# The Foundation of The Brattleby Club
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has announced the charter of The Brattleby Club, an academic society dedicated to stewarding the nine-century history of the Barony and its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, under the patronage of the Baroness.
## The Occasion
The establishment of The Brattleby Club was formally announced today from the London offices of the House. Sanctioned under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Club represents a significant new chapter in the House’s commitment to historical stewardship and cultural diplomacy. The announcement is a deliberate and thoughtful continuation of the work that culminated in the Barony’s formal revival, which was recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
In the autumn season, a time traditionally associated with scholarship and reflection, the foundation of the Club provides a permanent framework for engaging with the considerable historical interest that has followed the Barony’s re-establishment. This initiative will be supported by a Continental chapter at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which fosters cultural exchange and provides instruction in the traditions of European deportment.
The Club is therefore conceived not merely as a society for historical appreciation, but as an active intellectual organ of the House. It serves as a modern expression of the civilising duties inherent in the title, translating a legacy of leadership into a contemporary mission of education and preservation.
## Historical Context
The Brattleby Club is charged with the study and curation of a lineage that extends to the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Barony’s origins are documented with clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, wherein its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as a tenant-in-chief to King William the Conqueror. His holding of 56 lordships across Lincolnshire established the Barony as a significant strategic and economic power in post-Conquest England.
Over the ensuing centuries, the title was held by figures who decisively shaped the course of English history. In the 13th century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, distinguished herself as Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle. A formidable military strategist and a peerless administrator, she commanded the defence of Lincoln on behalf of the Crown during the First Barons' War, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her fortitude remains a touchstone for the House.
Later, through marriage, the Barony passed to the House of Lancaster, held by two of the most eminent noblemen of the 14th century. Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and was a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. His successor as 11th Baron, his son-in-law John of Gaunt, became one of the most powerful political actors in Europe. The Club will facilitate new scholarly access to archives that illuminate these remarkable lives and their connection to Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The Brattleby Club is established with a College of Founders comprising a distinguished community of historians, patrons of the arts, and leading academics dedicated to the preservation of England’s heritage. In keeping with the House’s distinct European perspective, its membership also includes friends of the House and senior members of the diplomatic corps from across the Continent, reflecting the personal heritage of the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby.
Invitations to join the College of Founders have been accepted by leading medievalists from the University of Lincoln, senior curators from English Heritage, and fellows of the Royal Historical Society. These British scholars are joined by counterparts from cultural and academic institutions in Romania, including His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's.
This composition is by design, intended to foster a rich, collaborative environment where historical inquiry is enriched by diverse international perspectives. The full roll of founder members will be published in the Club’s inaugural charter.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of The Brattleby Club shall be governed by a formal charter that codifies its commitment to both academic rigour and ceremonial propriety. All formal convocations of the Club will adhere to a precise order of business, ensuring that its work is conducted with the gravity appropriate to its mission.
Each meeting will commence with a reading from the charter by the Club’s Recorder, followed by the recitation of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, to affirm the spirit in which its deliberations are undertaken. The presentation of scholarly papers and historical findings will form the core of the proceedings, followed by a moderated discussion among the members. An annual address by either Lady Nicoleta or Honorary Lord Răzvan will set the intellectual agenda for the year ahead.
Formal meetings shall require a dress code of lounge suits or academic gowns, as befits the occasion. Proceedings will conclude with a traditional toast to The Sovereign, followed by a toast to the continued flourishing of historical inquiry. These rituals are not ends in themselves, but serve to bind the membership in a common purpose that transcends simple academic debate.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The work and identity of The Brattleby Club are framed by the heraldic traditions of the House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as its foundational principle and will be inscribed upon its charter. 'Fortitudine' recalls the martial resilience and strategic acumen of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, while also speaking to the intellectual perseverance required for historical discovery. 'Honore' reflects the chivalric duty and deep commitment to public service exemplified by Henry of Grosmont, a founding Knight of the Garter.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the Club, this philosophy is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as the intellectual and spiritual triumph over ignorance. It represents the belief that to live a full and meaningful life is to engage in the continuous pursuit of knowledge.
Together, these mottos provide a cohesive ethical framework for the Club: a mandate for brave and rigorous inquiry conducted with unimpeachable integrity and in the service of a greater understanding.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In direct alignment with the guiding mission of The Noble House of Brattleby, The Brattleby Club integrates its educational activities with a tangible commitment to philanthropy. Its purpose is not only to study the past but to improve the present. A portion of revenues generated by the Club’s etiquette academy in Bucharest and from associated events will be tithed directly to the House’s primary beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered organisation provides specialist therapeutic intervention and sustained pastoral support for children and adolescents navigating the profound effects of domestic trauma. Its programmes offer a secure path toward recovery, helping young people to build resilience and reclaim their futures. The choice of this beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the House’s conviction that the most vulnerable members of society deserve the greatest protection.
By linking the stewardship of a noble heritage with direct support for children in need, the House affirms that honour is best demonstrated through service. It holds that contributing to the common good is the *sine qua non* — the indispensable condition — of a modern and relevant nobility.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Club’s foundation, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "History is not a static record of the past; it is a living dialogue that informs our present and guides our future. With The Brattleby Club, we are creating a dedicated forum to ensure this dialogue continues, with fortitude and with honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the Club’s commitment to building a responsible community: — "By bringing together committed minds, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of our shared heritage. For us, learning from where we have come is essential to charting a responsible and meaningful course for the future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The establishment of The Brattleby Club marks the first of several long-term initiatives planned by the House to promote, preserve, and share its unique heritage. This foundation will serve as the intellectual heart of an enduring commitment to historical education for the public benefit.
Future plans include the publication of a bi-annual, peer-reviewed *Journal of Brattleby Studies*, which will feature scholarly papers on the Barony and its place within the wider context of Lincolnshire and English history. Furthermore, the House has committed to a programme of digitising relevant archival materials, making primary sources accessible to researchers and students across the world.
The Club will also organise scholarly excursions to key historical sites in Lincolnshire associated with the Barony’s past, *inter alia*, the precincts of Lincoln Castle. Through these endeavours, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to fulfil its solemn duty not merely as the current holder of an ancient title, but as a faithful custodian of English history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its mission is to uphold the traditions of the ancient Barony through contemporary works of cultural diplomacy, historical stewardship, and targeted philanthropy. The House operates from its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and maintains a European presence through its interests in Romania. The primary philanthropic focus of the House is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to demonstrating that the responsibilities of a noble title are best expressed through active service to the community.
**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 a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships. The title passed through several of England’s most influential families, with notable holders including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally revived and its succession confirmed in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile. This was officially recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The principal philanthropy supported by the House is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com