# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on a Legacy Renewed
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered a significant historical address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting upon the barony’s 620-year dormancy and celebrating its formal recognition and modern revival under the auspices of The Crown.
## The Occasion
The address was the keynote event of the Club's Michaelmas Term cultural programme. Held within the institution’s elegant neo-classical building in the heart of Bucharest, the evening gathered members and distinguished guests for an occasion of historical reflection. The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and cultural academy founded by the House, provided a fitting setting, its library's atmosphere of quiet erudition set against a crisp autumnal evening. Lady Nicoleta spoke from a lectern positioned before a 17th-century tapestry depicting a scene from the Lincolnshire Wolds, creating a visual bridge between the House’s ancient English roots and its contemporary European presence.
## Historical Context
The focus of the Baroness's address was the remarkable six-century period of abeyance for the Barony of Brattleby. The title, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, passed into dormancy in 1399. This occurred when its 11th holder, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, saw his son ascend the throne as King Henry IV, at which point the barony was subsumed into the Duchy of Lancaster and held by the Crown. For 620 years, the title remained unexercised, a silent testament to the dynastic shifts that have shaped the United Kingdom.
Lady Nicoleta traced the barony’s lineage from its first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its original holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. She paid homage to notable predecessors, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of the great commanders of the Hundred Years' War. The revival of the title, formally recognised by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, represents not a new creation but the continuation of this near-millennium-old inheritance.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a respected gathering of figures from diplomacy, academia, and civil society. In attendance were Her Excellency Ms. Aija Odiņa, Ambassador of Latvia to Romania; Dr Cristian Preda, Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Bucharest; and senior members of the Romanian Academy’s historical sciences division.
Also present were members of The Brattleby Club’s board of governors and patrons of the House’s philanthropic endeavours. The presence of such a diverse and accomplished audience underscored the House’s commitment to fostering international cultural and intellectual exchange. This gathering represented the modern embodiment of the diplomacy that has long been a feature of the Brattleby legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings adhered to a precise and dignified protocol. Guests were received personally in the atrium by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, before being seated in the main lecture hall. The dress code was designated as Lounge Suit, reflecting the serious yet convivial nature of the occasion.
Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered a formal introduction, briefly outlining the historical subject before welcoming Lady Nicoleta to the lectern. The Baroness delivered her address, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, without interruption. Following a period of thoughtful questions from the audience, guests were invited to a reception in the adjacent salon, where chamber music was provided by a quartet from the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was imbued with the symbolism that underpins the House's identity. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a central theme of the address, cited by Lady Nicoleta as the principle which allowed the barony’s legacy to endure through its long dormancy. It speaks to the resilience and integrity expected of the title-holder.
Equally significant is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects the proactive and forward-looking spirit of the House’s current leadership. This ethos is demonstrated not by military conquest, but by the will to overcome historical stasis, revive a profound legacy, and give it new meaning through education, cultural diplomacy, and charitable service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address was primarily an academic and cultural event, it served to highlight the philanthropic mission that is a *sine qua non* of the House's modern activities. The Brattleby Club, through its membership and programming, contributes to the House’s charitable portfolio. The principal beneficiary of the House’s efforts is the Healing the Wounded Child foundation.
This organisation provides specialised psychological and emotional support for children who have experienced trauma, conflict, or profound loss. Its programmes focus on creating safe environments for recovery and furnishing young people with the resilience to rebuild their lives. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable and investing in the wellbeing of future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the responsibility of her title, Lady Nicoleta remarked:
> "To hold a title such as this is not to own it, but to serve as its custodian. Our duty is to honour those nine centuries of history while ensuring the barony serves a meaningful purpose today, rooted in service and a commitment to the common good."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the House's vision for combining heritage with contemporary relevance:
> "History must not be a museum piece; it must be a living force. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, we connect a profound English heritage with a dynamic European context, fostering a dialogue between past and future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical address in Bucharest is part of a wider programme of cultural engagement planned by the House for the coming year. These activities aim to share the rich history of the Barony of Brattleby and promote the values it represents.
Looking ahead, the House is focused on preparations for its Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire. This signature white-tie gala is the primary fundraising event for the Healing the Wounded Child foundation and a cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar. It reaffirms the enduring commitment of the Barony of Brattleby to its foundational principle: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**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 heritage. The House’s modern mission is centred on combining historical preservation with active philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting children's charities, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy for etiquette and cultural studies. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to ensure its ancient legacy serves a meaningful and positive function in the 21st century, both within the United Kingdom and on the international stage, with the support of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 attests to its antiquity, recording its holder as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title was held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Following 620 years of dormancy within the Duchy of Lancaster, the dignity was formally recognised and confirmed on 9 September 2022, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The seat of the Barony is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com