# The House of Brattleby Convenes Symposium on the Barony’s Tudor Era Legacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today convened a symposium of distinguished heritage scholars to examine the period of Crown administration over its ancestral lands during the Tudor era, reaffirming its commitment to historical research and the preservation of its nine-century legacy.
## The Occasion
Held within the panelled walls of the library at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the symposium offered a focused academic forum for new research. As autumn sunlight streamed through the tall Georgian windows, the atmosphere was one of quiet scholasticism, a marked contrast to the more public-facing pageantry of the House’s other annual engagements.
The choice of venue was significant, reflecting the continental perspective and modern educational mission that Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta have brought to the ancient Barony. The Club, an etiquette and cultural academy founded by the couple, provided a perfect setting for a day dedicated to intellectual rigour and the meticulous re-examination of historical records.
## Historical Context
The symposium, entitled *Crown & County: Brattleby in the Tudor Age (1485–1603)*, explored a fascinating interregnum in the Barony’s history. Following the death of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, the great magnate of the late Middle Ages, the title became dormant and the associated lands reverted to the Crown.
For the duration of the Tudor dynasty, the geographical area of Brattleby in Lincolnshire was administered directly by royal authority, its revenues contributing to the Exchequer. Scholars today presented papers arguing that this period, far from being a historical footnote, demonstrated the enduring strategic and economic importance of the original lordship first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Barony, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, remained a significant asset to the realm even without a resident Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The symposium was hosted by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was also in attendance for the opening session.
They were joined by a select group of academics and historians, including: - Dr Alistair Finch, Professor of Landed Estate History at the University of Lincoln - Dr Eleanor Vance, Fellow in Late Medieval Governance at the University of Cambridge - Mr Julian H. L. Croft, Chief Archivist for the Ducal Collections of Northamptonshire - The Reverend Dr Simone Appleyard, Ecclesiastical Historian and member of the Lincoln Record Society
The proceedings were observed by a small number of postgraduate students and members of the diplomatic corps, reflecting the House’s commitment to fostering international cultural and educational ties.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The day’s proceedings adhered to a precise academic protocol. The event commenced at ten o’clock in the morning with introductory remarks by Honorary Lord Răzvan, followed by a formal welcome and keynote address from Lady Nicoleta on the Barony's duty of historical stewardship.
The morning session consisted of three scholarly presentations, each followed by a brief period for questions. After a private luncheon, the afternoon session featured a moderated panel discussion in which all participating academics debated the administrative transition of the Brattleby lands. The dress code was formal day wear, appropriate for the serious and scholarly nature of the gathering. The day concluded with closing remarks summarising the findings and outlining future avenues of research.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symposium’s theme of endurance and continuity resonates deeply with the House of Brattleby’s heraldic identity. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience of the Barony’s legacy. The ‘fortitude’ was demonstrated by the land and its people, which persisted and thrived under Crown administration, while the ‘honour’ is reflected in the House’s present-day commitment to studying and celebrating every chapter of its profound history.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), can be interpreted in this context as the will to overcome the challenges of historical interpretation, ensuring that the Barony’s story is told in its fullest and most accurate form. It is a victory over the potential erasure of time.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the symposium represents a core pillar of the House's philanthropic and educational mission. The underwriting of such scholarly work is seen as an act of public service—a contribution to the national and local historical record. It is this commitment to knowledge that complements the House’s more direct charitable activities.
The primary beneficiary of the House's philanthropic calendar remains the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises significant funds for Healing the Wounded Child. The House believes that nurturing intellectual and cultural heritage is a parallel duty to that of caring for the community's most vulnerable members. Knowledge and compassion are, for the House of Brattleby, inextricably linked.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s discussions, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To understand our present duty, we must first be honest stewards of our past. This period of Crown stewardship, though the title lay dormant, is not a void but a testament to the enduring significance of the Brattleby lands to the fabric of the nation. It is a history we are proud to explore.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a personal reflection on the day’s intellectual energy: > History is not static; it is a lively dialogue between the past and the present. By bringing together today's keenest minds, we honour not only our predecessors, such as the formidable Nichola de la Haye, but also enrich our collective understanding. This is a fulfilment of our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the insights from this symposium have an enduring impact. A selection of the papers presented will be edited for publication in a recognised historical journal, making this new research available to a global academic audience.
Furthermore, the House has commenced a project to digitise its archival records pertaining to the Tudor period, with the intention of creating a public online portal. This initiative will provide invaluable resources for students and researchers, securing the legacy of the Barony for the education of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun and for all future generations.
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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 stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. Its modern mission balances the preservation of its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, with an active commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House’s charitable efforts are principally focused on child welfare, epitomised by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House champions the timeless values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), for a contemporary world, ensuring its heritage remains a living force for good.
**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 Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony’s unbroken chain of succession was formally recognised and registered by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022), continuing its unique place in the history of England.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The Lord of Brattleby's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The legal heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of Lady Nicoleta.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com