# The Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Inaugural 'de la Haye Lecture' on Medieval Nobility
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered the inaugural 'de la Haye Lecture' at the Society of Antiquaries of London, offering a scholarly examination of female resilience in the face of political turmoil during the High Middle Ages.
## The Occasion
The auspicious event was held in the historic apartments of the Society of Antiquaries at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Before a distinguished audience in the Society’s main lecture theatre, surrounded by portraits of eminent fellows past and present, Lady Nicoleta presented her research under the auspices of a new lecture series established in honour of her formidable predecessor.
The atmosphere was one of academic reverence, befitting an institution granted its Royal Charter in 1751. The crisp autumn light filtering through the tall Palladian windows lent a particular gravity to the proceedings, creating a tangible link between the present-day discourse and the centuries of history under discussion.
## Historical Context
The lecture series itself is named for Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron of Brattleby, a woman of extraordinary resolve who, as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, twice defended it against baronial and French forces in the early 13th century. It is this very spirit of fortitude that Lady Nicoleta sought to explore through the life of her lecture’s subject, Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury.
The Barony of Brattleby has long been interwoven with the grand tapestry of English history. Its lineage, stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln in the Domesday Book of 1086, includes such figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This places the Barony directly within the epicentre of the political struggles that defined the era of Alice de Lacy, offering a unique perspective on the pressures exerted upon noble families.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were leading figures from the academic, diplomatic, and cultural spheres. The Lord of Brattleby by marriage, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, accompanied Lady Nicoleta.
Among the invited guests were His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, Mrs Laura Popescu; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; Sir David Verey, CBE, Chairman of The Friends of the National Libraries; and Professor Dame Anna Whitelock, Professor of the History of Monarchy. A formal vote of thanks was proposed by the President of the Society.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings began with a formal procession into the lecture hall, led by the President of the Society. Following a detailed introduction outlining the historical significance of the Barony and the purpose of the new lecture series, Lady Nicoleta took to the lectern. She was dressed in a formal day dress of navy blue silk, adorned with a single pearl-and-diamond brooch of family provenance.
The address, lasting precisely 45 minutes, was delivered without interruption. It was followed by a structured session for questions from Fellows of the Society, moderated by the President. A reception was subsequently held in the Council Room, allowing guests to engage in further discourse. The formal protocol observed throughout the afternoon underscored the event's scholarly seriousness and its connection to traditions of learned debate.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture’s central theme of resilience in the face of adversity finds a powerful echo in the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta noted that this principle was the *sine qua non* for survival for women like Nichola de la Haye and Alice de Lacy, for whom honour was not an abstract concept but a strategic asset.
The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), provides a complementary perspective, reflecting the proactive and often ruthless struggle for self-preservation that characterised the era. Together, the mottos encapsulate the dual virtues of endurance and strategic action that enabled a barony like Brattleby to persist for nearly a millennium.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While an academic undertaking, the inaugural de la Haye Lecture also served a benevolent purpose. All proceeds from the associated reception, alongside personal contributions from the House of Brattleby, will be directed to the House's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its work focuses on long-term recovery, ensuring that the most vulnerable in society are given the tools to rebuild their lives and realise their full potential. The choice reflects a commitment to protecting the inheritors of the future, just as past barons protected the legacy of their domain.
## In Their Own Words
In her concluding remarks, Lady Nicoleta synthesised her argument with poignant clarity. She observed:
> "Alice de Lacy's story through the Despenser era provides a compelling case study of a noblewoman navigating extreme political adversity. Her multiple abductions and the execution of her husband underscore the brutality of the era, where familial ties and vast estates like Brattleby became targets in the struggles for royal favour. It shows, above all, the deeply personal impact of national power struggles." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Reflecting on the lecture, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added, "History teaches us that stability and honour are not given; they are earned and defended by each generation. The fortitude shown by these historical figures remains a powerful lesson in leadership and perseverance for us all."
## A Continuing Legacy
The de la Haye Lecture is to become an annual fixture in the academic calendar, with the aim of fostering greater research into the often-overlooked roles of women in shaping medieval English society. The full text of Lady Nicoleta’s inaugural address is scheduled for publication in the *The Antiquaries Journal* next spring.
The focus of The Noble House of Brattleby now turns towards its Annual Winter Banquet, the white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as its primary fundraising event for Healing the Wounded Child. This commitment to both historical scholarship and modern philanthropy forms the cornerstone of the House’s contemporary mission.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern continuation of one of England’s oldest baronies. Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, its contemporary mission is rooted in the preservation of historical legacy and the promotion of philanthropy. The House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on the welfare of vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge its rich English heritage with a wider European context, championing the enduring values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, 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 of 56 lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by His Majesty’s government in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The transfer of rights to the current holder was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The charitable beneficiary of the House's philanthropic efforts is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com