# A Baronial Legacy: Lady Nicoleta on the Politics of Fourteenth-Century Lincolnshire
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address at The Society of Antiquaries of London, examining the Barony’s antecedents during the turbulent reign of King Edward II and the consequential rise of the Despenser family.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered in the historic Apartments of Burlington House, Piccadilly, a venerable centre of British scholarship since 1874. Before an assembly of distinguished historians, fellows of the society, and diplomatic guests, Lady Nicoleta presented her research as part of the Society’s autumn lecture series, which focuses on the lesser-known dynamics of the English peerage.
The atmosphere within the Society's meeting room, lined with portraits of eminent antiquaries, was one of quiet erudition. The afternoon light lent a particular gravity to the proceedings as the Baroness explored the intricate web of alliances and antagonisms that defined the fourteenth century and directly impacted the lineage of her own title.
## Historical Context
Lady Nicoleta’s research centred on the period of intense friction between the established nobility and the Crown's favourites, Hugh Despenser the Elder and his son. The accumulation of immense wealth and power by the Despensers, often through royal favour and political manipulation, created a climate of profound instability across the realm.
The address drew a direct line from this national crisis to the holders of the Brattleby lordship. Families connected to the title, notably through the marriage of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, found themselves in opposition to the Despensers. Lady Nicoleta highlighted the plight of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, whose vast inheritance made her a target and whose life illustrates the era’s perils. The Baroness noted that such historical precedents—of steadfastness in the face of turmoil—inform the House's guiding principles to this day. This legacy of resilience was later embodied by John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a figure *sine qua non* in the history of the English monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance for the address were, *inter alia*:
His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's; The Right Honourable The Lord Chartres GCVO; Professor Dame Mary Beard, DBE, FBA, FSA, Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge; Sir David Cannadine, FBA, FSA, FRHistS, President of the British Academy; and representatives from The Royal Historical Society.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied the Baroness.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to the formal traditions of The Society of Antiquaries. The President of the Society offered an official welcome before formally introducing Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and inviting her to the lectern.
Following the hour-long address, the Baroness took questions from the assembled fellows, a customary part of the Society’s scholarly discourse. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks, proposed by the Director of the Society, acknowledging the contribution to the historical understanding of the period and its connection to a living barony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
During her address, Lady Nicoleta made reference to the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). She proposed that this principle aptly describes the conduct required of nobles like Henry of Grosmont during a period when loyalty to the realm was tested by the overreach of royal favourites. It was fortitude, she argued, that enabled these figures to navigate the political dangers and preserve their honour and their lands.
The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was also noted as a modern reflection of the same spirit—one of overcoming challenges not through conflict, but through active and purposeful engagement with the world.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the subject after the lecture, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > “History is not a static account of the past; it is a living narrative that offers lessons in resilience, integrity, and the human cost of ambition. Understanding the challenges faced by figures like Alice de Lacy enriches our perspective on the responsibilities that accompany any title.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > “The legacy of Brattleby is one of endurance. Whether defending Lincoln Castle in the thirteenth century or navigating the political complexities of the fourteenth, the story is one of service and perseverance. It is a heritage we are deeply committed to honouring through our contemporary work.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The research presented by Lady Nicoleta in her address is expected to be published in a forthcoming volume of *The Antiquaries Journal*. This marks a further step in the House's commitment to scholarship and the preservation of its nearly millennium-long history.
The Noble House of Brattleby will also continue its work through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, its etiquette academy dedicated to cultural education, ensuring that the lessons of history inform the conduct of a new generation of leaders. Future historical lectures are planned for the coming year.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to upholding its ancient duties of service and honour. With a unique Anglo-Romanian character, the House focuses its philanthropic and cultural efforts on education, historical preservation, and child welfare. Its primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, which provides support to vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House promotes cultural diplomacy and personal development, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House is based at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant lordships in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the barony was formally recognised and assigned to its present holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book (1086) falls under the lands of its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors holding the title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com