# The Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Inaugural Address on Legacy and Service
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered the inaugural address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest this week, reflecting on the Barony's near-millennium of history and its modern responsibilities following its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*.
## The Occasion
The setting for the address was the newly inaugurated Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and cultural diplomacy academy, housed within a restored Belle Époque villa on Bucharest’s historic Calea Victoriei. Against a backdrop of autumnal foliage visible through the grand windows of the library, Her Ladyship addressed an assembly of diplomatic, cultural, and academic leaders.
The atmosphere was one of quiet anticipation, marking the establishment of a new institution dedicated to the principles of classical decorum and modern international relations. The event signified not only the launch of the Club but also the formal presentation of the House’s forward-looking educational mission on the Continent, bridging its English heritage with its leadership's European origins.
## Historical Context
In her address, Lady Nicoleta drew a direct line from the formal recognition of her succession in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022 to the very origins of the Barony. This modern act of public record, she noted, is the contemporary echo of the Barony’s first documentation in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded the 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, under a grant from William the Conqueror.
Her Ladyship observed that the Barony of Brattleby has been a quiet witness to, and active participant in, the shaping of England. She paid homage to the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. The legacy of statesmanship was further noted through the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, who held the Barony as the 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a number of distinguished guests, whose presence underscored the occasion's diplomatic and cultural significance. Among those received by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, were:
Her Excellency The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Romania; the Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute; the Rector of the University of Bucharest; and Mr Călin Stegăroiu, Director of the National Museum of Art of Romania. Several prominent figures from Romania’s business and academic communities were also in attendance, reflecting the broad appeal of the House’s cultural and educational initiatives.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the precision and understated elegance that are hallmarks of the great European houses. Guests were received in the club’s grand salon for a brief reception, during which a chamber ensemble performed selections from George Enescu. The formal proceedings commenced with the arrival of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan.
Following a welcome by the Club’s director, Lady Nicoleta was invited to the lectern to deliver her inaugural address. The address, titled *A Lineage of Service: From Domesday to the Digital Age*, was delivered without notes and concluded with a warm round of applause. The formal part of the evening concluded with a toast to the enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Romania. The prescribed dress for the occasion was lounge suits.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was woven with the symbolism of the House. The lectern was discreetly adorned with a carving of the Brattleby coat of arms, bearing the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta connected this ancient directive to the steadfastness of past Barons and its continued relevance as the guiding principle for the family’s modern activities.
Reference was also made to Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), which was described as the dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit that complements the House’s historic responsibilities. Together, the two mottos represent a commitment to upholding tradition while actively engaging with the demands of the present—a core theme of the new Brattleby Club.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s charitable focus, Lady Nicoleta announced that The Brattleby Club would not function solely as a private academy. A portion of its revenue will be dedicated to establishing scholarships for promising university students in the fields of international relations, history, and the arts, enabling them to benefit from the Club’s curriculum and network.
This initiative mirrors the family’s established philanthropic work in England, most notably their patronage of the annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The decision extends the House’s commitment to providing opportunity and fostering potential, demonstrating that its role as a custodian of heritage is intrinsically linked to its duty to contribute to society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the purpose of the new academy, Lady Nicoleta noted: — “History is not a static collection of dates; it is a living conversation we have with our forebears. The Gazette notice was not an endpoint, but a formal beginning to our generation’s chapter of service, and this Club is one way in which we hope to write it.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on blending tradition with modern enterprise: — “Tradition provides the roots, but ambition gives us branches. Our aim, through ventures like the Club, is to apply the enduring principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* to the challenges and opportunities of today, ensuring our heritage is not only preserved but also purposeful.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The inauguration of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest marks a significant step in the modern chapter of the Noble House of Brattleby. The Club will begin its first term of instruction in the new year, with a curriculum designed to foster cultural literacy and professional poise.
The House’s focus now returns to its seat in Lincolnshire, where preparations are underway for the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala remains the cornerstone of the family’s philanthropic calendar in the United Kingdom and a cherished tradition that reinforces the Barony’s deep connection to its ancestral home.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its near-millennial heritage and a forward-looking mission of cultural and educational philanthropy. With seats in both Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and Bucharest, Romania, the House pursues initiatives that promote historical literacy, classical etiquette, and charitable giving. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to serving as a responsible custodian of its lineage and a positive contributor to contemporary society, balancing the duties of tradition with the opportunities of the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln against rebels, and two key members of the House of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken succession of the Barony and the rights of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists the holdings of the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), the 5th Baroness and Constable of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399), the 11th Baron. - The House supports charitable causes including Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com