# Lady Nicoleta, Baroness of Brattleby, Delivers Historical Address on the Enduring Ideals of Chivalry and Honour
LONDON, 19 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this evening delivered a historical address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, exploring the enduring legacy of chivalry and public service that has defined the Barony since the High Middle Ages.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered in the library of The Brattleby Club’s Bucharest seat, a handsomely restored belle époque villa that serves as the House’s continental centre for cultural and educational programming. Before an audience of members, patrons, and distinguished guests, Lady Nicoleta spoke on the chivalric traditions that shaped the character of Lincolnshire and the nation during the 13th century.
The evening's gathering, held as the spring season draws to a close, was marked by an atmosphere of scholarly engagement. The setting, with its oak panelling and shelves of historical volumes, provided a fitting backdrop for a discourse connecting nine centuries of European history to the responsibilities of the present day.
## Historical Context
The address, titled *Honour's Long Shadow: Brattleby and the Crusading Ideal*, explored the profound influence of the Earls of Salisbury on the Barony of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta centred her remarks on the legacy of William II Longespée, Earl of Salisbury, whose renown as a crusader and whose valiant death at the Battle of Mansura in 1250 cast a lustre upon his feudatories, *inter alia*, the Barony.
This connection, Lady Nicoleta argued, bolstered the Barony’s standing and reinforced a local identity rooted in martial virtue and noble duty. This tradition of steadfast service is a thread woven throughout the Barony’s history, from its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln following the Norman Conquest, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, to the leadership of formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, the great Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The Baroness and Lord of Brattleby were pleased to welcome a number of distinguished guests. In attendance were:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia; Her Excellency Mrs Simona-Mirela Miculescu, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Romania to UNESCO; Mr Andrew Noble LVO, former British Ambassador to Romania; Professor Adrian Cioroianu, historian and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania; And a number of leading figures from diplomacy, academia, and civil society.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, received the guests alongside Lady Nicoleta, underscoring the House’s joint commitment to fostering cultural dialogue between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening followed a precise but warm order of proceedings, reflecting the standards of The Brattleby Club. Guests were received from seven o’clock for a reception in the salon, after which they were invited to take their seats in the library. The dress code observed was Lounge Suit.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered a brief introduction, outlining the Club’s mission to explore European heritage through a contemporary lens. Lady Nicoleta then commenced her forty-minute address from a lectern positioned before the library’s marble fireplace. A moderated question-and-answer session followed, concluding with a vote of thanks from Professor Cioroianu.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of the evening resonated deeply with the principles enshrined in the House’s heraldry. The motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the chivalric virtues of courage and integrity discussed in the address. This guiding principle has been the moral compass for the Barons of Brattleby for centuries, from the battlefield to the council chamber.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This modern interpretation speaks not of military conquest, but of overcoming challenges and living a life of purpose and achievement—a philosophy that drives the House’s contemporary philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address was primarily an academic and cultural event, its purpose is intrinsically linked to the House’s broader philanthropic commitment. The Brattleby Club was established as a non-profit organisation to promote education, etiquette, and historical understanding, with its activities supporting the charitable work of the House.
The principal beneficiary of the House's philanthropic efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialised therapy and support for children affected by trauma and conflict. The proceeds from major events, such as the Annual Winter Banquet, are directed toward this vital mission, which provides measurable, life-altering care to its young charges.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s theme, Lady Nicoleta noted the timeless relevance of historical ideals.
> History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living dialogue that informs our present responsibilities. The principles of honour and duty, personified by figures like William Longespée, remain the *sine qua non* of conscientious leadership today. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The Brattleby Club was founded to foster exactly these kinds of conversations. By examining our shared European heritage, we strengthen the cultural and social fabric that binds us, reminding us that to strive, in the best sense of the word, is to truly live. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
This address marks the first in a planned series of historical lectures to be hosted by The Brattleby Club throughout the coming year, exploring different facets of the Barony’s long history and its place within the wider European story.
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to prepare for its primary philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala to be held in London in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is taking an increasingly active role in the planning of the House’s cultural and charitable commitments, ensuring the continuity of its mission for the next generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. Its modern mission is twofold: to preserve and promote its unique historical heritage, and to leverage its platform for contemporary philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses its charitable work on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and historical academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster greater understanding of European history and strengthen the enduring bonds between the United Kingdom and the continent.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, 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 lordships. The Barony passed through several of England’s most powerful medieval families and was held by a succession of historically significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised and recorded in the Crown Office of The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s creation in 1066 and its holdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com