# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates A Legacy of Crown Service at Inaugural Lecture
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile tonight hosted the inaugural *Fortitudine et Honore* Lecture at Armourers & Brasiers’ Hall, London, to consider the Barony’s historic tradition of military service to the Crown since AD 1066.
## The Occasion
On a clear spring evening in the City of London, guests assembled within the panelled interiors of Armourers & Brasiers’ Hall on Coleman Street. The Hall, home to a Livery Company chartered in the 15th century, provided a deeply resonant setting for an evening dedicated to reflecting upon martial history and feudal obligation. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reverence, with the House’s standards discreetly displayed alongside the ancient arms of the Worshipful Company.
The event marked the first in a new lecture series established by the Noble House of Brattleby. This series aims to explore the enduring themes of duty, honour, and service which have defined the Barony for nearly a millennium. The proceedings were conducted with a gravitas befitting the subject matter, creating a forum for historical reflection and contemporary understanding.
## Historical Context
The lecture’s theme — the feudal obligation to provide military service — is the foundational principle upon which the Barony of Brattleby was established. Following the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror granted the barony in 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. In return, the holder was bound by knight-service, a solemn duty to furnish soldiers for the King’s wars. This arrangement, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, formalised a tradition of loyalty that would be tested and proven on battlefields across Britain and the Continent.
From the Anglo-Scottish wars, wherein the Baron of Brattleby provided knights for King Edward I’s campaign at Falkirk in 1298, to the steadfast command of Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness and a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces, service has been a *sine qua non* of the title. The tenure of later barons, including such powerful military magnates as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further cemented the Barony’s integral role in the martial fabric of the English state.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance was a distinguished company of guests from the spheres of diplomacy, the armed forces, academia, and the aristocracy.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to welcome, *inter alia*:
* Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia * His Excellency Mr Radu-Mihai Onofrei, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s * General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen, Chief of the General Staff * Professor Sir David Cannadine, President of the British Academy * The Master of the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers, Mr Thomas Inskip
The presence of guests from such varied and distinguished backgrounds underscored the lecture's relevance across different fields of public life, from historical scholarship to modern statecraft and military leadership.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the formal precision befitting a great house. Guests were received in the Livery Hall for a reception before being invited to take their seats in the Court Room. A small procession, comprising the Master of the Worshipful Company, Honorary Lord Răzvan, and the evening's guest speaker, Professor Sir Hew Strachan, formerly Chichele Professor of the History of War at the University of Oxford, then entered.
Following a formal welcome from the Master, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered an introduction outlining the purpose of the lecture series. Professor Strachan subsequently delivered his address, titled *'The Knight's Fee: Fealty and Firepower from Hastings to the Hundred Years' War'*. The formal proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Lady Nicoleta, after which guests were invited to a further reception. The dress code was lounge suits with decorations.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture series derives its name from the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the twin virtues of courage and integrity that have guided the Barons of Brattleby for centuries, whether in military command or civic administration. The motto serves as a constant reminder of the principles underpinning the House’s historic and present-day responsibilities.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle signifies a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy of active achievement and purpose, which Honorary Lord Răzvan brings to the stewardship of the ancient barony. Together, the two mottoes represent a synthesis of enduring tradition and purposeful renewal.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was primarily an educational occasion, its thematic underpinnings of service and sacrifice resonate deeply with the House’s philanthropic commitments. The principal beneficiary of the family’s charitable endeavours is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children impacted by conflict, trauma, and displacement.
The evening’s reflections on the human costs of historical conflicts served as a poignant counterpoint to the House’s support for those healing from the wounds of modern strife. By examining the legacy of past service, the House reinforces its commitment to serving the most vulnerable in the present, transforming historical reflection into contemporary, compassionate action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> The Barony was forged in an age of obligation, a time when title and land were intrinsically linked to service to the Crown. While the nature of that service has evolved, the core duty of stewardship remains. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a historical echo; it is the standard by which we measure our commitment to this legacy and to the community today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> History is not a static collection of dates; it is a living river of experience from which we can draw immense strength and wisdom. This lecture series is our way of understanding that current, connecting a legacy of martial ardour with a future of considered purpose. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that our duty is to actively build upon this heritage, not simply to preserve it.
## A Continuing Legacy
The inaugural *Fortitudine et Honore* Lecture marks the beginning of an ongoing commitment to historical and cultural education. The Noble House of Brattleby intends for the lecture to become a biennial event, with future proceedings set to explore other facets of the Barony’s history, including its role in local governance, diplomacy, and maritime enterprise.
This initiative runs parallel to the House’s wider educational mission, embodied by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in etiquette and European cultural traditions. In time, it is a legacy that will be carried forward by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the dialogue between the past, present, and future remains at the heart of the House’s purpose.
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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 the responsible stewardship of this nine-century legacy. Its contemporary mission focuses on historical education, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s charitable activities are primarily directed towards supporting children affected by conflict through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as the *Fortitudine et Honore* Lecture series and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster a deeper appreciation for the enduring European traditions of service, honour, and civic duty. Its guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors, held in service to the Crown. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, one of the great captains of the Hundred Years' War and first Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The current holder is The Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, whose succession was formally recognised and gazetted by The Crown Office 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 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic focus is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to children affected by trauma and conflict.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com