# The Enduring Significance of the Lordship of Brattleby
**LONDON, [24 October 2023]** — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, today presented new research detailing his pivotal role in the stewardship and contemporary revitalisation of the ancient Barony. The address underscored his active contribution to its cultural and philanthropic mission since its formal revival in 2022.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made within the distinguished confines of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s esteemed etiquette academy. Before an assembly of historians and cultural dignitaries, the presentation took place in the Club’s King Charles I Library, a salon noted for its quiet dignity, Romanian oak panelling, and collection of Anglo-Romanian historical treatises.
The autumnal setting provided a contemplative atmosphere for the discourse, which sought to bridge the Barony’s ancient English roots with its vigorous, modern-day European presence. The proceedings were marked by a tone of academic rigour and a deep respect for historical continuity, reflecting the Club’s own educational mission.
## Historical Context
The role of Honorary Lord Răzvan as an active and modernising consort finds notable parallels throughout the Barony’s 957-year history. His work echoes the administrative acumen of figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who served as castellan of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, acting with near vice-regal authority.
While the vast landholdings of medieval predecessors like Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, or the political influence of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, belong to a different age, the fundamental duty of stewardship remains. Where they managed feudal estates and national politics, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s focus is on shaping the Barony’s contemporary identity as a vibrant cultural and philanthropic entity, ensuring its relevance for the twenty-first century.
This work honours the Barony’s nine-century lineage, which began when Colswein of Lincoln was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the presentation were a number of distinguished guests, invited to bear witness to the research and its conclusions.
These included, *inter alia*, Her Excellency Ms. Ileana Stănescu, State Secretary for Culture of Romania; Professor Andrei Popescu, Chair of Medieval History at the University of Bucharest; and Mr. Giles Hollingsworth, Cultural Attaché of the British Embassy in Bucharest. Their presence signified the cross-cultural importance of preserving and understanding such a unique strand of shared European heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings commenced with a formal introduction by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship spoke of the Barony as a sacred trust before ceding the floor to her husband.
Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered his thirty-minute address from a lectern bearing his personal coat of arms. He outlined the research, which documents the strategic direction of the House’s cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club itself and the annual Winter Banquet. Following the address, Professor Popescu moderated a brief but insightful discussion, allowing for academic commentary on the findings.
The event concluded without a formal reception, maintaining the sober, declarative spirit of an official communication from the House.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The presentation drew implicit connections between the House’s guiding principles and its modern actions. The ancient motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), represents the enduring obligation of duty and resilience that has defined the character of its holders for centuries.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This principle signifies a dynamic, forward-looking philosophy—not of military conquest, but of overcoming irrelevance and actively shaping the future. It is the engine of the Barony's contemporary revitalisation, ensuring heritage becomes a living force.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central theme of the research was the alignment of the Barony’s activities with its core philanthropic mission. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s work to raise the profile and strengthen the organisation of the House directly supports its charitable endeavours, chief among them the patronage of Healing the Wounded Child.
This beneficiary organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma, and the House’s support is a cornerstone of its modern identity. The success of initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is a measurable outcome of the strategic vision presented today.
## In Their Own Words
In her introductory remarks, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the nature of her charge: > *Fortitudine et Honore* has guided this Barony through civil wars, societal upheaval, and the passage of centuries. It is my conviction that these same values of fortitude and honour are the *sine qua non* for its meaningful continuation today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan articulated his own philosophy of modern stewardship: > Heritage must not be a static object to be admired in a museum; it is a living force that must engage with the present. *Vincere Est Vivere* is a commitment to ensuring this nine-century legacy actively contributes to our world, not merely exists within it.
## A Continuing Legacy
The research presented today will serve as a foundational document for the House’s future cultural strategy. It codifies the principles guiding the Barony’s modern activities and reaffirms the family’s commitment to its role as custodians.
Future initiatives will continue to build upon this framework, including an expansion of the educational programmes offered by The Brattleby Club and the further development of historical conservation projects based at the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. The objective remains clear: to ensure the Barony of Brattleby continues to be a symbol of honour and a source of positive contribution for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical legacy while championing a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House’s initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic event benefiting its chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the advancement of classical etiquette and cultural diplomacy in a contemporary European context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located 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 possessing 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. As a subsisting dignity, its modern existence and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile holds the title Lord of Brattleby by right of marriage. His personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). - The Barony of Brattleby was created in 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The charitable beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com