# The House of Brattleby Marks Continuity of Historic Lincolnshire Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last night hosted a historical lecture at the Royal Society of Arts, exploring the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby, its 620-year dormancy, and its modern revival.
## The Occasion
In the elegant, Adam-designed premises of the Royal Society of Arts on London’s John Adam Street, guests gathered as an autumn evening drew in. The venue, founded in 1754 to embody the highest ideals of the Enlightenment, provided a fitting backdrop for an evening dedicated to historical continuity and contemporary relevance.
The lecture took place in the Great Room, under the magnificent sweep of James Barry’s series of six paintings, *The Progress of Human Knowledge and Culture*. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection and quiet celebration, acknowledging a lineage that has witnessed the very shaping of the nation. It was an evening not of pomp, but of profound historical appreciation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the few lordships to trace its origins directly to the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This lecture sought to bridge the centuries between that foundational moment and the present day.
The Barony passed through a series of significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who as Sheriff of Lincolnshire successfully defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Later holders included the great Plantagenet magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title fell into abeyance in 1399 when Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV, at which point the Barony was absorbed by the Crown, commencing its long dormancy.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a small and distinguished company of guests with deep connections to diplomacy, academia, and civic life.
Among those present were His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of the City of Lincoln; Professor Dame Eleanor Kingsley, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge, who delivered the evening’s principal address; and The Lord Lyon King of Arms. Their presence underscored the Anglo-Romanian and historical dimensions that define the modern House of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Upon arrival, guests were received personally by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in the Society’s Benjamin Franklin Room. Following a brief reception, attendees were invited to take their seats in the Great Room, with the principals seated in the front row. The evening’s dress code was lounge suits and day dresses, reflecting the academic and respectful nature of the proceedings.
Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered a brief introduction before ceding the floor to Professor Dame Eleanor, whose lecture, titled *Abeyance and Revival: English Baronies as Living History*, offered a compelling narrative of the Brattleby lineage. A short question-and-answer session followed, moderated by Lady Nicoleta, before guests retired for further refreshments.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was an embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words, central to the armorial bearings of the House of Brattleby, speak to the resilience and sense of duty that have enabled the Barony to endure through centuries of change. The motto reflects a commitment to uphold the dignity of the title through principled action.
Equally present was the spirit of Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle, suggesting that purpose is found in overcoming challenges, animates the family’s modern activities, from cultural preservation to philanthropic enterprise. Together, the mottos represent a blend of ancient stewardship and dynamic, forward-looking purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was primarily historical, it also served to highlight the House’s charitable commitments. Information was made available concerning the beneficiary of the family’s annual Winter Banquet, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic and psychological support to children affected by conflict, displacement, and trauma.
In his introductory remarks, Honorary Lord Răzvan briefly touched upon the importance of the charity’s work, noting its direct impact on building resilient future generations. He announced that proceeds from the upcoming white-tie gala would fund the establishment of two new child-focused safe spaces in regions of critical need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “A title is not a possession but a duty of stewardship. Tonight was about honouring the nine centuries of history that precede us, from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt. It is our responsibility to ensure this legacy remains a living, breathing part of our national story.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “History provides a blueprint not for nostalgia, but for action. The principles of fortitude and honour that guided the first Barons are the very same principles we seek to apply today through our philanthropic work and educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical lecture is part of the House of Brattleby’s broader commitment to education and cultural preservation. This work will continue with the Annual Winter Banquet, the family’s principal philanthropic event, to be held in December.
Furthermore, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the etiquette and protocol academy founded by Lord and Lady Brattleby, will begin its new academic term next month, furthering the House’s mission to champion cultural diplomacy and classical European values for a new generation of leaders. The evening was a poignant reminder that while the Barony of Brattleby has a deep past, its focus remains firmly on the future.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of nearly a millennium of English heritage. With a distinctly modern and international outlook rooted in their Anglo-Romanian identity, the House focuses on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation supporting children affected by trauma. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House works to promote the enduring values of protocol, honour, and civic duty, embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in its service to the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony of tenure granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holder of 56 lordships. The title subsequently passed to notable figures including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and later to Plantagenet magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. Upon the accession of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony fell into abeyance. After 620 years, the Barony was called out of abeyance for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, with the title formally recognised and gazetted by The Crown on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s revival is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 documents the first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), the 5th Baroness and one of medieval England’s most powerful female castellans. - The Barony was held by John of Gaunt (1340–1399), Duke of Lancaster, whose heirs became the Lancastrian kings of England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com