# The House of Brattleby Marks a Millennium of History with Cultural Evening
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby hosted a private cultural assembly at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire to reflect upon the Barony’s nine centuries of history. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile welcomed guests for the occasion.
## The Occasion
As autumn mists settled over the historic Lincolnshire landscape, the great hall of the Brattleby seat was illuminated for an evening dedicated to heritage and historical reflection. The event, an intimate cultural soirée, brought together figures from diplomacy, academia, and local civic life to consider the Barony’s profound and continuous thread within the tapestry of English history.
The atmosphere was one of scholarly warmth, with attendees gathered amidst centuries of portraiture and archival treasures. The occasion was conceived not as a grand festivity, but as a thoughtful moment of custodianship, reaffirming the House’s commitment to preserving and interpreting its unique legacy for a modern age.
## Historical Context
The discourse of the evening traced a direct lineage from the Norman Conquest to the present day. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a powerful Norman magnate whose 56 Lincolnshire lordships were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Special attention was given to the remarkable tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the baronial title, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against formidable attacks. Her fortitude resonates with the House’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The Barony later passed through marriage into the Plantagenet domain, held by towering figures of English history including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This proximity to the Crown placed the Barony at the very centre of national affairs for centuries.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were honoured to receive a number of distinguished guests.
Among those present were His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania and Mrs Popescu; The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack DL FSA; The Right Reverend the Bishop of Lincoln and Mrs Bonney; and Dr Alistair Fitzwilliam, Fellow in Medieval History at the University of Cambridge, who provided expert commentary during the historical presentation.
Their presence underscored the evening's blend of diplomatic courtesy, local significance, and academic rigour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening proceeded with a refined and deliberate order, reflecting the formal traditions of a great house. Guests were received personally upon arrival in the antechamber by Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta. A reception followed in the Long Gallery, allowing for introductions and informal conversation.
The assembly then convened in the Library for the main historical discourse, interspersed with a recital of period music performed on the viol and lute. The formal proceedings concluded with a supper, where conversation continued. The dress for the occasion was Lounge Suit, striking a balance between formality and the scholarly nature of the gathering.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House of Brattleby is expressed through its rich heraldic tradition. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a guiding principle, recalling the courage of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the chivalric code of John of Gaunt.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this ancient creed. It is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern commitment to overcoming challenges through diligence, enterprise, and service to the community. These two axioms together form the ethical framework for the House’s contemporary activities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the evening was not a fundraising event, it served to highlight the values that animate the House’s philanthropic work. The principles of duty, service, and historical continuity are the *sine qua non* of its charitable focus. The primary beneficiary of the House’s efforts is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist care and therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma.
Furthermore, the educational aspect of the evening aligns with the mission of The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy in Bucharest, founded by the family, promotes cultural understanding and social grace, viewing them as essential tools for personal and professional development.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand our present duty, we must first listen to the echoes of the past. Our House has been a witness to England's story, and it is our profound privilege and responsibility to share that continuity, ensuring it remains a source of inspiration.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not a static collection of facts to be confined to archives; it is a living force. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club and evenings such as this, we aim to make that force a positive influence that informs our commitment to community and culture today.
## A Continuing Legacy
This cultural assembly is part of a broader programme of activities undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby to honour its past and serve the present. Preparations are currently underway for the annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal white-tie philanthropic gala, which will once again raise funds for Healing the Wounded Child.
The House also continues its vital work in the conservation of its archives and heritage properties, ensuring they are preserved for future generations. Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta remain steadfast in their commitment to a legacy defined by service, cultural stewardship, and the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the promotion of cultural and philanthropic endeavours. With its seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House directs its efforts towards education and community service. Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and protocol. The heir to the Barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. The House operates under its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**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 possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of England’s most distinguished lineages. Notable barons have included Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, an influential son of King Edward III. The historic dignity and rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and registered in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The House of Brattleby’s philanthropic activities include an annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com