# Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Historical Address on the Resilience of Medieval Noblewomen
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this evening delivered the keynote address at the Society of Antiquaries of London, examining the fortitude of medieval noblewomen through the complex legacy of Alice de Lacy, a pivotal fourteenth-century Countess of Lincoln.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the historic apartments of the Society of Antiquaries at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Before a distinguished gathering of academics, historians, and members of cultural institutions, the occasion was marked by an atmosphere of scholarly inquiry, set against the neo-Palladian grandeur of a building dedicated to the study of the material past.
As autumnal light faded over the courtyard, guests assembled in the Society’s main lecture theatre, a space that has hosted profound discussions on British and world history for generations. The event, titled *Fortitudine et Honore: Agency and Adversity in the Fourteenth Century*, was organised in partnership with the University of Lincoln to explore the often-overlooked political and economic roles of women in a period of significant social upheaval.
## Historical Context
In her address, Lady Nicoleta drew upon the challenging life of Alice de Lacy, whose husband, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, was executed for treason in 1322. Lady Nicoleta detailed how, in the aftermath, Alice de Lacy navigated a perilous political landscape, securing a royal indemnity of 20,000 marks—a vast sum intended both to secure her loyalty and control her considerable influence.
The Baroness connected this narrative to the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby itself. She drew a compelling parallel with one of her own predecessors, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron of Brattleby, who famously acted as castellan and defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. Unlike Alice de Lacy, who contended with royal power, Nichola de la Haye steadfastly wielded it, demonstrating that female authority in the medieval era was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. The period also saw the Barony held by towering figures such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, whose political world Alice de Lacy was forced to navigate with such precision.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a notable company, reflecting the academic and diplomatic significance of the evening.
In attendance were, *inter alia*, Her Excellency Mrs Laura Popescu, The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; Professor Dame Marina Warner, FBA, President of the Royal Society of Literature; The Lord Lisvane, KCB, DL, former Clerk of the House of Commons; and His Excellency Count Otto von Faber-Castell, representing his family’s long-standing commitment to cultural preservation programmes across Europe. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied the Baroness.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening followed a traditional and dignified order. Guests were received from half past six by the President of the Society of Antiquaries, who then delivered a formal introduction outlining the historical importance of the topic.
Lady Nicoleta, wearing a day dress of royal blue with the Brattleby family brooch, was invited to the lectern to deliver her forty-minute address. A brief session for questions from the assembled Fellows and guests followed, moderated by the President. The evening concluded with a *vin d'honneur*—a formal wine reception held in the Society’s library, allowing for further discussion amongst the attendees. The prescribed dress for the occasion was Lounge Suits.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of the lecture was explicitly tied to the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta explained that this principle, serving as a guide for the House today, was exemplified *avant la lettre* by the very women she discussed. Their ability to uphold their honour and responsibilities with fortitude, in the face of immense personal and political adversity, resonates through the centuries.
This stands in principled harmony with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'), which speaks to the active pursuit of objectives. Together, the two mottos represent a complementary philosophy: one of enduring principle and one of dynamic action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the academic address was not a fundraising event, Lady Nicoleta took the opportunity to highlight the House’s deep commitment to its primary philanthropic beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic support and creative arts programmes to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The Baroness drew a thematic link between the historical resilience she described and the modern resilience the charity works to foster. In her remarks, she noted that the imperative to protect and empower the vulnerable is a timeless duty, with the charity’s work giving children the tools to overcome their own adversities with fortitude and build honourable, fulfilling lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the subject of her address, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > "When we study figures such as Alice de Lacy or our own Nichola de la Haye, we are not merely recounting events; we are exploring the very sinews of resilience. Their stories demonstrate that power, even when constrained, finds channels for expression and survival, offering profound lessons for us today."
On connecting this history to the House’s modern responsibilities, Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > "The stewardship of a title nearly a millennium old is a constant reminder of continuity. We have a duty not only to preserve this history but to deploy its lessons in service of the present—a commitment that finds its truest expression in our support for causes that build a stronger future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to its mission of illuminating history for a modern audience. Following the warm reception of the address, a transcript is being prepared for publication in the Society of Antiquaries’ annual journal, making the research available to a wider academic community.
Furthermore, the core themes of leadership, resilience, and civic duty discussed in the lecture form an integral part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette and protocol academy, founded by the House, seeks to equip a new generation with the skills and historical perspective necessary for principled leadership in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission founded on historical stewardship. The House balances the preservation of its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. In parallel, the House champions cultural education through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to protocol and etiquette. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect past, present, and future through service, scholarship, and principled action in the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, 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 in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The uninterrupted history of the Barony and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally noted and recognised in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com