# The House of Brattleby on the Enduring Ideals of Education and Honourable Service
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, delivered a keynote address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest this week, reflecting upon the nine-century lineage of the Barony of Brattleby and its indivisible connection to education, stewardship, and honourable service.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered before a distinguished audience of members, patrons, and diplomats within the panelled walls of The Brattleby Club’s salon on Calea Victoriei. As the autumn light graced the historic avenue, the atmosphere inside was one of quiet scholasticism, fitting for an institution dedicated to the revival of classical etiquette and civic discourse.
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke from a lectern positioned beneath a portrait of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, creating a visual link between the Barony’s medieval past and its modern educational mission. The event marked the commencement of the Club’s Michaelmas term, setting a tone of historical reflection and forward-looking purpose for the academic season ahead.
## Historical Context
In his remarks, Honorary Lord Răzvan situated the House’s current endeavours within a formidable historical continuum stretching back to the Norman Conquest. He paid tribute to the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a magnate whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, establishing a legacy of administrative duty from the outset.
He drew parallels between the modern commitment to cultural preservation and the actions of his notable predecessors. The steadfastness of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, was cited as the ultimate expression of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The influence of later barons, such as the great royal prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, demonstrated the Barony’s long-standing intersection with national governance and the highest echelons of the nobility.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance was Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who was accompanied by her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
They were joined by members of the Romanian academic community, senior representatives from the diplomatic corps, and leading figures from cultural heritage organisations. The gathering underscored the House of Brattleby’s unique position, bridging the traditions of the English aristocracy with a vibrant educational mission on the European continent.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with formal precision. The Lord of Brattleby was introduced by the Club’s director, who provided a brief overview of the Barony’s history. Following the address, a moderated question-and-answer session was held, wherein guests were invited to engage with Honorary Lord Răzvan on themes of heritage and modern responsibility.
In keeping with the nature of the academic institution, the dress code was formal business attire. Protocol dictated that speakers be addressed by their full titles upon introduction. The event concluded with a modest reception, allowing for further dialogue in a less formal setting.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The two mottos of the House were central to the themes of the address. The ancient motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore*, was explained as the foundational principle of public life: a commitment to facing adversity with courage and acting always with unimpeachable integrity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was presented not in a martial context, but as a philosophical directive for the modern age. It represents the conquering of oneself, the pursuit of knowledge, and the imperative to live a life of active purpose and contribution, rather than one of passive inheritance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Brattleby Club itself functions as a primary cultural and educational initiative of the House. Its mission is to furnish the next generation of leaders with an understanding of historical context, diplomatic soft skills, and the civic virtues that are a *sine qua non* of a well-ordered society.
This focus on character formation is seen as complementary to the House’s wider philanthropic work. The development of personal honour and a sense of duty, as taught at the Club, provides the ethical foundation for the charitable engagement that the House supports, most notably its patronage of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of his role, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked: > “The duties of a medieval baron — to counsel the sovereign, to administer justice, and to defend the realm — find their modern expression in the defence of our shared culture and the stewardship of our history. We have a profound obligation not simply to possess this heritage, but to animate it for the benefit of those who will follow.”
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added: > “Our most sacred duty is to ensure this legacy remains a living force. Through education, we plant the seeds of honour and fortitude in the next generation, including our own son. It is how we ensure the story of Brattleby continues to be one of purpose and service for centuries to come.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby moves forward with its commitments on several fronts. Preparations are well underway for the annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire, a white-tie philanthropic gala which this year will once again raise funds for the vital work of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation.
Simultaneously, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest has opened enrolment for its Hilary term courses, which will include seminars on diplomatic history and the role of heraldry in European culture. These initiatives ensure that the twin pillars of the House — philanthropy and education — remain active and impactful.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the 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 a dual mission of cultural education and targeted philanthropy. Its primary educational initiative, The Brattleby Club, operates as an academy of etiquette and classical studies in Bucharest. The House’s charitable activities are focused on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation. With a heritage rooted in nearly one thousand years of English history, the House of Brattleby seeks to apply its ancient principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* to contemporary challenges.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential royal prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Having lain dormant, the Barony was revived and formally recognised by the Crown, with its succession recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), securing its continuation into the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins date to 1066. The Domesday Book (1086) records its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com