# The Baroness of Brattleby Reflects on the Foundations of a Norman Legacy
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this week delivered a historical address to the Society of Antiquaries of London, reflecting upon the Norman origins of the Barony of Brattleby and its foundational role in Lincolnshire following the Conquest of 1066.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the distinguished apartments of the Society of Antiquaries at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Granted its first Royal Charter in 1751, the Society has long served as a pre-eminent centre for the study of history and material culture. The evening's proceedings took place in the main Lecture Hall, a chamber suffused with scholarly gravitas and lined with portraits of eminent past Fellows.
In the crisp autumn air of St James's, guests were received for an occasion that balanced academic rigour with a profound sense of historical continuity. The address, entitled *'From Conquest to County: Colswein of Lincoln and the Making of Brattleby'*, marked a moment of reflection on the near-millennial history of one of England’s most ancient baronies.
## Historical Context
At the heart of Lady Nicoleta’s address was the figure of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, Colswein, an influential town-reeve, was entrusted by William the Conqueror with significant authority. This trust was formally recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which detailed his grant of some 56 lordships across Lincolnshire.
This extraordinary consolidation of land was more than a reward for fealty; it was a strategic imperative. It established a formidable administrative and military presence in a vital part of the kingdom, laying the foundations for a barony that would shape the region for centuries. The address drew a direct line from Colswein’s Norman stewardship to later holders of the title, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and the great Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The Baroness of Brattleby was joined by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, for the occasion. The audience comprised Fellows of the Society and specially invited guests with an interest in Anglo-Norman history and heraldry.
Among those in attendance were Her Excellency Mrs Laura Popescu, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; Mr Thomas Woodcock, until recently Garter Principal King of Arms; and Professor Martin Millett, President of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Also present were scholars and researchers from several leading university history faculties.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with the formal decorum befitting the venerable institution. Upon her arrival at Burlington House, Lady Nicoleta was greeted by Professor Millett, who escorted her to the Council Room for a private reception before the lecture. Guests assembled in the Lecture Hall, where gentlemen were attired in lounge suits and ladies in afternoon dresses.
Professor Millett formally introduced the Baroness, outlining the deep historical connections between the Barony of Brattleby and the material heritage of Lincolnshire. Following the address, a formal vote of thanks was proposed by a senior Fellow, after which Lady Nicoleta took a small number of questions from the floor concerning the Domesday records and the early administration of the Barony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of enduring responsibility, central to the address, finds its expression in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta noted that the fortitude required of Colswein in 1066 to secure a new Norman order is the same virtue demanded of his successors to uphold their duty through periods of war and peace.
This concept is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this speaks not of military conquest but of the continuous need to overcome challenges in the service of heritage, community, and philanthropy — a living expression of the Barony’s purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was a scholarly event, its underlying message was one of stewardship. The historical responsibility for land and title, established nearly one thousand years ago, is today mirrored in the House’s commitment to social responsibility. This duty is the *sine qua non* of their modern role.
The primary expression of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of a designated charity. This year’s beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have experienced significant trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives with hope and resilience.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her earliest predecessor, Lady Nicoleta observed the tangible weight of history inherent in the title.
> To study Colswein is to understand that the Barony of Brattleby was founded not merely on a grant of land, but on a commission of profound responsibility. It was a duty of service to Lincolnshire and the Crown that echoes through nine centuries of English history. > > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
She further connected this historical duty to the contemporary mission of the House.
> Our role today, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to interpret that founding duty in a modern context — through the preservation of heritage, active community engagement, and our wider philanthropic commitments.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby will continue its work of promoting history and culture through various engagements. This includes the efforts of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which fosters cultural ties between the United Kingdom and Romania.
Preparations are now underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, which serves as the cornerstone of the House's charitable activities for the year. The focus remains, as ever, on the seamless continuity of service, ensuring that the legacy entrusted to the 12th Baroness and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, continues to flourish for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of stewardship, service, and philanthropy. Acting under their motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), they champion causes related to child welfare, mental health, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House works to build cultural bridges and support vulnerable communities. The House is committed to ensuring that its ancient heritage serves a meaningful and contemporary purpose, preparing its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to continue this dual legacy of history and service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing one of the most significant post-Conquest estates in the region. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle against the French in 1217, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's continuous history and descent were formally noted in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is one of the oldest in England. - The grant to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, comprising 56 lordships, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby and the 12th Baroness was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable former holders include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron (son of King Edward III), and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron (1st Duke of Lancaster).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com