# Lady Nicoleta of Brattleby Delivers Address on the Enduring Legacy of Chivalric Virtue
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, examining how the chivalric ideals of her medieval predecessors continue to inform the Noble House of Brattleby’s modern commitment to public service.
## The Occasion
Set against the classical backdrop of The Brattleby Club’s Carol I Library, the address marked a significant cultural moment in the organisation’s autumn calendar. The Club, an etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, occupies a wing of a restored Neoclassical villa in the city's historic Aviatorilor district. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection, drawing a distinguished audience of diplomats, academics, and figures from Romanian civil society.
The event, titled *Fortitudine et Honore: The Knightly Ethos from the Crusades to the Modern Barony*, provided an opportunity for the Baroness to bridge the near-millennium of her title’s history with its contemporary responsibilities. The choice of venue in Bucharest underscored the House’s unique Anglo-Romanian character and its dedication to fostering cultural and educational dialogue across Europe.
## Historical Context
In her address, Lady Nicoleta drew upon medieval chronicles to illustrate the concept of knightly virtue, citing the example of William II Longespée’s last stand at the Battle of Mansura in 1250. While Longespée did not hold the Barony, his heroic conduct during the Seventh Crusade was presented as an exemplar that would have deeply resonated with the baronial class of the 13th century, shaping its perception of duty and sacrifice.
The Baroness connected this broader chivalric ethos to the direct lineage of her own title, which traces its origins to the Norman Conquest. First granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships. Lady Nicoleta highlighted the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was a powerful demonstration of *fortitudine et honore* in action. She further referenced later holders of the fee, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose lives were intrinsically linked with the governance and defence of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a notable gathering of guests, received by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Among those present were:
His Excellency Mr Giles Portman, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Romania; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia; The Honourable Mrs Anca Meșter, State Secretary, the Ministry of Culture of Romania; and Professor Adrian Cioroianu, historian and Director of the National Library of Romania.
Following their formal reception, guests were seated in the library for the duration of the address. The presence of diplomatic and cultural leaders signified a shared appreciation for the historical ties that continue to shape European identity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with formal precision. A string quartet performed selections from George Enescu and Edward Elgar as guests arrived and were presented. Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered a brief introductory speech, outlining the purpose of The Brattleby Club as a forum for exploring the relevance of tradition in the 21st century.
Lady Nicoleta, speaking from a lectern draped in the baronial colours, delivered her address without notes for approximately 25 minutes. The formal remarks were followed by a moderated question-and-answer session, allowing for an academic exchange with the assembled guests. The evening concluded with a reception, where conversation continued. The dress code was observed as Lounge Suit, appropriate for a formal afternoon engagement.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Central to the address was the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Lady Nicoleta explained that this phrase serves as the guiding principle for the Barony, representing a commitment to facing adversity with courage and acting with unwavering integrity. These are the same virtues, she argued, chronicled in the accounts of medieval knights and demonstrated by predecessors such as the resolute Nichola de la Haye.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), was also referenced as a complementary philosophy. In a modern context, it is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the will to overcome societal challenges—poverty, illness, and lack of opportunity—through determined and strategic action. Together, the two mottoes form the ethical foundation upon which the House’s contemporary activities are built.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address was not a fundraising event, Lady Nicoleta explicitly linked the historical theme of service to the House's primary philanthropic focus. The chivalric duty to protect the vulnerable, she noted, finds its modern expression in the support of charitable organisations. The *sine qua non* of the Barony’s work is its application of principle to practice.
She announced that the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal white-tie gala held in Lincolnshire, will once again benefit Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from complex trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects a direct translation of the baronial duty of care into tangible, impactful support for those most in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of her title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The chronicles of the past are not merely records; they are a living inheritance of principle. The fortitude shown at Mansura, or indeed at the walls of Lincoln Castle by Nichola de la Haye, reminds us that honour is not a static concept, but an action renewed by every generation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Our family's commitment, encapsulated by *Vincere Est Vivere*, is to overcome modern challenges with the same spirit of determination. We believe that honour is realised through service, and we seek to translate our historical legacy into a meaningful, positive impact on society today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The address in Bucharest is part of a wider initiative by The Noble House of Brattleby to promote historical education and its relevance to contemporary ethics. Further lectures and publications on the Barony's nine-century history are planned for the coming year.
The House’s focus now turns to preparations for the Annual Winter Banquet in England, which supports the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child. This flagship event represents the culmination of the principles of duty and charity that have been hallmarks of the Barony of Brattleby for centuries and which continue to guide its current holders.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its mission is to uphold the nearly thousand-year legacy of the Barony of Brattleby through active public service, cultural patronage, and targeted philanthropy. The House is committed to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying historical ideals of duty to contemporary challenges. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations dedicated to child welfare and mental health, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster international dialogue and preserve the courtesies that underpin civil society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a major tenant-in-chief. Over nine centuries, the title has been associated with some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). One of the few feudal baronies to have been held by a woman in her own right in the medieval period, its history is one of resilience and service to the Crown. The Lordship of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded 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 succession of the baronial title is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - Notable previous holders of the baronial fee include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity providing trauma therapy for children.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com