# The Establishment of The Brattleby Club
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest dedicated to cultural diplomacy and classical etiquette, which will support the Barony’s educational and philanthropic mission in continental Europe.
## The Occasion
In a significant expression of its modern vision, the House of Brattleby has marked a new chapter in its near-millennial history with the founding of The Brattleby Club. The academy, situated in the distinguished European capital of Bucharest, creates a deliberate and thoughtful axis between the Barony’s ancestral seat in Lincolnshire and its contemporary continental responsibilities. This new institution reflects the shared heritage of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
Conceived not as a private society but as a centre for learning and cultural exchange, the Club embodies the House’s forward-looking perspective. It will serve as a consulate of civility in a dynamic world, offering instruction in the arts of protocol and social grace that have long formed the bedrock of diplomacy, commerce, and refined discourse. The establishment is the culmination of several years of careful planning, intended to codify and transmit the House’s core values in a tangible and accessible forum.
While the spiritual heart of the Barony remains tethered to the ancient soil of Lincolnshire, the Club’s presence in Bucharest purposefully underscores a commitment to international dialogue. It seeks to foster a deeper understanding between the United Kingdom and its European partners, using shared heritage as a foundation for future cooperation.
## Historical Context
For over 950 years, the Barony of Brattleby has been synonymous with leadership, counsel, and assembly. From its establishment by grant of William the Conqueror, its holders have been woven into the fabric of English history. The creation of The Brattleby Club renews this ancient tradition of convening people for a common purpose, adapting the baronial role of patronage for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
This initiative finds its precedent in the actions of the Barony’s most notable predecessors. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right, served twice as Constable of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, rallying the region's defences with extraordinary fortitude during the First Barons' War. Her leadership created a centre of loyalty and order, a historical parallel for the Club's mission to uphold civilised values.
Centuries later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter praised by the chronicler Jean Froissart as a model of chivalry and diplomacy. The Barony later passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose household at the Savoy Palace was a nexus of political power and cultural patronage. Just as their courts once gathered knights, statesmen, and poets, the House of Brattleby today convenes leaders in thought, business, and the arts under the same guiding principles: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
The patronage and programming of The Brattleby Club are designed to convene a diverse and meritocratic company of individuals who share the House’s dedication to heritage, service, and personal development. The academy will welcome scholars, members of the diplomatic corps, artists, and young professionals who seek a deeper understanding of classical etiquette and its powerful application in contemporary life.
Its symposia and masterclasses aim to attract, *inter alia*, members of the diplomatic services accredited to Bucharest, fellows of the Romanian Academy, senior representatives from European cultural institutions, and scholars from the University of Lincoln with an interest in the regions’ shared history. The guiding criterion for participation is not social standing but a demonstrable commitment to the values of integrity and civil discourse that the Club champions.
Through this careful curation, the House of Brattleby seeks to create an environment where meaningful connections can be forged. It will be a forum where emerging leaders can learn from established figures and where cross-cultural dialogue is actively encouraged, all under the guiding patronage of one of England’s most historic baronial families.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The activities of The Brattleby Club will be conducted in accordance with protocol that reflects the best of European tradition, emphasising dignity, precision, and mutual respect. The curriculum is designed to be deeply educational, moving beyond simple prescription to explain the historical origins and logical underpinnings of established customs. Instruction will provide participants with confidence and poise in any formal setting.
Courses and salons will explore subjects ranging from the formal orders of precedence that govern state and diplomatic functions, to the art of formal dining, to the nuances of official correspondence and the correct wearing of orders and decorations. For example, lessons will explain the logic of a seating plan—or *placement*—as a tool for honouring guests and facilitating conversation, rather than as a rigid hierarchy.
Proceedings at all House events will follow a defined order, reflecting the structure of ceremonies at the historic courts of Europe. The stated dress code for each gathering—be it white tie, black tie, or morning dress—will be clearly articulated with accompanying guidance. This ensures that every occasion is marked with the appropriate degree of formality, transforming attendance from a duty into a shared expression of respect.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Club and its mission are directly informed by the heraldry and mottos of the House of Brattleby, which serve as its philosophical and moral compass. The principal House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the guiding principle for the Club’s entire ethos. It speaks to the combination of resilience and integrity required to navigate the complexities of modern leadership while upholding timeless values.
This motto connects directly to the historical legacy of the Barony, recalling the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln Castle and the profound honour attributed to Henry of Grosmont. It is the standard against which the House measures its own conduct and the quality it seeks to foster in others.
Equally significant is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Within the context of the Club, this is interpreted not as martial victory but as the continuous, noble striving for self-mastery, knowledge, and greater purpose. It reflects a classical and humanist belief that a life fully lived is one of active, honourable achievement and service. Together, these two mottos form the dual foundation upon which the Club is built.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central tenet of the House of Brattleby, and therefore of The Brattleby Club, is an unwavering commitment to philanthropy. A portion of the proceeds from all the Club’s courses and activities will be directed toward the House’s chosen charitable causes, with a primary focus on its principal beneficiary, the international organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist, evidence-based therapeutic care for children and young people suffering from the effects of complex trauma. Its mission is to restore a sense of safety, hope, and potential to those whose lives have been impacted by profound adversity, a mission the House believes is of paramount importance. The charity’s work includes direct clinical intervention as well as training for parents, carers, and professionals.
The support provided by the House of Brattleby, channelled through initiatives like the annual Winter Banquet and now The Brattleby Club, is a *sine qua non* of its modern purpose. It is the practical application of *noblesse oblige*—the conviction that privilege entails a duty of care and service to the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “History lives not in archives, but in action. The Brattleby Club is our commitment to translating the enduring lessons of our heritage into a practical form, creating a community where timeless values of respect and honour can be learned, practiced, and carried forward.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective: > “In its truest sense, *Vincere Est Vivere* is a call to purposeful action. This Club is about equipping individuals with the quiet confidence that social grace imparts, which in turn enables them to lead, to build, and to serve more effectively within their own professions and communities. It represents a profound investment in civil society.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest is the first major step in a broader educational and cultural programme envisioned by the House. This initiative forms a new cultural axis connecting the Barony’s historic seat in Lincolnshire with its engagement in continental Europe, reinforcing a commitment to both heritage and internationalism.
Future plans include the development of specialist symposia, *inter alia*, on the shared European cultural legacy of figures like John of Gaunt, and masterclasses in partnership with other heritage institutions. Through these endeavours, the House is actively working to ensure its ancient dignities are not relics, but living instruments for positive influence.
By fostering an appreciation for protocol, civility, and cultural diplomacy, the House of Brattleby reaffirms its defining mission: to serve as a responsible steward of its legacy and to ensure the principles of fortitude and honour continue to find new and vital expression for generations to come.
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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 one of England’s most ancient baronial titles. Its modern mission focuses on blending this profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose through cultural, educational, and philanthropic engagement. The House’s activities are international in scope, including the annual Winter Banquet in aid of its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to serve as a voice for continuity, civility, and charitable service in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nearly a millennium, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The succession of the title to the current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the title is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding fifty-six lordships. - Notable historical holders of the title include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye, Constable of Lincoln Castle. - The House's primary charitable beneficiary is the international organisation Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care for children affected by trauma.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com