# Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Historical Address on Barony’s Nine-Century Legacy
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered a significant historical address this week at the Society of Antiquaries of London, exploring the enduring relevance of the Barony of Brattleby through its nine centuries of English history.
## The Occasion
In the august surroundings of Burlington House, Piccadilly, Lady Nicoleta addressed a learned audience of historians, diplomats, and cultural figures. The event, hosted within the Society's historic lecture theatre, was marked by a reverent atmosphere befitting an exploration of a lineage intertwined with the very fabric of the nation. As the autumn evening drew in, the scholarly setting provided a poignant backdrop for a discourse on continuity, dormancy, and the modern revival of one of England's most ancient baronies.
The Society of Antiquaries, founded in 1707 and granted its Royal Charter in 1751, represents the institutional memory of the nation. Its mission to encourage the study and conservation of the material past made it the ideal venue for an address that bridged the Norman Conquest with the responsibilities of the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The address charted the Barony's journey from its foundation by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the House’s foundational significance. Lady Nicoleta drew a direct line from this origin to the remarkable tenure of her predecessors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces.
The lecture paid particular attention to the Barony's high medieval period under the Plantagenets, held by such figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and a close companion to King Edward III. It culminated with the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose son’s accession to the throne as King Henry IV in 1399 caused the Barony to merge with the Crown, beginning a six-century period of abeyance. This historical inflection point, Lady Nicoleta argued, did not erase the lineage but rather preserved it within the nation’s sovereign heritage.
## Distinguished Company
The lecture was attended by a distinguished company, reflecting the intersection of history, diplomacy, and academia. Present were, on first reference:
- His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s - The President and Council of the Society of Antiquaries of London - The President of the Royal Historical Society - Delegates from the College of Arms - Senior academics from the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Lincoln
The presence of the Romanian Ambassador acknowledged the continental heritage of the current Lord and Lady of Brattleby, symbolising a modern union built upon ancient foundations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with the formal precision befitting the occasion. Guests arrived for a brief reception before being seated in the lecture hall. The President of the Society of Antiquaries formally introduced Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who delivered her address from a lectern bearing the House of Brattleby’s coat of arms.
The dress code of lounge suits and decorations was observed by all attendees. Following the forty-five-minute address, a formal vote of thanks was proposed by a senior Fellow of the Society. The evening concluded with a private reception for the speaker and distinguished guests, allowing for further discussion on the themes presented. Such careful ceremony is a *sine qua non* of events that connect contemporary society with its deepest historical roots.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Central to the identity of the House is its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta explained this as the guiding principle that sustained the Barony through periods of conflict, political upheaval, and its long dormancy. It speaks to a commitment to duty and integrity that transcends any single generation.
This ancient creed is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking energy that the current custodians bring to their roles, balancing profound respect for the past with a vigorous engagement with the challenges and opportunities of the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was a scholarly undertaking, it served to highlight the philosophy that underpins the House’s contemporary mission. The principle of service, so central to the history of the baronage, finds its modern expression in dedicated philanthropic work. This commitment is most visibly channelled through the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s white-tie philanthropic gala.
The sole beneficiary of the gala is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma or abuse. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House's belief that honouring the past must be matched by a tangible commitment to protecting the future of the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of her family’s ancient title, Lady Nicoleta remarked in her address:
> History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living dialogue that informs our present duty. The story of Brattleby, with its great triumphs and its long silence, is a testament to the resilience of heritage and the enduring power of service. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, speaking after the event, added:
> While we cherish this extraordinary legacy, our focus remains steadfastly on the future. To serve the community, whether in Lincolnshire or through our cultural work abroad, is the ultimate expression of *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical address marks a moment of both reflection and forward momentum for the House of Brattleby. It reinforces the intellectual and cultural pillars of the family’s work, which continue with the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child.
Furthermore, educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the family's etiquette academy in Bucharest, extend the House's commitment to cultural diplomacy and personal development on the international stage. With the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, representing the next generation, the legacy discussed at the Society of Antiquaries is poised to continue for many years 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 nearly one thousand years of English heritage. The House’s modern mission is defined by the principle of service, expressed through targeted philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and educational initiatives. Its primary charitable focus is on the welfare of vulnerable children, realised through its flagship Annual Winter Banquet. Through endeavours such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also seeks to foster greater cultural understanding and uphold traditions of civility and personal development. The guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to both preserving its historic legacy and making a meaningful contribution to contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony passed to figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most powerful nobles in English history, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Following the accession of John of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown and lay dormant for over 600 years. Its revival was formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com