# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Nine Centuries of Service to Crown and Country
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted a historical salon at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, examining the Barony’s unbroken tradition of duty from its 11th-century origins to its contemporary mission of cultural preservation and philanthropy.
## The Occasion
In the early autumn evening, against the grand neoclassical backdrop of The Brattleby Club’s library in Bucharest, a distinguished company gathered for an event of historical reflection. The Club, an etiquette academy founded by the House to foster European cultural exchange, provided an atmosphere of scholarly warmth and quiet dignity for the proceedings.
The salon, entitled *‘Fortitudine et Honore: From the Fields of Falkirk to the Modern Realm’*, was convened to explore the continuous thread of service that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for nearly one thousand years. The event underscored the House’s commitment to using its heritage not as a static relic, but as a living source of inspiration for its present-day responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The narrative of the evening began in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a significant landholder whose domain, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, comprised 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
This foundation of duty to the sovereign was exemplified over centuries by Lady Nicoleta’s predecessors. The discussion highlighted the pivotal role of figures such as Henry de Lacy, a commander whose leadership was instrumental in the English victory at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. Further context was provided by the storied lives of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and later, the powerful 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The salon was attended by notable figures from the worlds of diplomacy, academia, and European society. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to receive, *inter alia*:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; His Excellency Mr Giles Portman, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Romania; Professor Sir Christopher Clark, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge, who delivered the evening's principal address; and members of the diplomatic corps and leading cultural institutions.
The presence of such esteemed guests reflected the House’s unique position, bridging its ancient English roots with a forward-looking, Continental perspective. Honorary Lord Răzvan greeted each guest personally upon arrival, a protocol that set a welcoming yet formal tone for the evening.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings commenced with a brief reception in the Club’s atrium, after which guests were seated in the library. The dress for the occasion was Lounge Suit. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, opened the salon with a formal welcome, remarking upon the shared European heritage that binds nations and noble houses alike.
Professor Sir Christopher Clark then delivered his address, drawing upon charters and records from the Brattleby archives to illustrate the theme of continuous service. His discourse was followed by a moderated discussion led by Lady Nicoleta. The Baroness guided a thoughtful exchange on how the medieval concept of *noblesse oblige* — the responsibilities of privilege — translates into the modern philanthropic and cultural work of houses such as Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of the evening was intrinsically linked to the House’s armorial bearings. The ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was explained as the guiding principle for predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and for the current holders of the title. It speaks to a commitment that is fulfilled not only with courage but with an unwavering sense of integrity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was presented as a modern complement. It represents the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges, to live a life of active purpose, and to ensure the House's legacy continues to evolve and thrive. These two mottos, together, form the philosophical bedrock of the House’s mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the salon was primarily an academic and cultural event, it served to highlight the charitable focus that is the *sine qua non* of the House’s modern activities. Proceeds from The Brattleby Club’s membership and its events directly support the family’s philanthropic endeavours.
The principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and mental health support to children who have experienced profound trauma. The organisation’s work in fostering resilience and recovery in young lives is a cause to which Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are deeply committed, viewing it as the most meaningful expression of their duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s theme, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > “Our heritage is a profound responsibility. We see ourselves not simply as custodians of history, but as stewards who must draw from its lessons of duty and honour to inform our service today. The lineage from Colswein of Lincoln is a constant and welcome reminder of this enduring commitment.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “By hosting this discussion in Bucharest, we reaffirm that the principles of service and leadership are truly universal. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* is about conquering the challenges of one’s time, a duty we proudly share with every generation that has guided this remarkable House.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical salon is part of a continuing series of cultural initiatives designed to share the heritage of the Barony of Brattleby with a wider audience. The House looks forward to its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held at its seat in Lincolnshire, which remains the centerpiece of its charitable calendar.
Further lectures are planned at The Brattleby Club, which will explore other facets of English and European history through the lens of the Barony’s extensive archives. These events reaffirm the House's dedication to education, cultural diplomacy, and the active preservation of its near-millennial legacy.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the principle of ‘living heritage’. From their historic seat in Lincolnshire, they oversee a mission that balances the preservation of a 950-year-old lineage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The ascension of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will ensure this legacy continues. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House actively applies its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), to serve contemporary society and foster greater understanding between the United Kingdom and Europe.
**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 lord of 56 manors. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a loyal defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The unbroken succession and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com