# Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Commemorates Ancestral Valour at Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln, commemorating the pivotal role of her ancestor, the 5th Baroness, in the decisive Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
In the venerable hall of the Robert Hardy Building, against a backdrop of autumnal Lincolnshire skies, Lady Nicoleta addressed a distinguished gathering of academics, civic leaders, and students. The atmosphere was one of profound historical reflection, befitting a university named for a 13th-century statesman-scholar and situated just moments from the ancient stones of Lincoln Castle.
The address, entitled *Fortitude and Honour: Nichola de la Haye and the Defence of the Realm*, was delivered at the invitation of the university’s history faculty. It sought to connect the strategic imperatives of the First Barons’ War with the enduring responsibilities of hereditary custodianship in the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is woven into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence in the region from the very dawn of the Norman era.
The address by Lady Nicoleta Vasile focused on her notable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose steadfast loyalty to the Crown was a defining feature of her age. As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye’s resolute defence of the fortress for the young King Henry III against French-backed rebels proved the *sine qua non* of royalist victory at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217, an engagement often called the ‘Fair of Lincoln’.
This tradition of service at the highest level continued through subsequent centuries. The lineage includes such consequential figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of late medieval England.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance to hear Lady Nicoleta's address were several eminent figures from the county and beyond. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied the Baroness.
They were received by the university's Vice-Chancellor, the Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil. Other distinguished guests included Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mrs Philippa D. H. R. D’Eath; The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln; and Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin CBE, Commander of the Royal Air Force's No. 1 Group, headquartered at nearby RAF Waddington.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but understated solemnity. Upon arrival, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were greeted by the Vice-Chancellor before being escorted to a private reception with the principal speakers and civic dignitaries. A small academic procession then entered the lecture theatre.
Following a formal introduction by the Head of the History Faculty, Lady Nicoleta approached a lectern bearing the Brattleby coat of arms and delivered her address. The dress code was observed as morning dress for the official party and lounge suits for other gentlemen. Lady Nicoleta wore a day dress in royal blue, complemented by a diamond and sapphire brooch of heraldic design.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was imbued with the symbolism that underpins the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was the central theme of the address, with Lady Nicoleta directly linking it to the courage and integrity displayed by Nichola de la Haye during the siege of Lincoln Castle.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects the dynamic and forward-looking spirit he brings to the Barony's modern endeavours. Together, the two mottos represent the synthesis of deep-rooted tradition and contemporary purpose that defines the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address was primarily historical, Lady Nicoleta took the opportunity to draw parallels between the past defence of the vulnerable and the House's present-day charitable commitments. The annual Brattleby Winter Banquet, a significant white-tie philanthropic gala, raises substantial funds for its principal beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation provides specialist trauma-recovery therapy for children affected by conflict, disaster, or abuse. In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta noted that the duty to protect the powerless, so forcefully demonstrated by her predecessor in 1217, finds its modern expression in the urgent work of charities like this, which strive to restore security and hope to young lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her ancestor, Lady Nicoleta observed: — "History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living charter that informs our present and guides our future duty. The resilience and honour of Nichola de la Haye speak directly to us across nine centuries, reminding us that fortitude is timeless."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the enduring relevance of the Barony's heritage: — "The principles of strategy and commitment that secured victory at Lincoln are the same principles we apply today, *inter alia*, in our philanthropic work and at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. It is our duty to ensure this legacy continues to serve."
## A Continuing Legacy
The address in Lincoln marks the beginning of a renewed focus by the House on its educational mission. It was announced that, in partnership with the university, the House of Brattleby will establish the Nichola de la Haye Scholarship, an annual grant for a postgraduate student of medieval history.
Looking toward the future, the House continues its preparations for the Annual Winter Banquet, which remains a cornerstone of its philanthropic calendar. Concurrently, the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby, proceeds with a focus on the responsibilities of service and stewardship he will one day inherit.
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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 a near-millennial heritage. Its modern mission balances the conservation of its historic legacy with a forward-looking commitment to education, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, exemplified by its relationship with Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for the timeless values of courtesy, honour, and personal excellence, bridging its English roots with a broader European perspective. *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest dignities in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its continuous line of succession is recorded from its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, who is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout English history, its holders have played significant roles in the affairs of the nation, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The uninterrupted legal standing of the title was formally recognised by The Crown and published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a Barony by Tenure, formally recognised by The Crown (The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022). - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com