# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Centuries of Lineage and Service
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today hosted a historical symposium in London charting the Barony’s descent through England’s great medieval families. The occasion served to illuminate an unbroken legacy of service extending from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## The Occasion
The symposium was held within the distinguished confines of the Travellers Club on Pall Mall. The club’s magnificent Inigo Jones room, with its neoclassical proportions and scholarly atmosphere designed by Sir Charles Barry, provided a fitting setting for an afternoon of historical reflection. Against a backdrop of autumnal London, guests convened to explore the rich tapestry of a barony nearly a millennium in the making.
The proceedings were marked by a tone of academic rigour and quiet celebration, bringing together historians, members of the diplomatic corps, and friends of the House. The event underscored the family's commitment to honouring its past as a foundation for its present and future responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. It was first recorded formally in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which catalogued 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The subsequent centuries witnessed the Barony’s evolution through a fascinating series of strategic alliances and inheritances.
This continuity of lineage passed through some of the most influential families in medieval England, including de la Haye, Longespee, and de Lacy. A particularly notable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, served as the 5th Baron and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, famously defending it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. Her example of leadership embodies the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
The Barony later passed into Royal hands through Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Following the accession of John of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony of Brattleby was merged with the Crown, where it remained for centuries before its modern revival.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to welcome a number of distinguished guests to the symposium.
Among those present were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, The Right Honourable the Lord Chartwell CVO, and Professor Alistair Finch, Fellow in Medieval History at Lincoln College, Oxford.
The presence of guests from diplomatic, academic, and aristocratic spheres reflected the House’s historic and continuing role as a point of confluence for culture and scholarship in both Britain and Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The afternoon’s proceedings adhered to a dignified and traditional protocol. Guests were received in the club’s cocktail bar and drawing room before being seated for the main presentation. The dress code observed was lounge suits, in keeping with the formal but academic nature of the gathering.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered the opening remarks, welcoming guests and framing the historical importance of the Barony. Professor Finch then presented the keynote lecture, titled *From Colswein to Gaunt: Intermarriage and Influence in a Lincolnshire Barony*. The formal session concluded with a closing address from Lady Nicoleta, who reflected on the themes of stewardship and legacy. Following the addresses, guests were invited to a reception.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage and ethos of the House are powerfully conveyed through its heraldic mottoes. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring principles of courage and integrity that have guided the Barony's holders for over 950 years. It serves as a perpetual reminder of the duties of service and custodianship.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this ancient charge with a dynamic, forward-looking spirit. It signifies a commitment to overcoming modern challenges and ensuring the House not only endures but also thrives through active engagement in philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the symposium was principally a historical commemoration, it also served to highlight the House’s charitable commitments. The beneficiary of the family’s annual philanthropic efforts, notably the Winter Banquet, is the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation.
The foundation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support to children who have endured significant trauma, conflict, or loss. All proceeds from the sale of the published symposium papers will be donated directly to the charity to support its vital work in restoring hope and resilience to vulnerable young lives. This nexus of history and charity is a *sine qua non* of the House's modern mission.
## In Their Own Words
In her closing remarks, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the weight of history:
> "To understand the journey of those who came before us—the alliances they forged, the castles they defended, and the legacy they built—is not merely an academic exercise. It is the very foundation of our duty to serve the present with the same fortitude and honour that defined our past."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile connected this heritage to the House’s contemporary activities:
> "The great families of the Barony's past built resilience through alliance and a clear sense of purpose. Today, we strive to do the same, forging modern partnerships in philanthropy and cultural education to create a lasting and positive impact."
## A Continuing Legacy
Today’s symposium marks the beginning of a season of cultural and philanthropic activities for The Noble House of Brattleby. The House looks forward to hosting its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala in aid of Healing the Wounded Child.
Furthermore, the historical insights shared will inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The etiquette academy, under the patronage of the House, continues its work in promoting cultural understanding and the timeless values of decorum and civic responsibility. These endeavours ensure the legacy of the Barony remains not just a subject of historical record, but a living force for good.
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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 the stewardship of a significant English heritage. The House's modern mission is centred on the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applied through active philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and educational initiatives. Its primary charitable focus is supporting children recovering from trauma through the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation. Through ventures such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to build bridges between British heritage and contemporary European society, promoting timeless values of service, integrity, and social grace for a new generation.
**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 existence is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony passed through several of England’s most prominent noble and royal families, including de la Haye, Longespee, and Plantagenet. Notable holders include the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, the great crusader Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After merging with the Crown in 1399, the barony's dignity was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic efforts support the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com