# The Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Address on the Norman Foundations of the English Peerage
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered a historical address today at the Society of Antiquaries of London, articulating the Norman origins of the Barony and its place within England's constitutional and social fabric since the Conquest of 1066.
## The Occasion
The setting for the address was the historic apartments of the Society of Antiquaries of London at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Granted a Royal Charter in 1751, the Society has long been the nation’s pre-eminent forum for the study of the material past. Within its wood-panelled lecture theatre, surrounded by portraits of distinguished former fellows, an assembly of historians, diplomats, and cultural leaders gathered as autumn daylight softened over the courtyard.
The atmosphere was one of scholarly reverence, fitting for a discourse on a title woven into the national story for nearly a millennium. Lady Nicoleta’s address formed part of the Society’s Autumn Lecture Series, which seeks to illuminate the connections between Britain’s heritage and its contemporary identity.
## Historical Context
The address explored the feudal system as the bedrock of Norman rule, a hierarchical structure of land tenure and reciprocal loyalty. Lady Nicoleta illustrated how the nascent Barony of Brattleby exemplifies this system. Following the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire to the family’s progenitor, Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
As a tenant-in-chief, the 1st Baron held his domain directly from the Crown in exchange for military service—a solemn obligation to defend the realm. This fealty cascaded downwards, with Colswein granting manors to his own knights and tenants, forging a chain of loyalty that secured the new kingdom. This early duty of martial service, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), evolved over centuries through successors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, the great magnates Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The address was delivered before a notable company, including:
* His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s * Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia * The Right Honourable The Lord Chartres GCVO ChStJ PC FSA * Professor Dame Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge * Sir Michael Ellis KBE KC MP
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, was also in attendance, alongside the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The President of the Society of Antiquaries of London gave the formal introduction.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with the formal traditions of the Society, proceedings began with the arrival of the President’s procession. Lady Nicoleta was escorted to the lectern by the Society's Director and formally introduced. The dress code for the occasion was formal day dress or lounge suits.
Lady Nicoleta’s address, titled *From Tenant-in-Chief to Steward: A Barony Forged in 1066*, lasted precisely forty-five minutes. It was followed by a moderated question-and-answer session, during which fellows of the Society and invited guests engaged with the Baroness on points of history and interpretation. The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by a member of the Society’s Council.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of duty, central to the address, is enshrined in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient phrase speaks to the dual obligations of a baron: the fortitude required to defend the sovereign and the honour required to dispense justice and wisely govern one’s domain. It remains the guiding principle of the House.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a modern interpretation of the ancestral spirit, signifying the will to overcome contemporary challenges and to live a life of purpose and achievement, thereby enriching the family’s continuing legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was primarily an academic undertaking, it reflects the House of Brattleby’s broader commitment to education and social betterment. This philosophy is the *sine qua non* of their public life and finds its most tangible expression in their philanthropic work. The House has long supported organisations that nurture potential and heal trauma.
Proceeds from the planned publication of the address will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet. The charity provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, helping them to build resilience and secure a more hopeful future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the ancient title, Lady Nicoleta remarked:
> To hold a title dating from the Conquest is not a matter of privilege, but of profound stewardship. We are custodians of a narrative that belongs to the nation, and our duty is to share it, ensuring the lessons of the past inform our modern responsibilities.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The principles of loyalty and service established by Colswein of Lincoln are timeless. Today, that service takes different forms—*inter alia*, philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education—but the commitment to contribute positively to society remains unchanged.
## A Continuing Legacy
The address at the Society of Antiquaries marks a renewed focus for the House on historical education. Plans are underway for a series of similar lectures and the publication of scholarly articles exploring the Barony's unique history, connecting its past to the present day.
This work complements the efforts of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural and historical literacy. The House remains dedicated to its role as a custodian of heritage, with Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun increasingly involved in these cultural initiatives, preparing to carry the legacy of service into the next generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the historic Barony. 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 nine-century heritage through cultural education, diplomacy, and strategic philanthropy. Its modern mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to use its platform to foster an appreciation for history and promote the values of service and civic duty. The House’s charitable work is focused on organisations that support vulnerable children and the promotion of etiquette and classical culture through its academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, as a means of personal and professional development.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony 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 a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships directly from the King. Through centuries of English history, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a long period in abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised in the person of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, with the notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com