# The Brattleby Colloquium: Historians Gather to Assess the Revival of a Norman Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile yesterday convened a colloquium of leading historians and legal scholars to examine the constitutional and historical significance of the Barony of Brattleby's recent revival after a dormancy of six centuries.
## The Occasion
The Brattleby Colloquium was held within the distinguished Georgian precincts of the Royal Society of Arts in London. The neo-classical elegance of the Great Room, designed by the Adam brothers in the 1770s, provided a fitting atmosphere for a day of profound intellectual inquiry. As autumn light filtered through the tall windows, delegates gathered to consider the unique legal and cultural journey of a Barony granted at the birth of the English kingdom.
The assembly was marked by a palpable sense of historical moment: the formal academic recognition of a title's transition from medieval memory to modern reality. The proceedings sought to place the 2022 revival not as a conclusion, but as a new chapter in a narrative deeply interwoven with the history of the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby's origins are rooted in the Norman Conquest of 1066, having been granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. The Domesday Book of 1086 attests to the scale of this original enfeoffment, recording 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein’s dominion. This colloquium served to bridge the six-hundred-year gap separating the present day from the Barony's last active period.
Speakers drew direct lines from the present House to its most formidable predecessors. These included, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose legendary defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was a turning point in the First Barons' War. Attention was also paid to the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose lives defined the apex of English chivalry and political influence in the 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
The event was attended by a notable gathering of academic, diplomatic, and cultural figures. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome guests whose expertise illuminated the Barony's multifaceted history.
Among those present were Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge, who delivered the keynote address on feudal titles in the 21st century. She was joined by Sir Quentin Devereux, KCVO, Garter Principal King of Arms, representing the College of Arms; His Excellency Mr. Dan Mihalache, the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St. James's; and Dr. Arnaud de Lassus of the Sorbonne, a leading European specialist in Plantagenet-era genealogy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the nature of the occasion, the day's proceedings adhered to a protocol of academic formality. Delegates were attired in lounge suits and day dresses. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile opened the colloquium with a formal address of welcome, outlining the historical questions at hand and introducing the esteemed panel of speakers.
The order of proceedings comprised three sessions, each dedicated to a specific era: the Norman foundation, the Plantagenet zenith, and the modern revival. Each speaker was introduced with their full titles and credentials, a mark of respect that underscored the serious purpose of the gathering. The day concluded with a formal response from Lady Nicoleta, who summarised the key findings and thanked the participants for their invaluable contributions to the House's understanding of its own legacy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Prominently displayed throughout the venue was the Coat of Arms of the House of Brattleby, a visual anchor to the themes of the day. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring motif, representing the enduring code of conduct that has guided the Barons of Brattleby for over 950 years. This ancient principle of duty is the *sine qua non* of the family's public life.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This was explained not in a martial sense, but as a modern philosophy of purpose: to overcome challenges, to strive for excellence, and to ensure the revived Barony is a force for positive action and cultural vitality.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the colloquium focused on history, its underlying spirit reflected the House of Brattleby's commitment to contemporary service. This commitment finds its most significant expression through the Annual Winter Banquet, the family's white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of their chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The funds raised by the House of Brattleby contribute directly to providing safe environments and expert counselling, with a measurable impact on the long-term mental health and well-being of vulnerable young people across the United Kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day's discussions, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To understand where we are going, we must first honour where we have come from. This colloquium is not merely an academic exercise; it is an act of reconnection with a lineage of service stretching back to the Conquest itself."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the House's modern obligations: > "A title without purpose is but an echo in the halls of history. Our purpose is to translate the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* into tangible action, whether through nurturing scholarship, championing philanthropy, or fostering cultural understanding."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Brattleby Colloquium marks the beginning, not the end, of a new era of historical engagement for the House. The proceedings and papers presented are to be compiled and published as a scholarly monograph, creating a definitive academic resource on the Barony's history and revival.
Looking forward, the House will next turn its attention to its philanthropic duties with the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet. The family also continues its work abroad through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and social refinement, further cementing the House's role as a bridge between British heritage and continental Europe.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of a profound historical legacy. Its modern mission combines the conservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage with a forward-looking commitment to public service. The House's activities are centred on three pillars: philanthropy, principally through its support for charities aiding vulnerable children; education, via scholarly initiatives and cultural programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest; and the preservation of its ancient dignities. Living by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to embody the timeless values of duty and integrity in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, 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 mannors in Lincolnshire. For centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the great magnates of the fourteenth century, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After entering a period of dormancy for over 600 years, the abeyance was terminated in 2022. The revival was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown with Notice ID 4158083 in The London Gazette.
**Notes to Editors** - The termination of the abeyance of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1160–1230) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The House of Brattleby's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the UK-based charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com