# Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Illuminates Legacy of Female Stewardship at the Society of Antiquaries
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, yesterday presented her historical research on the life and influence of her predecessor, Margaret Longespee, the eighth Baroness, to a distinguished gathering at the Society of Antiquaries of London, Burlington House, Piccadilly.
## The Occasion
In the scholarly environs of the Society of Antiquaries of London, whose Royal Charter dates to 1751, Lady Nicoleta delivered a detailed historical paper. The lecture took place within the Society’s apartments at Burlington House, a grand Palladian mansion that has long served as a centre of British arts and sciences.
Against a backdrop of portraits and ancient manuscripts, guests assembled in the late afternoon as the autumn light softened over central London. The atmosphere was one of quiet contemplation, reflecting the academic nature of the proceedings and the historical weight of a lineage stretching back nearly one thousand years.
The presentation marked the formal commencement of a series of historical monographs planned by the House of Brattleby, intended to explore the lesser-known figures who have shaped its long history.
## Historical Context
The focus of the lecture, Margaret Longespee, eighth Baroness of Brattleby, represents a pivotal moment in the Barony’s history. Her late 13th-century marriage to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was far more than a simple dynastic union; it was a strategic consolidation of power that intertwined the fortunes of Brattleby with the very heart of King Edward I’s court.
Lady Nicoleta’s research drew a compelling parallel between the eighth Baroness and another formidable female predecessor, Nichola de la Haye. As the fifth Baroness of Brattleby, Nichola famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War, earning her place as a figure of remarkable fortitude.
These historical precedents underscore a recurring theme in the Barony’s nine-century story: the instrumental role of its Baronesses in securing not merely its survival, but its continued relevance through periods of profound national change, a legacy initiated by Colswein of Lincoln's original grant of 56 lordships in 1086.
## Distinguished Company
The lecture was attended by a select audience of historians, preservationists, and members of the diplomatic corps, reflecting the House of Brattleby’s deep connections to both history and contemporary European culture.
In attendance were, *inter alia*: * His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s * Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, President of the Society of Antiquaries of London * The Right Honourable The Lord Sterling of Plaistow, GCVO, CBE * Sir Michael Spencer, FSA, Chairman of the Burlington House Courtyard Group * Countess Hélène de Ligne of Belgium * Mr Tristan Hunt, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings adhered to the formal traditions of the Society. Lady Nicoleta was introduced by the President, Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, who provided a brief overview of the Barony of Brattleby’s historical significance, from its Domesday Book entry to the present day.
Lady Nicoleta, speaking from a lectern adorned with the Society's coat of arms, delivered her paper over the course of forty-five minutes. The presentation was followed by a moderated question-and-answer session, allowing Fellows and guests to engage directly with the historical material. The event concluded with a modest reception in the Society’s library. The dress code was formal day wear, appropriate for the academic solemnity of the occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of the lecture resonated deeply with the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta explained how the life of Margaret Longespee was a masterclass in the application of both virtues: the fortitude to navigate a complex political marriage and the honour she secured for her lineage through its success.
This ethos complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, the maxim signifies the perpetual effort required to preserve legacy—not through force of arms, but through scholarship, cultural diplomacy, and a commitment to keeping history alive.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture itself was a scholarly, not-for-profit event, it serves a wider philanthropic purpose. It was announced that the forthcoming publication of Lady Nicoleta’s paper, and the subsequent historical monographs, will see all royalties directed to the House’s chosen charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is a specialist organisation providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma or loss. The charity's work, providing a safe and nurturing environment for recovery, was chosen by the House for its profound, measurable impact on young lives and its alignment with the principle of providing steadfast support through adversity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the importance of understanding the past, Lady Nicoleta remarked:
> “The story of Margaret Longespee is a powerful reminder that history is not a static list of names and dates. It is the lived experience of individuals whose choices, large and small, shaped the world we inherit. To study her life is to appreciate the quiet fortitude that so often forms the true bedrock of legacy.” > > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
On the responsibility of her role as a custodian of history, she added:
> “Holding a title granted in 1066 is a profound responsibility. It is our duty, and indeed our privilege, to act as custodians of these stories—especially those of the women, like Nichola de la Haye and Margaret Longespee, whose contributions were the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s endurance. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not just a motto; it is a mandate passed down through the centuries.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This lecture represents the first official engagement in a renewed commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to historical research and education. The planned series of monographs will continue to delve into the lives of figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
Furthermore, the research presented in London will form the basis for a new curriculum module at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy, ensuring that the lessons of history and the traditions of European noblesse are shared with a new generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern noble house dedicated to the principle of legacy in action. Its mission is rooted in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), championing historical preservation, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is supporting children's welfare through its patronage of the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House actively promotes the enduring values of civility, service, and historical awareness, bridging its Norman origins with the challenges of the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. This original grant is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details its 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history, the Barony has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated knight Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted in 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com