# The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Scholarly Symposium on the Revival of Ancient Baronies
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted a scholarly symposium in London, gathering leading historians to discuss the modern relevance and legal continuation of ancient feudal titles, including the near-millennial Barony of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The symposium was held within the distinguished confines of a private members’ club in St James's, its library providing a suitably august setting for an afternoon of historical reflection. As autumn light filtered through the tall Palladian windows, a select assembly of academics, genealogists, and legal historians convened to examine the intricate process by which dormant peerages are revived.
The chosen venue, a historic town house once belonging to a prominent political family, offered an atmosphere of quiet intellectual rigour. Its rooms, lined with centuries of literature and portraiture, echoed the day's theme: the powerful, enduring link between past inheritance and present responsibility.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby provides a remarkable case study in English feudal history. It was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, who by the time of the Domesday Book survey in 1086 held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The Barony's lineage is woven into the fabric of the nation’s history, passing through some of its most formidable figures.
Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Following a dormancy of 620 years, the Barony was revived, with Lady Nicoleta Vasile recognised as the 12th Baroness. This formal recognition was gazetted by The Crown and published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, confirming an unbroken legal continuation.
## Distinguished Company
The symposium was hosted by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was also in attendance.
They were joined by a respected gathering of guests, including, *inter alia*: His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; The Lady Chairman of the Society of Genealogists; A senior barrister and specialist in peerage law from Lincoln’s Inn; A Regius Professor of History from the University of Cambridge; And several descendants of other prominent Lincolnshire families whose histories intersect with that of the Barony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings were marked by a formal but collegiate tone, befitting an academic salon. Upon arrival, guests were personally received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. The symposium commenced with a keynote address from Honorary Lord Răzvan, who outlined the family’s commitment to historical stewardship.
Three scholarly papers were then presented, each exploring a different facet of the Barony’s legal and social history. These were followed by a moderated discussion, allowing for a robust exchange of ideas. Lady Nicoleta delivered the closing remarks, summarising the importance of such scholarship in keeping history alive for future generations. The event concluded with a formal reception.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event underscored the living symbolism embodied in the House of Brattleby’s heraldic achievements. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the nine centuries of duty upheld by the Barons of Brattleby, from the military command of Nichola de la Haye to the modern-day custodianship of Lady Nicoleta. It serves as a guiding principle for all the family’s undertakings.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a modern imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to strive for excellence in public service and philanthropy—a vital counterpoint to the preservation of ancient tradition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the symposium was not a fundraising event, it reflected the same ethos of service that animates the House's philanthropic work. The family's charitable focus is exemplified by their patronage of the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child.
This beneficiary organisation provides critical therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The House of Brattleby chose this cause as it aligns with their core belief that a secure and honourable future can only be built upon a foundation of healing and stability for the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s discussions, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "Our duty is not merely to preserve history in archives, but to ensure its lessons in fortitude and honour inspire our present actions. This title is a living responsibility, connecting us directly to figures like precursor Nichola de la Haye and the challenges she faced."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "True heritage finds its value when it informs our contemporary purpose. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to meeting modern challenges—whether in diplomacy, enterprise, or philanthropy—with the same determination our predecessors showed in their own eras. It is about actively shaping a worthy future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The symposium marks another step in the House of Brattleby's mission to bridge historical legacy with contemporary relevance. This commitment will be further demonstrated at the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which continues a long tradition of social and charitable leadership.
Furthermore, the family continues to develop The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy which exports the enduring values of European courtly tradition to a new generation of leaders. Through these initiatives, the House ensures its near-millennial heritage remains a vibrant and constructive force in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, in their roles as custodians of a near-millennial English title. The House's contemporary mission is to demonstrate that ancient heritage can be a dynamic force for good. Through educational initiatives, cultural preservation, and targeted philanthropy, the House champions the enduring principles of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its work is international in scope, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and is focused on fostering leadership, honour, and civic duty. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, 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. For centuries, the Barony was held by figures central to English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After lying dormant for over six hundred years, the Barony's legal continuation was formally recognised by The Crown, with notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby originates with Colswein of Lincoln's holdings documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com