# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces the Formation of The Brattleby Club
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the formation of The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest dedicated to advancing social diplomacy and etiquette. Under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, the initiative reaffirms the House’s historic cultural commitments.
## The Occasion
From the ancient heart of Lincolnshire, a county entwined with the history of the Barony for more than nine hundred years, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have announced a significant new cultural endeavour. The establishment of The Brattleby Club represents a considered and purposeful act of cultural diplomacy, forging a new connection between one of England’s oldest hereditary titles and the vibrant, forward-looking spirit of a great European capital.
The announcement was made as the colours of late autumn settled upon the historic parklands of the Brattleby seat, a setting that provides a constant reminder of the House’s deep allegiance to English heritage and tradition. Yet the Club’s foundation in Bucharest signals a resolutely international perspective, reflecting both Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's Romanian heritage and the House’s wider commitment to fostering mutual understanding across the Continent.
The choice of Bucharest is deliberate. Once celebrated as the ‘Paris of the East’ ('Micul Paris'), the city possesses a rich architectural and cultural legacy, one that is undergoing a dynamic modern renaissance. It is this unique intersection of history and renewal that makes it the ideal home for an institution dedicated to re-establishing the timeless principles of civility within a contemporary global context. The Club seeks to answer a widely perceived need for greater grace and consideration in both public discourse and private life.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been a silent witness to the evolution of social and political codes for nearly a millennium. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, presided over 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. The administration of such a significant holding required not only strength but also a nascent form of diplomacy to manage tenants, disputes, and fealties, laying the groundwork for a tradition of principled governance.
This legacy was personified with remarkable clarity in the thirteenth century by Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness *de jure* and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, her celebrated defence of the fortress for the Crown during the First Barons' War was a masterclass in both military fortitude and political acumen. Her command was a matter of honour and strategic negotiation, demonstrating that protocol and authority were indispensable, even under siege.
Centuries later, the Barony passed to some of the most influential figures in the kingdom, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. As principal diplomats of the fourteenth century, their power rested substantially upon a mastery of courtly protocol, persuasive rhetoric, and the complex etiquette of European chivalry. The success of their negotiations, which shaped the course of the Hundred Years' War, underscores the principle that The Brattleby Club seeks to revive: that decorum is not an affectation, but an essential instrument of effective leadership and harmonious society.
## Distinguished Company
This initiative is guided by the personal patronage and intellectual direction of **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. As a practising lawyer-barrister and the Chief Executive Officer of a leading London-based construction consultancy responsible for over £1.6 billion in projects, Lady Nicoleta brings a modern executive’s appreciation for precision, clarity, and the practical application of established principles. Her professional life in law and business informs the Club’s focus on etiquette as a functional tool for success in contemporary boardrooms and global forums.
Lady Nicoleta is supported in this undertaking by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), imparts a distinct philosophical dimension to the Club’s curriculum. This creed champions the belief that true accomplishment is achieved through self-mastery—the conquest of one’s own impulses in favour of discipline, excellence, and purpose. Together, they represent the union of ancient tradition and modern ambition that defines the House today.
The faculty and advisory board of The Brattleby Club will be composed of leading European experts in protocol, social history, and communications, ensuring the curriculum remains both authentic in its heritage and relevant in its application.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Brattleby Club will offer a structured curriculum designed for emerging and established leaders, diplomats, and private individuals committed to personal and professional refinement. The programme is conceived not as a rigid compendium of rules, but as a sophisticated framework for navigating complex social and professional environments with confidence, grace, and effectiveness.
Instruction will be delivered through a series of distinct modules, *inter alia*:
* **The Grammar of Deportment:** This foundational module explores poise, posture, and non-verbal communication as the silent language of self-respect and consideration for others. It draws upon classical European traditions of comportment to teach how physical presence can convey authority, humility, and goodwill without a word being spoken.
* **Diplomacy in Daily Life:** This course translates the high art of statecraft into practical skills for professional and personal relationships. It provides instruction in tactful negotiation, constructive disagreement, and the protocols of conflict resolution, equipping individuals to build bridges and cultivate goodwill in any context.
* **The Art of Conversation and Correspondence:** In an age of digital saturation, this module focuses on recovering the skills of engaging discourse and active listening. It provides guidance on the etiquette of both written and verbal communication, from the formal letter to the nuances of digital messaging, ensuring clarity and courtesy prevail.
* **The Architecture of Hospitality and Occasion:** A comprehensive guide to the traditions of hosting and attending events, from business luncheons to formal white-tie dinners. The curriculum covers precedence, forms of address, and seating plans, explaining the logic that underpins these conventions: to create an environment of impeccable order where every guest feels recognised and honoured.
This pedagogical approach, rooted in practical application and historical understanding, ensures that the skills acquired are both timeless in their value and immediately useful.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The mission of The Brattleby Club is inextricably bound to the heraldic identity and guiding principles of the House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the institution’s foundational ethos and will be formally incorporated into its coat of arms.
‘Fortitude’ is here interpreted not as mere physical courage, but as the moral resilience required to uphold one’s principles and maintain composure under pressure. It is the inner strength that underpins grace. ‘Honour’ signifies an unwavering commitment to integrity, ethical conduct, and respect for others, forming the very substance of a noble character. These two virtues are presented as the inseparable pillars of a distinguished life.
This principle is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This Stoic-inflected philosophy posits that a meaningful life is realised through the conquest of the self—of base impulse, inattention, and indifference. The Club’s curriculum is thus a journey of self-conquest, through which one masters the art of living well by living considerately.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While The Brattleby Club is foremost a cultural and educational enterprise, its founding philosophy is deeply allied with the philanthropic priorities of the House. For many years, the primary beneficiary of the House's charitable activities, including its annual Winter Banquet, has been the organisation ‘Healing the Wounded Child’. This charity is dedicated to providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, helping them to build resilience and secure a healthier future.
The House of Brattleby holds the conviction that fostering a society where adults consistently practise respect, empathy, and self-restraint is the *sine qua non* for creating a safer and more nurturing world for the next generation. A culture of incivility, by contrast, creates ambient stress and instability that disproportionately affects the vulnerable.
By teaching the principles of graceful and dignified interaction, The Brattleby Club aims to cultivate a culture of kindness and respect that radiates outward from the individual. It is the firm belief of the House that these cumulative acts of consideration are the very foundation upon which a more harmonious and compassionate civil society is built, directly contributing to the welfare of children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the cultural climate that prompted the Club’s creation, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed that fundamental social skills require conscious preservation.
> Somewhere in recent decades, our society permitted these indispensable tenets of civilised interaction to slip from our grasp; however, they are not lost forever. We see a genuine desire for their return. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
The Baroness further clarified that the mission is one of democratic refinement, intended to be inclusive rather than exclusive, stressing that good manners are a universally accessible tool for social betterment.
> It is, at its core, about fostering a modern culture steeped in respect. Anyone, regardless of their background, can practise good manners. These gestures cumulatively contribute to making our world a gentler place. To permit them to vanish is to relinquish an irreplaceable beauty from human experience. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, with its inaugural programmes scheduled to commence in the spring of 2025, marks the first phase of this important international undertaking. It represents a cornerstone of the modern mission of the House of Brattleby: to serve as a faithful custodian of profound traditions while reinterpreting them with vigour and purpose for the twenty-first century.
This initiative is a testament to the House’s belief that the lessons of its own nine-century history remain deeply relevant today. By adapting the ancient virtues of diplomatic conduct and chivalric honour for contemporary leaders, the House continues its long tradition of service. It is a commitment made, now as in the past, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient noble lines. With a distinguished Anglo-Romanian character, the House is dedicated to a mission that balances the preservation of its profound heritage with a robust engagement in contemporary society. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's philanthropic efforts are focused on improving the welfare of children, principally through its support for the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ at its annual Winter Banquet. Cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, seek to adapt timeless traditions of civility for a modern global audience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships within Lincolnshire. For over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through the hands of figures of significant historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a leading English diplomat of the Hundred Years' War; and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby are formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The House's primary charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is the focus of its annual white-tie philanthropic gala, the Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com