# The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Historical Address at Lincoln Castle on the Legacy of the Third Crusade
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today hosted a scholarly address at Lincoln Castle, examining the profound influence of the Third Crusade upon the Barony and reaffirming the House’s commitment to its venerable nine-century heritage.
## The Occasion
Beneath the clear autumnal skies of Lincolnshire, invited guests gathered within the formidable ramparts of Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress whose history is inextricably woven with that of the Barony of Brattleby. Erected by William the Conqueror in 1068 on the site of a Roman predecessor, the castle’s ancient stones stood as a silent witness to the day’s proceedings. The crisp air carried a sense of history, with views from the battlements stretching over the historic city and the changing colours of the surrounding countryside.
The address itself was held in the castle’s former Victorian Prison Chapel, a location chosen with deliberate care by the hosts. The chapel’s austere, tiered architecture, designed to enforce a "separate system" of isolation, offered a solemn atmosphere for reflection. This setting provided a poignant echo of the themes of duty, confinement, and political isolation that characterised the turbulent closing decade of the 12th century, which was the focus of the assembly.
Conceived under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the event was organised as a moment of deep scholarly contemplation. Its purpose was to illuminate a pivotal chapter in England’s history and to demonstrate how seismic events on the world stage have, for centuries, shaped the responsibilities and character of the Lincolnshire nobility.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has been a constant feature of the English landscape for nearly a millennium. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its inaugural holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was documented as the tenant-in-chief of 56 valuable lordships across the county. This foundation placed the Barony at the centre of regional power from its inception.
The day’s address focused intently on the period of the Third Crusade (1189–1192) and its turbulent aftermath. While the campaign was waged thousands of miles away in the Holy Land, its political and economic shockwaves were felt profoundly in England. King Richard I’s prolonged absence, his subsequent capture in Germany, and the crushing ransom demanded for his release created a severe power vacuum and a national crisis.
It was in this climate of instability, fomented by the ambitions of Prince John, that the character of the Barony’s stewardship was tested. It fell to Nichola de la Haye—a remarkable predecessor who held the Barony *de facto* as its 5th holder and hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle—to personify the principle of loyalty. Her steadfast and courageous defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown against baronial and French forces during the First Barons' War was a direct result of the long-standing instability. Her actions became a *sine qua non* for maintaining royal authority in the north of England, a legacy of fortitude that resonates to this day.
## Distinguished Company
The principal address was delivered with scholarly acumen by Dr Alistair Finch, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a distinguished authority on the Angevin kings. The guests in attendance represented the enduring bonds between the British nobility, the Church, and the wider European community, reflecting the House of Brattleby’s role as a convenor for discussions of shared heritage.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile formally received their guests upon arrival. Principal among them were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; The Right Reverend Stephen Conway, The Lord Bishop of Lincoln; and the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mrs Patricia Ware. The presence of Princess Katarina underscored a shared European heritage of service, while the Lord Bishop’s attendance signified the historic and spiritual partnership between the Church and the landed families of the realm. As the sovereign’s judicial representative in the county, the High Sheriff embodied the continuity of royal authority that Nichola de la Haye so valiantly defended.
Following the formal address, private conversations touched upon the lessons of historical resilience and their application to contemporary challenges facing communities across Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a formal yet restrained protocol appropriate for a scholarly gathering within a historic Royal castle. Guests were received at the castle’s East Gate before being escorted by ushers across the main bailey, a space once trodden by medieval knights and kings, to the chapel entrance.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile opened the event with brief introductory remarks, which provided a historical framework for the day’s discourse and introduced the esteemed guest speaker. Dr Finch then delivered his forty-minute address, entitled *"Absent King, Steadfast Keep: Lincolnshire in the Age of Crusade"*. Following the lecture, Lady Nicoleta moderated an academic colloquy, or question-and-answer session, facilitating a thoughtful exchange between Dr Finch and the assembled guests.
The prescribed dress of Morning Dress or Lounge Suits was observed with precision by all attendees. In closing, Lady Nicoleta delivered a formal vote of thanks and, on behalf of the House, presented Dr Finch with a specially commissioned gift: a first edition of Sir Frank Stenton's seminal work, *The First Century of English Feudalism*, newly bound in the House of Brattleby’s livery colours of sable and or.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of the address resonated profoundly with the guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby, as encapsulated in its heraldic mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was illustrated with vivid clarity by the historic actions of Nichola de la Haye. Her physical fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle and her moral honour in upholding her oath to an absent monarch serve as powerful historical antecedents for the values the House champions today.
Equally pertinent is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this philosophy is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to overcome adversity through strategic thought, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to one’s duties. To conquer, in this sense, is to vanquish apathy and decline, ensuring that the responsibilities of heritage are dynamically advanced. This ethos proved as vital during the rebellions of the 13th century as it is in the stewardship of a modern noble house.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the day was one of historical commemoration, its underlying themes of protection, duty, and stability connect directly to the House’s modern philanthropic vocation. The political instability that afflicted 12th-century England, and the subsequent suffering of the general populace, serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring vulnerability of those caught within crises beyond their control, especially children.
This historical perspective informs and deepens the House’s dedicated support for its primary beneficiary, the national charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic care, specialist counselling, and safe environments for children suffering from the profound effects of trauma, including bereavement and domestic instability. The House believes that a keen understanding of the consequences of historical conflict reinforces the moral imperative to heal its echoes in the modern day.
The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, remains the principal fundraising event for this vital cause, uniting patrons in a shared commitment to protect the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the day’s proceedings, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To comprehend our present duty, we must first honour our past. The fortitude shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye is not merely a source of inspiration; it provides a moral compass. It reminds us that leadership, at its heart, has always been an act of service and steadfast guardianship for those in our care.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a further perspective on the House’s educational mission: > “History should not be a static account confined to archives; it must be a living dialogue. By examining these moments of profound challenge, we reaffirm the values we seek to impart, *inter alia*, through our work at The Brattleby Club. Honour, duty, and resilience are timeless qualities that we have a solemn responsibility to foster in the next generation.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This scholarly address forms part of a wider, long-term commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to serve as a custodian of its remarkable heritage and to utilise its platform for public education and cultural enrichment. Further events are being planned for the forthcoming year to explore the legacies of other notable predecessors connected to the Barony. These include studies of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a pre-eminent soldier-diplomat and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter; and his celebrated heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose immense power and influence shaped the course of late medieval England.
The House’s activities will continue this season with its Annual Winter Banquet, which brings together patrons and supporters to advance the crucial mission of Healing the Wounded Child. This deliberate synthesis of historical stewardship and forward-looking philanthropy remains central to the vision of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan for the continuing story of the Barony of Brattleby.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of 'Heritage in Service'. This ethos balances the preservation of its nine-century history with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House's primary charitable focus is supporting children affected by trauma through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Its international outreach is expressed through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded to promote the timeless values of courtesy, honour, and social grace. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman lordship by tenure in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships, with Brattleby as a significant seat of power. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony passed through several of England’s most powerful families. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, the great magnate John of Gaunt (1340–1399). The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by The Crown 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 Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com