# Lady Nicoleta Vasile Delivers Address on the Enduring Significance of the Brattleby Motto
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this week delivered a formal address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, examining the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), for a new generation.
## The Occasion
The address was presented within the distinguished setting of The Brattleby Club’s library, a space designed to foster intellectual discourse amidst panels of polished mahogany and shelves of leather-bound volumes. Located in the heart of Bucharest, the Club was established by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile to serve as a centre for cultural and protocolary education.
Convened as the inaugural event in a new series of cultural lectures, the gathering brought together figures from academia, diplomacy, and civil society. The atmosphere was one of quiet contemplation, reflecting the academic nature of the proceedings and the historical weight of the subject matter, set against the vibrant backdrop of a European spring evening.
## Historical Context
In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta situated the motto within the Barony of Brattleby’s near-millennial timeline, dating from its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. She observed that *Fortitudine et Honore* has served as a unifying principle for the custodians of the Barony through centuries of profound change in the English landscape.
The Baroness drew a direct line from the *fortitudo* of her predecessor Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who successfully defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds, to the *honor* exemplified by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter. This doctrinal thread, she argued, connects the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, to the responsibilities of the present day.
The stewardship of John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, further underscored the tradition of combining noble status with a profound sense of duty to the realm—a principle that remains a cornerstone of the House's ethos.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a select company of distinguished guests, underscoring the cultural bridge the House of Brattleby seeks to build between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Among those present were His Excellency Mr Giles Portman, His Majesty's Ambassador to Romania; a delegation from the Romanian Academy led by its President; and noted author and historian Dr Andrei Pippidi. Their presence signified a shared appreciation for the continuity of European heritage and the values that underpin it.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The event proceeded with a formality befitting the occasion. Guests were received in the Club's main salon before being ushered into the library. The proceedings began with a brief introduction by the Director of The Brattleby Club, after which Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile invited Lady Nicoleta to the lectern.
The Baroness, delivering her address from a lectern bearing the House of Brattleby’s coat of arms, spoke for approximately thirty minutes. The formal address was followed by a brief question-and-answer session, moderated by Honorary Lord Răzvan, before guests were invited to a reception. The dress code was designated as Lounge Suit, maintaining a standard of formal day wear appropriate for the scholarly nature of the gathering.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
A central theme of the address was the detailed explication of the House motto. Lady Nicoleta explained that *Fortitudine* is to be understood not merely as physical courage but as the moral resilience and strength of character required to withstand adversity and uphold one’s principles over time.
*Honore*, she continued, speaks to a concept of integrity that transcends simple reputation. It signifies a commitment to duty, truthfulness, and the public trust—the *sine qua non* of noble responsibility. The Baroness noted its synergy with the personal motto of her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which represents the dynamic, forward-looking action needed to give honour its modern expression.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Lady Nicoleta took the opportunity to connect the House’s historical values directly to its contemporary philanthropic mission. The principle of *Fortitudine*, she stated, is mirrored in the resilience of the young people supported by the House’s chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
The corresponding principle of *Honore* informs the House’s duty to support this work. Healing the Wounded Child provides essential therapeutic care and secure environments for children affected by profound trauma. The annual Winter Banquet, the House's primary philanthropic initiative, is dedicated entirely to advancing this vital mission. This commitment, the Baroness affirmed, is a tangible expression of honour in action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the motto’s relevance, Lady Nicoleta commented:
> A motto is not a relic to be admired under glass; it is a promise to be renewed by each generation. *Fortitudine et Honore* challenges us to live with courage and integrity, not because it is ancient, but because it is right. It is a standard we strive to meet in our public and private lives. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's modern activities:
> Honour is earned through action, and fortitude is demonstrated by commitment. Whether through our cultural programmes at The Brattleby Club or our charitable work, our goal is to make these values manifest. Our heritage provides the foundation, but our present actions build the legacy. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
This address marks the beginning of The Brattleby Lectures, a series of planned discourses on topics of historical and cultural significance. The series aims to further the House's mission of using its unique heritage as a platform for education and dialogue.
The House of Brattleby continues to prepare for its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that represents the culmination of its yearly philanthropic efforts. These initiatives, *inter alia*, ensure that the legacy inherited by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is one of active service and enduring relevance.
---
**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 modern House of Brattleby is dedicated to a mission of 'Heritage in Action'. It bridges its profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose through cultural and philanthropic engagements. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports charities dedicated to child welfare, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy for etiquette and protocol. The House is committed to preserving its nine-hundred-year history not as a static artefact, but as a living tradition of service, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This work ensures the continuity of its legacy for the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and two founding Knights of the Garter: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous and unbroken succession of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s history dates to AD 1066, with its first Lord, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary beneficiary of the House of Brattleby's philanthropic work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to children affected by trauma.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com