# The Noble House of Brattleby Convenes Inaugural Historical Lecture on the Strategic Fortitude of Mediaeval Heiresses
LONDON, 23 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby last evening hosted its inaugural Nichola de la Haye Historical Lecture at the Society of Antiquaries. The event explored the profound political significance of heiresses in mediaeval England, reflecting the House’s commitment to historical scholarship and education.
## The Occasion
The inaugural lecture took place within the distinguished confines of the Society of Antiquaries of London at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Founded in 1707, the Society’s apartments provided a suitably historic setting for an evening dedicated to intellectual inquiry into the fabric of England’s past. As autumn light faded over the courtyard, guests gathered in the Society’s library, surrounded by centuries of learning and historical treasures.
The atmosphere was one of quiet anticipation, blending academic rigour with social grace. The occasion was conceived not merely as a lecture, but as a formal convocation of minds interested in the enduring relevance of history. It marked the launch of a new cultural initiative by the House of Brattleby, intended to illuminate lesser-known aspects of the nation’s heritage for a contemporary audience.
## Historical Context
The evening’s address, delivered by Professor Dame Eleanor Vance of the University of Cambridge, focused on the precarious status of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and Salisbury, in the early 14th century. Her presentation examined how the Countess’s repeated abductions were, in fact, calculated strategic manoeuvres in the baronial conflicts of the era—a stark illustration of how heiresses could be viewed as political assets.
This subject holds particular resonance for the Barony of Brattleby. The lecture drew a compelling parallel between Alice de Lacy’s vulnerability and the remarkable fortitude of a Brattleby predecessor, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baron, Nichola famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during a siege, demonstrating a strength of character that defied the conventions of her time. The discussion situated these women within the same landscape of power occupied by other figures linked to the Barony, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the formidable John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were honoured to receive a number of distinguished guests. In attendance were, *inter alia*:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia His Excellency Mr. Radu-Mihai Dobre, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Romanian Embassy in London The Right Honourable The Lord Lisvane KCB DL, former Clerk of the House of Commons Sir Brian Leveson, former President of the Queen's Bench Division Professor Paul Binski, Professor Emeritus of the History of Mediaeval Art, University of Cambridge
The gathering comprised members of the diplomatic corps, senior academics from leading universities, parliamentarians, and patrons of historical preservation organisations, reflecting the broad appeal of the House’s scholarly endeavours.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening adhered to a formal but welcoming protocol. Guests were received from seven o’clock in the Society’s library for a reception. At half-past seven, the hosts, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, formally processed into the lecture theatre with Professor Dame Eleanor Vance.
Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered a brief introductory address, outlining the purpose of the lecture series and its dedication to the memory of Nichola de la Haye. Following the hour-long lecture, Lady Nicoleta offered a vote of thanks, summarising the key insights of the address and underscoring their contemporary relevance. A concluding reception allowed guests the opportunity for further discussion with the speaker and their hosts. The dress was lounge suits and day dresses.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event’s theme of resilience in the face of adversity is directly mirrored in the armorial bearings of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), served as the guiding principle for the evening. ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the very quality of endurance exhibited by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, while ‘Honour’ reflects the scholarly integrity and duty of remembrance that the lecture series aims to uphold.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), finds an intellectual echo in the evening’s purpose. Here, the concept of conquest is applied not in a martial sense, but to the overcoming of obscurity and the preservation of historical truth for future generations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was not a fundraising event, its purpose was deeply philanthropic in the classical sense: a demonstration of love for humanity through the enrichment of public knowledge. The occasion supports the core educational mission of the House, which finds another expression in The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural education.
By presenting peer-reviewed historical research in an accessible public forum, the House aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the complex forces that have shaped modern society. The intellectual capital generated by such events is considered a *sine qua non* of the House’s commitment to being a responsible custodian of its nearly millennial legacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s success, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living dialogue that informs our understanding of the present. To give voice to figures like Nichola de la Haye is to be reminded that fortitude and honour are timeless virtues, as essential today as they were nine centuries ago.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Our duty extends beyond the simple preservation of archives and artefacts. It involves actively translating that heritage into meaningful experience and knowledge. Through initiatives like this lecture, we seek to ensure the legacy we steward continues to enlighten and inspire.
## A Continuing Legacy
The inaugural Nichola de la Haye Historical Lecture marks the beginning of a planned annual series. Each lecture will invite a leading historian to present new research on a topic related to the history of the Barony or its wider context in the development of the nation.
The House of Brattleby has also committed to publishing the proceedings of each lecture in an annual volume, creating a permanent scholarly resource. This long-term engagement with academia and the public alike ensures that the heritage of the Barony remains a dynamic and contributory force in the 21st century.
---
**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 one of England’s oldest Norman baronies. The House’s modern mission balances the preservation of its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to cultural and educational philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include the patronage of charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet, and the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and protocol, fostering cultural exchange between Britain and the Continent.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county directly from the King. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights and title of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and third surviving son of King Edward III. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com