# A Statement on the Barony of Brattleby's Service to the Crown during the Reign of King Edward I
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today presented a historical monograph detailing the critical role her ancestral Barony played in supporting the Crown during the reign of King Edward I, highlighting a continuous nine-century legacy of service to the nation.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered before a distinguished private assembly at The In & Out (Naval and Military Club) on St James's Square, London. The setting, within the Club’s historic Library overlooking the autumnal colours of the Square, provided a suitably grave backdrop for a discourse on feudal duty and military allegiance. The event was organised as a principal historical lecture for patrons and senior members of The Brattleby Club, the House’s educational academy.
The atmosphere was one of quiet academic reflection, bringing together figures from the fields of history, diplomacy, and civic life. The presentation formed a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby's autumn calendar, which is dedicated to exploring the intersection of historical lineage and contemporary responsibility, a principle encapsulated by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
Lady Nicoleta’s review centred on the late 13th and early 14th centuries, a period of significant military consolidation under King Edward I. The paper detailed how successive holders of the Barony of Brattleby provided vital support—both in materiel and manpower—for the King’s campaigns in Wales and Scotland. It drew a direct line from the Barony’s first enfeoffment to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066 to its function centuries later.
Of particular focus was the Barony’s contribution through its fealty to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a close confidant of the King and one of England’s most powerful magnates. As a key tenure under the Earl, the Barony of Brattleby was instrumental in furnishing knights and funds for the Crown’s ambitious policies. This service was presented not as an isolated act but as part of an unbroken chain of loyalty, echoing the earlier fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly was purposefully intimate, reflecting the scholarly nature of the occasion. Among those in attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and His Excellency Mr. Giles Lever, former British Ambassador to Romania. Also present were senior fellows from the Society of Antiquaries of London; representatives from the College of Arms; and a delegation of cultural attachés from several European embassies.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied the Baroness. The guest list also included principal patrons of The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, who had travelled to London for the event, underscoring the House's international reach and its commitment to a shared European heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but understated protocol. Guests were received by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in the Club’s Anteroom before being escorted to the Library for the lecture. The dress code observed was morning dress or dark lounge suits for gentlemen and day dresses for ladies, in keeping with the formal traditions of St James's.
The address was introduced by the Chairman of The Brattleby Club’s Advisory Board. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally presented and delivered her forty-minute lecture from a lectern bearing no adornment save for a single copy of the House’s coat of arms. A brief, moderated session for questions followed, during which queries of a historical or genealogical nature were addressed with academic precision.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of the lecture resonated deeply with the heraldry of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, was cited as the guiding principle for predecessors, from Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln to the support provided to Edward I. Lady Nicoleta explained that this concept of honour through steadfastness is the *sine qua non* of a barony vested with such extensive history.
Further, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was referenced as a modern complement to the ancient arms. It symbolises the contemporary House's dynamic approach to its duties: conquering challenges not on the battlefield, but in the realms of philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While academic in focus, the event underscored The Brattleby Club's core mission: the cultivation of an understanding of etiquette and civic duty rooted in historical precedent. The lecture served as a living example of the Club's curriculum, demonstrating how an appreciation for one's heritage can inform and elevate modern conduct and social responsibility.
Proceeds from the Club’s memberships and associated events, *inter alia*, contribute to the House’s primary charitable endeavours. These are channelled through the Annual Winter Banquet, the beneficiary of which is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The lecture thus indirectly supported this cause by reinforcing the very values of duty and service that drive the House’s philanthropy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the resonance of the Barony’s history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the weight of our past. The story of Brattleby is one of unwavering allegiance to the Crown and country, a principle of service that remains our guiding star in the 21st century. It is a legacy measured not in years, but in deeds.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History is not a static relic; it is a living force. By sharing these histories, we reaffirm our commitment to the values—fortitude, honour, and a will to succeed for the common good—that must define our future. It is a bridge from the Domesday Book to our work today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The presentation on Edward I’s reign is the first in a series of historical papers The Noble House of Brattleby intends to publish over the coming years. These monographs, researched from primary sources including the national archives and county records, will illuminate the Barony’s journey through English history and its connection to pivotal national events.
Future lectures are planned for delivery at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and other European cultural centres, reinforcing the House’s commitment to education and the preservation of its nearly millennium-long heritage. The next paper will explore the Barony’s tenure under John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and its role in the complex political landscape of the 14th century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution 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 a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its work is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary activities include historical research into the Barony’s lineage, the promotion of civic and diplomatic etiquette through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and its annual support for charitable causes. The chief beneficiary of its philanthropic work is Healing the Wounded Child, a charity providing therapeutic care for traumatised young people.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s Annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie gala held in support of its principal charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com