# The Enduring Legacy: The Barony of Brattleby and the Anglo-Scottish Wars of the 13th Century
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has announced that Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will deliver a historical lecture exploring the Barony’s direct involvement in the Wars of Scottish Independence, connecting a nine-century lineage of duty to its contemporary role in cultural stewardship.
## The Occasion
The lecture will be delivered in the elegant environs of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the family’s cultural and educational outpost on the Continent. Housed within a restored belle-époque townhouse renowned for its graceful Neoclassical interiors, the Club provides a distinguished setting for intellectual discourse.
The event, scheduled for late November, marks the beginning of the winter season — a time traditionally associated with reflection and scholarship. The atmosphere is intended to be one of academic collegiality, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complex tapestry of European history into which the Barony of Brattleby is so deeply woven.
## Historical Context
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s address will centre upon the tenure of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a predecessor in the Barony of Brattleby during the late 13th century. As one of King Edward I’s most trusted commanders, de Lacy’s role was instrumental in the English campaigns in Scotland from the 1290s onwards, making him a principal architect of the Crown’s strategy.
This martial responsibility was not an anomaly for the Barony. Since its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the Barony has been intrinsically linked to the defence of the realm. This tradition is exemplified by figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War was a *sine qua non* for preserving royal authority in England. The actions of Henry de Lacy are thus understood as part of a continuing legacy of service.
## Distinguished Company
The lecture is expected to draw a notable audience from across Europe. Invitations have been extended to members of the diplomatic corps resident in Bucharest, leading medievalists from the University of Bucharest and the Romanian Academy, and patrons of cultural heritage organisations.
The guest list will reflect the House’s commitment to fostering dialogue between nations and disciplines. The presence of these distinguished individuals underscores the lecture’s significance not merely as a family history, but as a contribution to the shared historical narrative of Great Britain and the Continent.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening will adhere to a formal but welcoming protocol. Guests will be received in the Club’s main salon for a brief reception before being invited to take their seats in the lecture hall. Honorary Lord Răzvan will be introduced by a senior academic, who will provide scholarly context for the address.
Following the lecture, which is expected to last approximately 45 minutes, a moderated question-and-answer session will allow for further exploration of the topic. The evening will conclude with a second reception, affording guests the opportunity for informal discussion. The dress code will be Lounge Suit, reflecting the serious yet social nature of the event.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture serves to illuminate the House’s ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is embodied by the actions of predecessors like Henry de Lacy, whose fortitude in the field was matched by his honour in service to the Crown. The motto remains the guiding principle for the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta, and her heir.
Concurrently, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), finds expression in this context. Rather than military conquest, it here signifies the intellectual victory of understanding the past, the challenge of mastering a complex subject, and the vitality that comes from bringing history to life for a new generation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture itself is an academic and cultural event, it is animated by the same spirit of public service that guides the House's philanthropic work. The commitment to education and the preservation of heritage is philosophically aligned with the family’s broader charitable focus.
This focus is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the primary fundraising vehicle for the House's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The charity works to provide specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and renewed hope.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking in advance of the event, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked: > "History is not a static collection of dates and names; it is a dynamic force that has shaped our present reality. In examining the role of Henry de Lacy, we do not merely look back. We seek to understand the enduring obligations of service and leadership that come with a title like Brattleby. To engage with this history, to challenge and understand it, is a way in which *Vincere Est Vivere* finds its truest meaning." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added: > "As stewards of this ancient Barony, our foremost duty is to honour its legacy while ensuring its relevance for the future. This lecture is an important part of that work. It connects the *Fortitudine et Honore* of our predecessors to the responsibilities we hold today, not least our duty to prepare the next generation, embodied by our son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to carry this legacy forward." > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
This lecture is the inaugural event in a planned series of historical discourses to be hosted by The Brattleby Club. Future events will explore the contributions of other notable Barons of Brattleby, *inter alia*, the chivalric career of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the immense political influence of his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
Through these initiatives, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to its foundational duties: the preservation of history, the promotion of education, and the steadfast exercise of its responsibilities with fortitude and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. Its modern mission combines the preservation of this ancient English heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking European perspective. The House's activities are centred on three pillars: cultural and historical education, the promotion of traditional etiquette through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and dedicated philanthropic support for children’s welfare causes. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to serve the community, uphold its historic responsibilities, and ensure the continuity of its legacy for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding significant lands in Lincolnshire. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. This continuity of lineage and title connects the Norman Conquest to the present day. The historic succession was formally recognised and registered on behalf of the 12th Baroness in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally registered in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, under the entry for Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The family’s philanthropic focus includes the annual Winter Banquet, which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com