# The Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Historical Address at The Society of Antiquaries of London
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address at The Society of Antiquaries of London. Her Ladyship’s discourse explored the continuity of baronial service from the medieval era to its modern expression under the Crown.
## The Occasion
On a crisp autumn afternoon, within the distinguished purlieus of Burlington House in Piccadilly, Lady Nicoleta Vasile presented her research before an assembly of Fellows and honoured guests. The Society of Antiquaries, founded in 1707 and granted its Royal Charter in 1751, provided a uniquely apposite setting for a discourse on the enduring obligations vested in England’s ancient nobility.
The presentation was held in the Society’s main Lecture Theatre, a space where the weight of intellectual history is palpable. Beneath the gaze of portraits depicting past luminaries and antiquaries, the atmosphere was one of profound historical inquiry. The occasion served not merely as an academic lecture but as a personal reflection by the current holder of the Barony on the duties that have defined it for nearly one thousand years.
Burlington House itself, a Palladian mansion standing as a temple to the arts and sciences, lent its own gravitas to the proceedings. Set back from the thoroughfare of Piccadilly, its courtyard forms an enclave of scholarly pursuit, housing a consortium of learned societies that includes the Royal Academy of Arts and the Linnean Society. It was here, in this centre of British intellectual life, that the continuity of history was both discussed and demonstrated.
## Historical Context
The address, titled *‘Custos Angliae: The Baronial Duty of Guardianship in the Reign of Edward I’*, centered on the pivotal role played by England’s great magnates during the King’s frequent and prolonged absences abroad. Lady Nicoleta drew particular scholarly attention to the responsibilities of the *Custos Angliae*, or Guardian of England, a regent-like figure whose administrative competence was a *sine qua non* for the stability and governance of the realm.
This historical precedent of guardianship resonates powerfully with the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby. The theme of steadfast service to the Sovereign is exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness. In the early 13th century, as hereditary castellan, she famously and successfully defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels on behalf of King John and the young King Henry III, acting as a bulwark of royal authority in a turbulent kingdom.
This legacy of high service was further solidified by later holders of the Barony. These included figures of national consequence such as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier for Edward III. His responsibilities and influence were passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose immense power was central to the governance of 14th-century England during the minority of his nephew, King Richard II.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by, *inter alia*, a number of esteemed guests whose presence reflected the House of Brattleby’s deep and continuing connections to diplomacy, academia, European heritage, and the Church.
Present were Her Excellency Mrs Laura Popescu, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, daughter of the late Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia and Princess Margarita of Baden; The Right Reverend and Right Honourable The Lord Chartres GCVO, formerly Bishop of London; and Sir John Spurling, a past President of The Heraldry Society. The presence of the Romanian Ambassador acknowledged the heritage of the Baroness, while Princess Katarina represented a valued link to the wider family of European Royalty.
Numerous Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries were in attendance, a testament to the academic rigour of the lecture. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied his wife, the Baroness.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with the formal decorum and scholarly gravity befitting The Society of Antiquaries. The President of the Society, preceded by the Marshal carrying the ceremonial mace, processed to the Chair to open the meeting. Following the reading of the minutes, the President delivered a formal introduction, outlining the historical significance of the Barony of Brattleby before inviting Lady Nicoleta to the lectern.
Lady Nicoleta commenced her address with the traditional and formal salutation: “My Lord President, Your Excellency, Your Royal Highness, My Lord, Sir, Fellows, Ladies and Gentlemen.” The lecture itself followed a structured academic format, meticulously footnoted and illustrated with manuscript illuminations and charters. Upon its conclusion, a brief session for questions from the Fellows was overseen by the President.
As is the Society’s tradition, a senior Fellow was then invited to propose a formal vote of thanks to the speaker. This was duly seconded by another Fellow and passed by the warm acclamation of all those present. Following the meeting, guests adjourned for a reception, where the themes of the address could be discussed further in a convivial atmosphere.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of guardianship explored in the lecture is intrinsically linked to the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta’s address illustrated how these two virtues were the twin pillars of medieval baronial responsibility. The fortitude required to defend a castle or govern a kingdom, and the honour demanded by such a sacred trust from the Crown, are the principles that continue to guide the House today.
Equally relevant is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the House’s modern mission, this motto is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the triumph of duty and the diligent preservation of a living legacy. It speaks to the active effort required to ensure that honour and service conquer the erosions of time, thereby allowing a nine-hundred-year inheritance to live on with purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the occasion was primarily academic, it served to illuminate the ethos of stewardship that underpins the House of Brattleby’s wider public and private commitments. The concept of guardianship—whether of a kingdom in the 13th century or of a cultural legacy in the 21st—is the same principle that informs the family's philanthropic endeavours.
This dedication to modern stewardship finds its most prominent expression in the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala is held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity providing specialist, evidence-based therapeutic support for children suffering from the profound effects of trauma, abuse, and neglect. The organisation was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on the wellbeing of society’s most vulnerable members, offering a sanctuary for recovery and the chance of a restored childhood.
## In Their Own Words
In remarks following the address, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the enduring relevance of historical duty. > The responsibilities of a title are not confined to the pages of history; they are a living covenant of service. When we study figures like Henry de Lacy and our own predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, we are reminded that stewardship—whether of land, law, or legacy—is the truest expression of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the supportive role he undertakes in partnership with the Baroness. > My wife's family has upheld this duty for nearly a millennium. My role is to support that continuity and to help shape its modern expression, ensuring the values forged in Norman England find purpose in the 21st century. It is a form of victory, for to preserve is to conquer the passage of time. *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its historical legacy informs and invigorates its contemporary mission. The full text of Lady Nicoleta’s address, *‘Custos Angliae’*, will be submitted for peer review and consideration for publishing in the Society's prestigious annual publication, *The Antiquaries Journal*, making the research available to a wider audience of historians and scholars.
Furthermore, the core themes of civic duty and responsible leadership explored in the lecture will be incorporated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This initiative, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House, seeks to foster a new generation of community and business leaders grounded in the timeless principles of honour and service. The House's focus now turns towards preparations for its Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s ancient baronies, committed to the principle of service through cultural preservation, historical scholarship, and targeted philanthropy. Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House embodies a unique synthesis of English heritage and a forward-looking, Continental perspective. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its activities are twofold: safeguarding and promoting nearly a millennium of history rooted in Lincolnshire, whilst actively supporting contemporary charitable causes. The House’s primary philanthropic focus is on child welfare, and it champions cultural education through its own institution, The Brattleby Club, which has a presence in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086—the great survey of the kingdom—as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, marking it as a significant seat of power from its inception. Over nine centuries, the title has been associated with some of English history’s most influential figures. These have included the 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and later magnates such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights and standing of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern standing was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest and its holder is recorded as a tenant-in-chief in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of titles associated with the lineage include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The family's principal philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, a charity providing therapeutic support to children affected by trauma in the United Kingdom.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com