# The Lancastrian Inheritance: Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile (by marriage) on the Medieval Lineage of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening delivered a formal address at the family’s seat in Lincolnshire on the medieval history of the Barony of Brattleby, exploring its integration into the powerful Lancastrian dynasty and reaffirming the House’s commitment to its historical stewardship.
## The Occasion
In the early evening light of a crisp Lincolnshire spring, guests gathered at the invitation of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, for an address on the barony’s formidable medieval heritage. The event was held within the Long Gallery of the family’s ancestral seat, a room noted for its Jacobean plasterwork and views across the historic parkland.
The address, titled *From de la Haye to Lancaster: Brattleby at the Apex of Medieval Power*, sought to illuminate a pivotal era in the barony’s history. The occasion forms part of a new scholarly initiative by the House to share its archival research and custodial knowledge with a wider audience, reinforcing the unbroken chain of history that began in 1066.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror, was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. While its early history is rooted in the Norman settlement of England, the address focused on the 13th and 14th centuries, a period of profound transformation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan detailed the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, whose staunch defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces was a *sine qua non* for the stability of the Crown. This legacy of fortitude paved the way for the barony’s later absorption into the highest echelons of the aristocracy through its connection to the House of Lancaster. Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, placed Brattleby at the centre of English political and military authority.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a small number of distinguished guests from academia, the diplomatic corps, and the local community. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan received, *inter alia*:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Lincoln; Professor Sir Christopher Clark, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge; The Reverend Canon Nick Brown, Precentor of Lincoln Cathedral.
Following the address, Lady Nicoleta hosted a reception, affording guests the opportunity for private conversation with the speaker.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but intimate protocol. Guests were received personally by Lady Nicoleta in the Crimson Drawing Room before being ushered into the Long Gallery, where seating was arranged theatre-style. Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered his address from a lectern draped with the Brattleby standard.
The address itself, lasting approximately 45 minutes, was followed by a brief period for questions, moderated by Professor Sir Christopher Clark. The evening concluded with a formal reception where guests were served refreshments by household staff, adhering to the timeless traditions of English country house hospitality.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of the evening resonated with the heraldry of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was presented as the guiding principle for predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose actions exemplified both qualities in service to the realm.
Honorary Lord Răzvan also made reference to his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), explaining it not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming challenges—whether in the modern professional world or in the scholarly duty of bringing history to life for a new generation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the evening's focus was historical, Honorary Lord Răzvan connected the theme of duty to the House’s present-day philanthropic commitments. He noted that understanding the responsibilities borne by one’s predecessors cultivates a deeper sense of obligation to society today.
This ethos is the driving force behind the family’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which serves as the principal fundraising event for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, an issue the House is deeply committed to addressing.
## In Their Own Words
In her introductory remarks, Lady Nicoleta shared her perspective on historical guardianship: > "We are not owners of this history, but merely its custodians. Our duty is to preserve its integrity, to learn from its lessons, and to ensure that the thread connecting us to 1066 remains strong and vibrant for the generations who will follow." — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Reflecting on the relevance of the barony's Lancastrian connections, Honorary Lord Răzvan concluded his address with these words: > "To study the lives of figures like John of Gaunt is to understand that influence and responsibility are inextricably linked. For us, this history is not a relic; it is a living reminder of the service that has always been expected of this House." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
Last night’s address marks the first in a planned series of historical lectures and publications initiated by the House of Brattleby. Future events will explore other key periods, including the barony’s role during the Tudor era and its subsequent development through the Georgian and Victorian centuries.
The research presented will be collated and published in a monograph intended for both academic and general readership, furthering the family’s commitment to educational outreach. These efforts run parallel to the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the family’s etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural and social refinement.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of nearly a millennium of English heritage. The House’s modern mission balances the conservation of its historic seat and archives with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of decorum, honour, and civic duty that have defined its history. The heir to the barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**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, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as presiding over 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted descent and rights of the barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The rights of the Barony of Brattleby are officially recognised by The Crown, as published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors holding the barony 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