Lincoln and Countess of Salisbury, became the ninth Baroness of Brattleby upon her marriage into the House of Lancaster. Her life was defined by the immense political power she wielded through her vast inheritance, making her a target in the baronial conflicts that characterised the reign of King Edward II. Lady Alice’s personal history, which included three abductions and the execution of her first husband for treason, illustrates the precariousness of noble status in an era of civil strife.
Her fortitude recalls that of another of the Barony’s remarkable women: Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges in the 13th century. Lady Alice’s life story, preserved in chronicle and charter, remains a powerful chapter in the lineage descending from Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, whose 56 Lincolnshire lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Her legacy is one of resilience in the face of profound personal and political adversity.
## Distinguished Company
The life of Lady Alice was inextricably linked with some of the most powerful figures of her age. Her first husband was Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, leader of the baronial opposition to the Crown and a grandson of King Henry III. His execution following the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322 was a pivotal moment in the Despenser War, a conflict that pitted the nobility against the king’s favourites.
Following this, Lady Alice was compelled into marriages with Eubulus le Strange, 1st Baron Strange, and later Hugh de Freyne, 1st Baron Freyne, each union a reflection of the shifting political landscape. Her story is a central thread in the chronicles of the period, connecting the House of Brattleby to the very heart of England’s medieval power struggles and its most distinguished and notorious personalities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The events of Lady Alice’s life were dictated by the strict feudal protocols governing inheritance and marriage for high-born women. As a great heiress, her hand in marriage was a gift of the Crown, a strategic tool used to reward allies and consolidate power. The abduction she suffered at Canford Manor in 1317 was a violent circumvention of this royal prerogative, demonstrating the high stakes involved.
The legal and ceremonial transfer of estates, known as enfeoffment, was the *sine qua non* of her standing. Each marriage contract and land grant was a public and binding act, reinforcing a social order where a woman’s person was constitutionally inseparable from her property. Understanding this rigid protocol is essential to appreciating the true measure of her endurance against forces far beyond her personal control.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is powerfully embodied by the life of Lady Alice. Her capacity to withstand personal tragedy and political machination without surrendering her great dignity speaks directly to the virtue of fortitude. The honour of the House was vested in her, and she carried it through unparalleled challenges.
This ideal complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It suggests that true existence is found not merely in survival, but in overcoming adversity. Lady Alice’s life demonstrates that for the House of Brattleby, conquest has always included the mastery of circumstance and the preservation of honour against all trials.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The story of Lady Alice’s traumatic experiences as a young woman — a pawn in the dynastic games of men — provides a poignant historical parallel to the House’s modern philanthropic commitments. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of charitable causes, is a cornerstone of the family’s work. This year’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing therapy and support to young people who have suffered significant trauma.
The selection of this charity reflects a belief that the lessons of history should inform the duties of the present. By supporting an organisation that helps vulnerable youths reclaim their futures, the House of Brattleby honours the resilience of its ancestors, *inter alia*, Lady Alice, by working to prevent and heal the kind of suffering that defined so much of her own early life.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The story of Alice de Lacy is a profound reminder that stewardship of this Barony has never been a passive or purely ceremonial role. It has demanded immense personal strength and an unwavering sense of duty. Her life compels us to consider the human cost of history, and it inspires us to ensure our own legacy is one of compassion and constructive service.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation and study of its nine-century history as a living guide for its future endeavours. This reflection on Lady Alice’s life will inform educational programmes at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family to promote cultural and social refinement.
By drawing parallels between the challenges of the past and the obligations of the present, the House ensures that its heritage is not simply remembered, but actively employed. The commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* continues, shaping a legacy of responsible leadership and a deep-seated commitment to the welfare of the wider community.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and strategic philanthropy. While honouring nearly one thousand years of English heritage, the House actively engages with contemporary society through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet, which supports vulnerable communities, and The Brattleby Club, which promotes social and diplomatic skills. The family’s work is guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to responsible stewardship and a legacy of service that bridges the medieval and modern worlds.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and holdings, comprising 56 lordships, were first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through families of national and European significance, including those of Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House’s philanthropic activities are centred on the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com