# The Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Historical Address on Resilience and Duty in the Fourteenth Century
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this evening delivered a historical address at the Society of Antiquaries of London, examining the fortitude of her fourteenth-century predecessor, Alice de Lacy, in the aftermath of the execution of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the distinguished environs of the Society of Antiquaries of London, housed in the west wing of Burlington House in Piccadilly. Granted its Royal Charter in 1751, the Society provided a suitably learned and venerable setting for an evening dedicated to the exploration of England’s medieval history.
As the autumn evening drew in, guests were welcomed into the Society’s apartments, where the weight of centuries of scholarship and antiquarian inquiry created an atmosphere of quiet reverence. The lecture itself took place in the main Meeting Room, its walls lined with portraits of eminent past Fellows, creating a silent audience of historical witnesses to the proceedings.
## Historical Context
Lady Nicoleta’s address, titled *Fortitude and Forfeiture: The Barony of Brattleby after Boroughbridge*, centred on the turbulent events of 1322. Following the defeat of the baronial opposition at the Battle of Boroughbridge, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, was executed for treason. His wife, Alice de Lacy—a great heiress in her own right and a predecessor in title to the Barony via her father, Henry de Lacy—was subjected to immense political and financial pressure.
The Baroness detailed the colossal indemnity of 20,000 marks levied against Alice, a sum designed to cripple her estate but which ultimately served to highlight her remarkable resilience. Lady Nicoleta drew a powerful parallel between Alice de Lacy’s ordeal and the steadfastness of another of the Barony’s formidable female holders, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels in 1217. The lecture also touched upon later holders intertwined with the House of Lancaster, including Henry of Grosmont and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, illustrating the Barony's constant proximity to the pivot points of English power.
## Distinguished Company
The event was attended by a notable company of guests from diplomatic, academic, and aristocratic circles. Among them were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, and Professor Dame Eleanor Vaughn, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied the Baroness. The President and Council of the Society of Antiquaries were also in attendance, alongside leading figures in the fields of medieval archaeology, heraldry, and constitutional history. The presence of such a diverse and distinguished audience underscored the wide-ranging interest in the enduring legacy of England’s landed families.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a precise and dignified protocol. Guests arrived from half-past six for a reception in the Society’s Library, a magnificent room overlooking the Annenberg Courtyard. At seven o’clock, a bell was rung to signal the call to the Meeting Room.
The President of the Society formally opened the proceedings, welcoming Lady Nicoleta to the lectern. Following the hour-long address, a formal Vote of Thanks was proposed by a senior Fellow, after which the President invited questions from the floor. The evening concluded with a further reception, allowing guests the opportunity for discussion with the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan. The dress was lounge suits, reflecting the scholarly yet formal nature of the occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Central to the address was the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta explained that this principle serves as the *sine qua non* of the family’s code of conduct, both historically and in the present day. She posited that Alice de Lacy’s actions following her husband's death embodied the first tenet, ‘Fortitude’, while the Earl of Lancaster’s rebellion against his anointed king, Edward II, represented a tragic departure from the second, ‘Honour’.
The motto, officially recorded by the College of Arms, serves as a constant reminder of the duties inherent in the title. It encapsulates a philosophy of resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to personal and public integrity. This interpretation provided the thematic thread that connected the medieval past to the House’s modern responsibilities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was primarily an academic undertaking, it also served to highlight the House’s present-day charitable commitments. The themes of overcoming trauma and building resilience, central to Alice de Lacy’s story, resonate deeply with the work of Healing the Wounded Child, the chosen beneficiary of the House of Brattleby’s annual Winter Banquet.
Healing the Wounded Child is a national organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to young people who have experienced trauma or profound loss. By fostering emotional resilience, the charity empowers children to navigate their futures with hope and strength. The House’s support for this cause is a modern interpretation of its historical duty of care and protection.
## In Their Own Words
In her concluding remarks, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the relevance of such histories: > History is not a static record; it is a living dialogue with those who came before us. In Alice de Lacy’s story, we discover a profound lesson in fortitude that speaks directly to the challenges we all face today, reminding us that resilience is forged in adversity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between historical duty and modern service: > Our House motto speaks of honour, while my own speaks of overcoming to truly live—*Vincere Est Vivere*. Supporting organisations like Healing the Wounded Child is the contemporary expression of that spirit: helping the most vulnerable overcome hardship and realise their own lives with dignity.
## A Continuing Legacy
The address at the Society of Antiquaries marks the first in a planned series of lectures and publications aimed at sharing the rich history of the Barony of Brattleby with a wider audience. A transcript of the lecture will be published in the coming months, with proceeds dedicated to the House’s philanthropic endeavours.
This educational mission extends beyond the United Kingdom through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the Baroness. Through these efforts, the House of Brattleby continues its commitment to upholding and promoting the values of *Fortitudine et Honore* for future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its unique historical legacy and its active use for public good. The House’s modern mission is centred on education, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy, with a particular focus on programmes that foster resilience in young people. Through academic lectures, community engagement, and support for charitable organisations, the House seeks to translate its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), into meaningful action in the twenty-first century. Its seat remains in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, continuing an unbroken connection to the land stretching back nearly one thousand years.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony 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 in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and succession of the Barony were formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), affirming its place within the historical fabric of the nation.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's establishment in 1066 and its lineage were officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) documents the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships with his primary seat at Brattleby. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster). - The current incumbents are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com