Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln facts for kids

Alice de Lacy (born 25 December 1281 – died 2 October 1348) was an important English noblewoman. She was known as the Countess of Lincoln and Countess of Salisbury in her own right, which is called suo jure in Latin. This means she inherited these titles directly, not through her husband.

Early Life and Marriage

Alice was born on Christmas Day in 1281 at Denbigh Castle. She was the only daughter of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln and Margaret Longespée, who was also a Countess in her own right. Alice's mother, Margaret, was a descendant of William Longespée, one of the sons of Henry II of England.

Alice had two older brothers, but they both died young. This meant Alice became the main heir to her parents' vast estates and titles. Her father was the Earl of Lincoln, and her mother was the Countess of Salisbury. This made Alice a very important and wealthy young woman.

Because of her high status, King Edward I arranged for Alice to marry his nephew, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. Alice was 13 years old when they married in 1294, and Thomas was about 16. This marriage was a big deal because it meant Thomas would gain control of Alice's huge inheritance. Even if they didn't have children, her lands would go to Thomas's family.

Alice and Thomas did not have a happy marriage. They had no children and often lived apart. Alice mostly stayed at her castle in Pickering, Yorkshire.

Becoming a Countess

Alice's mother passed away around 1309 or 1310. Alice then officially inherited her mother's titles and lands, becoming the Countess of Salisbury in her own right. Her husband, Thomas, became Earl of Salisbury because of his marriage to her.

A few years later, in 1311, Alice's father died. She then became the Countess of Lincoln in her own right. Thomas, her husband, also became Earl of Lincoln through their marriage. With his own inherited titles and control over Alice's two earldoms, Thomas of Lancaster became the richest and most powerful man in England.

First Abduction and Its Aftermath

In 1317, Alice was kidnapped from her home in Dorset. Some knights working for John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, took her to Castle Reigate. There was a strange story that one of the knights claimed Alice was his wife, but this was not true, as she was already married to Thomas.

After Alice was taken, her husband Thomas started a private fight with Warenne. However, he never asked for Alice to be returned. Some people thought King Edward II, Thomas's cousin, might have been involved in the kidnapping. It's not clear when Alice was freed or where she was between 1317 and 1322.

Thomas of Lancaster later led a rebellion against the King, but it failed. He was captured and executed in 1322 at Pontefract Castle, which had been Alice's family home. With Thomas gone, Alice should have finally gained full control of her vast inheritance. However, the King found ways to take her lands.

Imprisonment and Loss of Lands

In March 1322, the King had Alice arrested and imprisoned in York. Her stepmother, Joan Martin, was also imprisoned. The King forced Alice to give up a large part of the lands she had inherited from her father. This was to ensure she could keep some of her other possessions. Many of these lands were given to Hugh Despenser and his son, who were close to the King. For example, Denbigh Castle was given to the elder Hugh Despenser.

Alice was only released after she paid a huge sum of £20,000 to the King. This payment also allowed her to remarry if she wished and to keep some of her remaining lands. In September 1322, she was given back the Constableship of Lincoln Castle and an income her father used to receive. Her Earldom of Salisbury had been taken, but her Earldom of Lincoln was returned in December 1322.

Even after her release, Alice was kept under close watch. She was forced to give up even more of her inheritance, this time from her mother's lands. John de Warenne, who had abducted her, received many of her manors. Later, in 1331, King Edward III of England returned some of her forfeited lands, but only for her lifetime.

Second Marriage

In 1324, Alice married Eubulus le Strange, 1st Baron Strange. She was 42, and they did not have any children. This marriage seemed to be a happy one. Eubulus called Alice his "dear and loving companion" and never tried to claim the title of Earl of Lincoln through her. The King made sure that all the lands Alice had been forced to give up before this marriage were confirmed, so Eubulus couldn't try to get them back. In return, the King confirmed Alice's lifetime grants and cleared her of her first husband Thomas's debts.

In 1327, Edward II was forced to give up his throne to his son, Edward III. Edward III was still young, so his mother, Queen Isabella, became the ruler. Alice's lands that had been given to the Despensers returned to the Crown when the Despensers were executed. Isabella then took many of Alice's rightful lands for herself.

In 1330, Edward III took full control of the government. He took most of Alice's inheritance, including Denbigh, and gave it to his friend William Montacute. Montacute also received Alice's Earldom of Salisbury. However, because Alice's husband Eubulus helped Edward III take power, Alice and Eubulus were rewarded with some of her estates back. This was probably the most stable period in Alice's adult life. Eubulus died in 1335, and Alice promised not to marry again.

Second Abduction

Despite her vow, Alice, with her great wealth, did not remain a widow for long. In late 1335 or early 1336, she was kidnapped again, this time from Bolingbroke Castle by Hugh de Freyne. He entered the castle with the help of some of her servants and took her away.

Alice was allowed to gather her belongings, but when she came down, she was placed on a horse. She tried to escape by falling off, but she was put back on with someone holding her. She was then taken to Somerton Castle. Hugh and Alice soon married.

This marriage happened without the King's permission. So, the King ordered that Hugh and Alice's lands and goods be taken. However, the offense was probably forgiven after a payment, and some of her manors were returned to her the next year. Hugh de Freyne died in late 1336 or early 1337, and Alice returned to her vow of chastity.

Later Life and Death

In 1337, Alice complained that she had been imprisoned yet again. Eubulus's nephew, Roger le Strange, and Alice's half-brother, Sir John de Lacy, broke into her castle, imprisoned her, and took her belongings. However, Alice and Roger soon settled their disagreement.

Alice was known as Lady Alice or Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln, during her first marriage and widowhood. Later in life, she called herself Countess of Lincoln or Widow of Eubulus Lestrange. She lived to be 66 years old and passed away in October 1348. She was buried next to her second husband, Eubulus, at Barlings Abbey.

Before her death, her nephew-by-marriage, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, helped her with a legal case about damage to one of her estates. He was set to inherit some of her father's lands, so he had a personal reason to help. However, historians also see his actions as a sign of respect for Alice, who had faced many challenges. For the last ten years of her life, Alice also seemed to have the support of King Edward III, who helped her with legal requests.

Alice died childless in 1348. Her Earldom of Lincoln ended with her death. According to her first marriage agreement, her remaining lands from her father went to Henry of Grosmont. Her remaining lands from her mother went to James de Audley, a cousin. However, Alice had much less to leave than she once had, as many of her lands had been taken by the Crown earlier in her life.

See Also

• List of English noblewomen
• Medieval English history