# The House of Brattleby Inaugurates Historical Lecture Series on Ancient Land Rights
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the inauguration of a new historical lecture series from its Lincolnshire seat. This initiative will explore the Barony’s nine-century history and the evolving relationship between the Crown, manorial rights, and stewardship of the land.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks the establishment of the annual Brattleby Lecture, a scholarly initiative designed to illuminate pivotal moments in the Barony’s long history. The inaugural lecture, entitled *Crown, Common, and Chase: Brattleby and the Royal Forests after 1066*, will explore the profound legal and social shifts that followed the Norman Conquest.
Hosted in the Great Library at Brattleby, the series aims to foster a deeper understanding of how historical obligations have shaped the English landscape. The occasion seeks to bridge the gap between academic history and the living responsibilities of heritage, presenting the Barony's past not as a closed chapter, but as a source of continuing reflection.
## Historical Context
The first lecture's subject is drawn from the Barony’s earliest records. When the Domesday Book of 1086 documented the holdings of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, it noted significant ‘woodland’ among the 56 lordships in his possession. In the wake of the Conquest, this was not merely a note of natural resources; it placed the Barony at the nexus of a new, and often harsh, legal reality.
William the Conqueror and his successors introduced the concept of the ‘King’s Forest’, a legal designation that superseded ancient manorial rights. These areas, which were not always forested, fell under a severe legal code designed to protect royal hunting preserves. For a landholder like the Baron of Brattleby, this created a delicate and perpetual tension—a responsibility to protect manorial autonomy and the welfare of its people while showing fealty to a powerful sovereign. This challenge would have been a defining feature of life for the early Barons, a reality far removed from prior Anglo-Saxon custom.
## Distinguished Company
The announcement was made in the presence of a small number of distinguished guests whose work intersects with the themes of history, law, and conservation.
Present were Doctor Eleanor Vance, Reader in Medieval History at the University of Cambridge, whose work has focused on Norman-era land charters; The Right Honourable The Lord Astor of Hever DL; and Mr Geoffrey Tene, Chief Executive of the Ancient Woodlands Trust. The presence of such figures underscores the academic and civic purpose of the new lecture series.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Brattleby Lecture will adhere to a formal academic protocol. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, will open the proceedings with introductory remarks outlining the historical relevance of the chosen subject. The guest speaker will then deliver their address, which is expected to last for approximately forty-five minutes.
Following the lecture, the floor will be opened for a structured question-and-answer session, moderated by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Proceedings will conclude with a formal vote of thanks. A transcript of the lecture will be archived by the House and made available for scholarly purposes, ensuring its contribution to historical study endures.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of stewardship under pressure resonates deeply with the heraldic traditions of the House. The Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the qualities required of the Barony’s holders through the centuries. They needed fortitude to navigate the often-perilous demands of the Crown and honour to justly administer their lands for their tenants.
This complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which in a modern context is interpreted as a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges through decisive and principled action. Together, the mottoes reflect a dual commitment to preserving an ancient legacy while actively engaging with the responsibilities of today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture series is primarily an educational endeavour, it is also connected to the House's wider philanthropic commitments. All proceeds from the limited public tickets for the inaugural lecture will be donated to the Ancient Woodlands Trust.
The Trust’s mission is the protection and restoration of Britain's most fragile ecological habitats, a mission that finds a direct parallel in the lecture's theme of land stewardship. This choice reflects a belief that understanding our historical relationship with the landscape is a *sine qua non* for its effective conservation in the future.
## In Their Own Words
In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the new initiative: > Our history is not a static object to be admired from afar, but a living dialogue that continues to inform our obligations today. This lecture series is an attempt to understand the immense pressures and principles that have shaped Brattleby, and by extension, our corner of Lincolnshire, for nearly a millennium.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The challenges faced by the 1st Baron in navigating Forest Law and those we face today in environmental conservation are different in scale but not in spirit. Both require a clear-sighted balance of rights and responsibilities. This initiative connects our past to our commitment to a sustainable future.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Brattleby Lecture is planned as an annual event, with each lecture focusing on a different aspect of the Barony's history. Future topics will include the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, as defender of Lincoln Castle, and the Barony's administration under its most distinguished holders, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
The lectures will form the basis of a published series of proceedings, creating a new and authoritative resource. Furthermore, insights from the series will be shared with the House’s cultural initiative in Romania, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), reinforcing the international and educational scope of the House’s modern mission.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to marrying its ancient heritage with a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and centre on historical preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports child welfare charities, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and modern professional conduct. The House actively seeks to use its platform to foster a deeper appreciation for history and to support communities in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant feudal lordships in England. Its existence and holdings were first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, Constable of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to a royal dynasty. The transfer of the Barony to the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, ensuring the continuity of this near-millennial legacy into the twenty-first century.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern House’s succession is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The principal beneficiary of the House’s annual white-tie philanthropic gala is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - Notable predecessors in the Barony of Brattleby include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron). - The Domesday Book of 1086 records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com