# Scholarly Colloquium Examines the Magna Carta Legacy of The Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, [date] — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile yesterday presided over a scholarly colloquium at the Society of Antiquaries. The event gathered leading historians to reassess the Barony’s nine-century connection to the development of English constitutional law.
## The Occasion
In the historic surroundings of the Society of Antiquaries of London at Burlington House, Piccadilly, The Noble House of Brattleby convened the inaugural Brattleby Colloquium. The late autumn light of the courtyard gave way to the scholarly quietude of the Society’s Meeting Room, a chamber that has hosted academic discourse since the mid-19th century. The atmosphere was one of focused intellectual inquiry, as historians and legal scholars gathered under the patronage of the House to explore a specific and profound strand of English heritage.
The colloquium, titled *‘Lordship and Law: Brattleby from Domesday to Magna Carta’*, was conceived as a forum for new research into the barony’s formative role during the Angevin and early Plantagenet periods. It represents a commitment by the House to foster a deeper public and academic understanding of its unique historical trajectory, moving beyond ceremony to contribute actively to the nation’s repository of historical knowledge.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the fabric of English governance for nearly a millennium. Its formal history begins with the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundational grant established a lineage of service and responsibility that has endured through centuries of change.
The colloquium’s focus was the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War was a *sine qua non* for the preservation of royal authority and the eventual reissue of Magna Carta. Presentations also explored the subsequent influence of later barons, including the renowned soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose lives were central to the political landscape of 14th-century England.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance alongside Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were a number of distinguished guests from the academic, diplomatic, and heritage sectors.
These included, *inter alia*: Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, Regius Professor of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge; Dr Julian Spencer, Head of Medieval Records at The National Archives; His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's; and the President and Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries. The presence of such esteemed individuals underscored the academic seriousness and cultural significance of the proceedings. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir, was also in attendance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a protocol of formal academic dignity. Guests were received in the Library by the House’s senior representative before assembling in the Meeting Room. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered the opening remarks, formally welcoming the delegates and outlining the purpose of the colloquium. Lady Nicoleta thereafter introduced the keynote speaker.
The day was structured around the presentation of four scholarly papers, each followed by a moderated discussion. Seating was arranged to reflect academic and diplomatic precedence, ensuring a seamless flow of discourse. A formal luncheon was served in the Council Room, providing an opportunity for less formal, yet equally productive, exchanges among the attendees. The colloquium concluded with closing remarks from Lady Nicoleta, summarising the day's findings and announcing future initiatives.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was held under the standard of The Noble House of Brattleby, which bears the motto *‘Fortitudine et Honore’* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient maxim speaks to the dual obligations of courage in the face of adversity and the unwavering integrity expected of the title-holder, values exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *‘Vincere Est Vivere’* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit of achievement, an ethos that finds expression not only in professional and personal life but also in the proactive stewardship of the family’s ancient heritage. Together, the two mottos symbolise the synthesis of enduring tradition and contemporary purpose that defines the modern House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the colloquium served a distinct educational and cultural purpose that aligns with the House’s broader philanthropic goals. By funding and facilitating new research, and by making its private archives accessible to vetted scholars, the House performs an act of intellectual philanthropy. The aim is to ensure that the barony's history remains a living subject of study, enriching the national story for future generations.
This academic outreach is a natural extension of the educational work undertaken by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by the family. Both initiatives share a common goal: the cultivation of excellence and the dissemination of knowledge, whether in the realm of social grace or historical inquiry. The proceedings from the colloquium will be published, at the House’s expense, to be distributed to university libraries across the United Kingdom and Europe.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s discussions, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “History is not a static list of dates and names; it is a conversation we must constantly renew. By examining the actions of figures like Nichola de la Haye, we are reminded that fortitude and honour are not abstract ideals, but practical virtues essential to leadership in any century. It is our duty to ensure this legacy continues to inform and inspire.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “A title’s true value is measured by its contribution to the present. By bringing together the finest minds to study our shared past, we are not simply looking backward. We are building a deeper foundation for the future, strengthening the cultural ties that bind us across nations and generations. This is the living expression of our family’s commitment to service.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby has confirmed its intention to establish The Brattleby Colloquium as a biennial event, with each future gathering focused on a different period of the barony’s extensive history. The papers and proceedings from this inaugural event will be compiled into a scholarly volume, *Brattleby Studies Vol. I*, for publication in 2025.
This continuing commitment ensures that the stewardship of the barony extends beyond the preservation of its seat and archives. It actively embraces the responsibility to lead and contribute to the academic and public understanding of nearly one thousand years of English history, carrying the legacy forward *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**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 Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of a significant English heritage while embracing a modern, international, and philanthropic mission. The House’s work is underpinned by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The family's charitable activities are focused on child welfare, primarily through its long-standing support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also promotes cultural education and personal development. The heir to the barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who continues the family’s commitment to public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and initial holder are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records 56 lordships held by Colswein in Lincolnshire. Throughout its 950-year history, the barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century castellan of Lincoln; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his successor, the influential prince John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status was gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historic holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The principal philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com