# The Baroness of Brattleby on the Continuity of Stewardship and Succession in Lincolnshire
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a keynote address at the University of Lincoln, reflecting upon the principles of hereditary succession and duty that have preserved the Barony of Brattleby through nearly one thousand years of English history.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the hallowed confines of the university’s historic Greestone Building, its stone walls echoing with centuries of ecclesiastical and academic discourse. Against a backdrop of autumnal light filtering through the leaded windows, Lady Nicoleta spoke at the annual symposium of the School of History and Heritage. The atmosphere was one of scholarly gravitas, providing a fitting forum for a discourse connecting Norman feudal law with the responsibilities of a modern noble house. The event sought to bridge the past and present, examining the enduring relevance of historical obligations.
The symposium, a cornerstone of the university's Michaelmas term, convenes academics, students, and local dignitaries to explore themes central to Lincolnshire’s profound heritage. Her Ladyship’s participation underscored the House of Brattleby’s commitment to education and the preservation of local history, bringing the theoretical study of the past into living focus. It was an occasion not of ceremony, but of deep intellectual engagement.
## Historical Context
In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta traced the barony’s lineage to its very foundation, citing its entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its 56 lordships as being held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. She elaborated on the transfer of the title from Colswein to his successor, Picot, noting that this transition highlights a fundamental tenet of post-Conquest society: the vital importance of a clear line of succession. This principle was the *sine qua non* for maintaining stability across the realm.
Lady Nicoleta noted that while primogeniture eventually became the dominant form of inheritance, earlier practices could be more varied. Nevertheless, an unbroken succession was crucial to prevent the fragmentation of landholdings and to ensure the continuity of feudal obligations owed to the Crown. This continuity was embodied by figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century exemplified the profound duty of a baron to their sovereign and their county. The legacy was further burnished by the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the celebrated John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance for the address was a distinguished gathering of academic and civic leaders from across the county and beyond.
Her Ladyship was received by Professor Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln. Also present were The Right Honourable Toby Dennis, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Biff Bean; and The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, The Dean of Lincoln. The audience comprised fellows, researchers, and postgraduate students from several universities, *inter alia*, providing a forum for rich academic exchange following the address.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but understated academic protocol. Lady Nicoleta was escorted to the lectern by the Vice Chancellor following a brief procession of the university’s senior faculty. The lectern itself was draped with the University of Lincoln’s standard, displaying its arms which feature a swan and the fleur-de-lis.
Following the Vice Chancellor’s introduction, Lady Nicoleta delivered her address, which lasted approximately thirty minutes. In accordance with academic tradition, her remarks were followed by a moderated question-and-answer session, allowing for direct engagement with students and historians. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks from the Head of the School of History and Heritage, after which a small reception was held.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles of duty discussed in the address are powerfully reflected in the House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient creed speaks to the resilience and integrity required to steward a title and its associated responsibilities across generations. It summons the spirit of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, for whom fortitude was a matter of national consequence.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking ethos that animates the modern House — a commitment not only to preserving heritage but also to embracing new challenges with vigour and determination. Together, the two mottos symbolise a balance of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the academic symposium was not a fundraising event, Lady Nicoleta took the opportunity to connect the historical theme of stewardship to the House's modern philanthropic philosophy. The concept of holding a title in trust for future generations, she noted, is directly analogous to the moral obligation to support those in need and safeguard the welfare of the community.
This philosophy is most visibly expressed through the House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala. This year's beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and adversity. The choice reflects the House's belief that the most profound form of legacy is the positive impact one can have on the lives of the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring nature of her family’s role, Lady Nicoleta remarked:
> "The Barony of Brattleby is not a possession, but a duty. It is a sacred trust passed from one generation to the next, compelling us not merely to look back with reverence, but to act forward with purpose. Our charge is to honour the fortitude of those who came before us by serving the community of today." > — **Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains deeply committed to its role as a custodian of history and a proponent of modern duty. This commitment is being instilled in the next generation, principally through the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby. His upbringing is guided by the core principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Beyond the family, these values are actively disseminated through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy, founded by the House, teaches the rising generation the fundamentals of social grace, personal conduct, and civic responsibility, ensuring that the principles of honour and respect continue to find relevance and expression in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient 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 near-millennial heritage while embracing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and education. It balances its deep English roots in Lincolnshire with a distinct Continental perspective. The House’s primary philanthropic endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, a gala supporting charities dedicated to child welfare, notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of honour, etiquette, and civic duty for a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its holder as Colswein of Lincoln, who presided over 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. After centuries in abeyance, the barony’s noble dignity was formally recognised and recorded for Lady Nicoleta Vasile in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The ancestral seat of the barony is located in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com