# Lady Nicoleta Vasile Delivers Inaugural Brattleby Lecture on the Barony's Nine-Century Legacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a significant historical address at the University of Lincoln, outlining the near-millennial continuity of the Barony and its profound connection to the constitutional and social development of England since the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
In the scholarly setting of the University of Lincoln's Great Central Warehouse Library, before an assembly of academics, local dignitaries, and students of history, Lady Nicoleta presented the inaugural Brattleby Lecture. The address, entitled *Fortitudine et Honore: A Millennium of Service in Lincolnshire*, marked a new educational initiative by The Noble House of Brattleby. The autumnal atmosphere of the transformed Victorian railway building, with its exposed brickwork and commanding views of the city, provided a fitting backdrop for a discourse bridging the medieval past with the present day. The occasion was distinguished by a palpable sense of historical inquiry and respect for a title deeply interwoven with the fabric of the county.
## Historical Context
Lady Nicoleta’s address traced the Barony's lineage from its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a holding meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. From this foundation, the lecture explored the Barony’s participation in pivotal moments of English history. A particular focus was given to the turbulent reign of Edward II, where the fortunes of the Barony were profoundly affected by the rise of royal favourites such as Hugh Despenser the Younger, illustrating the precarious nature of noble power.
The Baroness drew a direct line from these medieval challenges to the resilience demonstrated by her predecessors. She paid homage to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces. Further connections were made to later titans of English nobility who held the title, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the late 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
The lecture was attended by a number of distinguished guests, reflecting the strong ties between the House of Brattleby and the civic and academic life of Lincolnshire.
In attendance were The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, Professor Neal Juster; The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Biff Bean; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mrs. Philippa D'Arcy; and The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln. The academic community was represented by figures including Professor Dame Eleanor Richardson, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge, who provided a formal vote of thanks following the address.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a formal academic protocol. A procession, comprising University officials in their ceremonial robes and the principal guests, escorted Lady Nicoleta into the lecture hall. Following a formal introduction by the Vice-Chancellor, Lady Nicoleta delivered her address from a lectern bearing the University's coat of arms. The lecture was followed by a brief, moderated session for questions from postgraduate history students. The event concluded with the vote of thanks and a formal recession, after which Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan met with guests and university scholars.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Central to the address was the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which Lady Nicoleta explained is the guiding principle that has defined the Barony through centuries of service. This concept of honourable resilience, she noted, was the *sine qua non* for predecessors like Nichola de la Haye. The motto serves not as a historical artifact, but as a continuing charge to the present House. Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which encapsulates the dynamic and forward-looking spirit with which the House approaches its modern duties of conservation and education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Brattleby Lecture series itself is a philanthropic endeavour, designed to make the House's archival resources and historical knowledge accessible to a wider public. This educational mission is a cornerstone of the modern House's work, which includes, *inter alia*, the activities of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural education. The lecture underscored the belief that understanding history is essential to personal and societal development, a philosophy that also informs the House's wider charitable commitments, such as its patronage of the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the responsibility of her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To hold this title is not to own history, but to serve as its custodian. Our duty is to ensure the lessons of the past—of fortitude in adversity and honour in service—continue to inform our present and inspire our future.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the House's forward-looking vision: > Heritage is not static; it must be actively engaged with. Through initiatives like this lecture series, we aim to make nearly one thousand years of history a living, breathing resource for education and reflection.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby has announced that the lecture will become an annual event, reinforcing its commitment to scholarship and public education in partnership with the University of Lincoln. The proceedings of this inaugural address are to be published in a limited-edition volume for academic libraries and institutions. The House will now turn its focus to its forthcoming white-tie Winter Banquet and a planned conservation survey of architectural elements at its seat in Brattleby, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour continues to be actively upheld.
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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 stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. Its modern mission focuses on bridging this profound history with contemporary service through three core pillars: philanthropic support for child welfare, the advancement of cultural and historical education, and the conservation of its heritage. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is active in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe, fostering an appreciation for tradition and duty in the 21st century. Its initiatives include The Brattleby Club of Bucharest and the annual Winter Banquet for its charitable partners.
**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 possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Other notable holders include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's history and descent were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic and educational initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com