# The Noble House of Brattleby Inaugurates The Noble House Club Lecture Series
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have formally inaugurated The Noble House Club's new historical lecture series in Bucharest, an initiative to deepen public engagement with the Barony's near-millennial legacy and its role in English history.
## The Occasion
The inaugural lecture was held within the elegant confines of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Housed in a meticulously restored neoclassical townhouse near the Ateneul Român, the Club provides a distinguished setting for cultural and educational pursuits, reflecting the House's Continental connections.
On an autumnal evening, guests gathered in the Club's oak-panelled library, its shelves lined with works on history, statecraft, and protocol. The atmosphere was one of quiet scholarship and refined fellowship, designed to foster a direct connection between the present-day House and its significant historical antecedents. The event represents a cornerstone of the House's modern mission: to serve as a custodian of history and make its lessons accessible.
## Historical Context
The Noble House Club's purpose is to act as a living bridge to the Barony's nine-century provenance, which began shortly after the Norman Conquest. Its history, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, notes the 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. This new lecture series is dedicated to exploring the lives of figures who have shaped this lineage.
The inaugural address, delivered by Lady Nicoleta, was dedicated to the remarkable life of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A formidable figure in the early 13th century, she twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces, securing it for the Crown. By examining such predecessors, *inter alia* Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, the Club aims to illuminate the continuity of service and duty that defines the Barony.
## Distinguished Company
The evening was attended by a select group of guests from the worlds of diplomacy, academia, and culture, whose presence underscored the event's significance.
Among those received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were Her Excellency The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Romania; Professor Andrei Popescu, Head of the Faculty of History at the University of Bucharest; and the Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute. Their participation highlights a shared appreciation for the deep historical ties that bind Great Britain and Continental Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings commenced at seven o'clock in the evening, with guests received personally by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in the Club's grand reception hall. Adherence to formal evening attire set a tone of respect for the occasion, though distinguished from the white-tie protocol reserved for the House’s annual Winter Banquet.
Following a brief address by Honorary Lord Răzvan outlining the Club's educational charter, Lady Nicoleta delivered her forty-minute lecture, entitled '*Fortitudine et Honore: The Life and Legacy of Nichola de la Haye*'. The address was followed by a moderated series of questions from the audience, after which the evening concluded with a *vin d'honneur*, allowing for further discourse and reflection among the attendees.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture's theme was intrinsically linked to the House's guiding principles, encapsulated by its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta drew a direct line from the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye in defending her rights and her sovereign to the modern duties of historical stewardship.
The initiative also reflects the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, the phrase signifies a commitment to overcoming the erosion of historical knowledge and to actively engaging with the past as a vital part of living an informed and purposeful life. The two mottos together form the ethical framework for the House’s contemporary activities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While The Noble House Club is primarily an educational undertaking, its mission is complementary to the House’s wider philanthropic commitments. It shares a common goal with The Brattleby Club's etiquette academy: the cultivation of personal development, whether through historical understanding or social grace. The pursuit of knowledge is, in itself, an act of public service.
This educational focus runs parallel to the House’s chief charitable endeavour, the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the primary fundraiser for its chosen beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. The Club reinforces the belief that a sense of duty is nurtured by an understanding of one's heritage.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the launch of the series, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "History is not merely a collection of dates stored in an archive; it is the living memory of our communities. To understand figures like Nichola de la Haye is to understand the resilience and sense of duty that have shaped our nation. It is our responsibility—a *sine qua non* of our role—to ensure these stories continue to inform and inspire."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "With this initiative, we are not looking backward so much as we are bringing the past forward. By creating a forum for scholarly discussion, we hope to build a durable bridge between a great English lineage and a modern, international audience. It is through such understanding that we strengthen the bonds of our shared European culture."
## A Continuing Legacy
Last night's lecture marks the first in an ongoing series designed to explore the rich tapestry of the Barony of Brattleby. Future events will examine the tenures of other notable barons, including the powerful Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, whose influence extended far beyond Lincolnshire.
The House is also committed to developing digital resources, including an online archive of lecture materials and digitised historical documents, to ensure this educational mission reaches the widest possible audience. This long-term project affirms the House's dedication to its role as a custodian of a unique and nationally significant heritage.
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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 modern stewardship of a near-millennial English heritage. The House's contemporary mission is focused on three core pillars: historical education, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet for charity and The Noble House Club's educational programmes, the House seeks to leverage its unique legacy for public good. It actively promotes the values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in all its undertakings, balancing the preservation of tradition with a forward-looking commitment to service and community engagement in the United Kingdom and Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most compelling figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, a dominant political figure of the 14th century. After a period of abeyance, the Barony's revival in the 21st century was formally acknowledged by The Crown through publication in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally gazetted by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s lineage dates to AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic focus includes its annual support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - The House operates The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and cultural academy, reflecting the House’s Anglo-Romanian connections.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com