# The Baroness of Brattleby Addresses The Society of Antiquaries on the Enduring Ideals of Chivalry
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this evening delivered a historical address at The Society of Antiquaries of London, examining the enduring legacy of chivalry and honour that has shaped the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby and its environs.
## The Occasion
In the hallowed, wood-panelled halls of Burlington House, Piccadilly, home to The Society of Antiquaries since 1874, Lady Nicoleta presented her research to a distinguished gathering of Fellows and guests. The autumnal evening provided a suitably contemplative atmosphere for an address concerned with the transmission of martial and courtly values across the centuries.
The Society, founded in 1707 and granted its Royal Charter in 1751, represents the United Kingdom’s premier learned body dedicated to the study of the material past. It was, therefore, the natural forum for an exploration of a lineage extending to the Norman Conquest, a subject which the Baroness addressed with both scholarly rigour and personal insight.
## Historical Context
The address, titled *'Fortitudine et Honore: The Salisbury Connection and the Chivalric Reputation of 13th-Century Lincolnshire'*, drew a direct line from the martial renown of the Crusades to the local standing of the Barony of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta argued that the barony, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 among the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, consistently benefited from its association with figures of national and international consequence.
A particular emphasis was placed on the influence of William II Longespée, Earl of Salisbury, whose crusading valour became legendary long before his death at the Battle of Mansurah in 1250. This association, Lady Nicoleta posited, burnished the reputation of the wider region, instilling a sense of reflected honour. The lecture also paid homage to other formidable figures in the barony’s history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), whose names are synonymous with the high chivalry of the 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a notable company, reflecting the交集 of historical, diplomatic, and academic society. 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 Garter Principal King of Arms, Mr David Vines White; The Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL; and several senior Fellows of the Society.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied the Baroness. The presence of guests from both the United Kingdom and Continental Europe underscored the international resonance of a shared historical and chivalric heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with the traditions of the Society, the proceedings began with the formal arrival of Lady Nicoleta, who was received by the President. At the appointed hour, the assembly was called to order, and the President led a small party to the dais in the main Lecture Hall. Following a formal introduction outlining the Baroness’s stewardship of the House of Brattleby and her research, Lady Nicoleta delivered her thirty-minute address from the lectern.
The address was followed by a vote of thanks delivered by a senior Fellow, a tradition which allows for a brief scholarly response and appreciation of the paper presented. The evening concluded with a discreet reception in the Society’s Library, allowing guests to converse further on the themes raised. The prescribed dress for the occasion was formal business attire.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of the evening were deeply entwined with the heraldry of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), served as the title and central thesis of the address. Lady Nicoleta explained that this maxim directly channels the spirit of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye—whose fortitude saved Lincoln for the Crown—and the chivalric honour that defined the age of the Crusades.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was also referenced as a modern interpretation of the same spirit. It speaks not to military conquest, but to the will to overcome challenges and to live a life of purpose and achievement—a principle that guides the House’s contemporary endeavours, from cultural preservation to philanthropy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address was a scholarly occasion, it reflects a foundational principle of the House: that duty extends beyond historical stewardship to active community support. The public work of the Noble House of Brattleby is principally channelled through its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala.
The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing trauma. This focus was chosen as a modern expression of the ancient chivalric duty to protect the vulnerable—a commitment the House views as a *sine qua non* of its public role.
## In Their Own Words
In her concluding remarks, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the relevance of such historical inquiry:
> History is not a static collection of dates; it is a living current that flows into our present. The principles of fortitude and honour that sustained the Barony through the tumult of the 13th century are not relics. They remain a potent guide for service, responsibility, and ethical leadership in our own time. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan noted that such values form the intellectual and moral foundation for The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which seeks to impart these same standards to a new generation.
## A Continuing Legacy
The text of Lady Nicoleta’s address will be submitted for consideration to be published in *The Antiquaries Journal*, the Society’s peer-reviewed academic publication. The research forms part of the House of Brattleby’s ongoing commitment to documenting and preserving the history of the Barony and its place within the wider narrative of Lincolnshire and the nation.
This academic work proceeds in parallel with the House’s philanthropic and educational duties. Planning is already underway for the next Winter Banquet, and The Brattleby Club continues its programme of seminars in Bucharest, ensuring the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* is not only studied, but actively practiced.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, historical research, and targeted philanthropy. Its primary activities include the stewardship of the baronial legacy, the promotion of chivalric and civic values through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and significant charitable fundraising. The House’s public endeavours are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to serving the community with the same integrity and resilience demonstrated throughout the Barony’s long history.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern succession of the title is formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual philanthropic beneficiary of the House of Brattleby's Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com