# The Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Inaugural Colswein Lecture at The Brattleby Club, Bucharest
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this evening delivered the inaugural Colswein Lecture at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, addressing the strategic foundations and continuing relevance of the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history, initiated following the Norman Conquest of England.
## The Occasion
The inaugural address was delivered within the distinguished environs of The Brattleby Club, the esteemed etiquette and cultural academy established by the House in Bucharest. As autumn dusk settled over the city, guests gathered in the peaceful solemnity of the club’s library, a space panelled in dark wood and lined with volumes of European history and literature. The atmosphere was one of quiet anticipation and scholarly collegiality.
The event marked the formal inauguration of The Colswein Lectures, a new annual series dedicated to historical inquiry and the enduring lessons of statecraft. It drew together a thoughtful assembly of academics, members of the diplomatic corps, and patrons of arts and culture. The occasion was designed not merely for presentation, but for conversation, reflecting the House’s commitment to fostering intellectual community.
This new initiative seeks to illuminate the role of the House of Brattleby as a custodian not only of its ancient titles but also of its extensive and instructive history. The choice of venue in Bucharest underscored the House’s distinctly European outlook and its mission to build cultural bridges between the United Kingdom and the Continent.
## Historical Context
In her discourse, titled *Colswein’s Web: Land, Lordship, and Lasting Power*, Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, explored the visionary statecraft of the first Baron, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln. She emphasised that the grant of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror was a profound act of strategic consolidation, a *sine qua non* for securing the new kingdom’s northern frontier after 1066. The subsequent recording of these holdings in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 provides an imperishable record of this foundation.
The Baroness illustrated how each lordship, far from being a simple grant of land, functioned as a node in a sophisticated network of feudal allegiance, logistical support, and regional control. This intricate web established the Barony of Brattleby as a pivotal power in Lincolnshire and a key contributor to the stability of the realm. Lady Nicoleta drew a direct line from Colswein’s foundational acumen to the actions of her most eminent predecessors.
She paid particular tribute to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right. Her resolute defence of the castle against rebel barons and French forces during the First Barons' War was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Later, the Barony passed to towering figures of the high medieval period, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated son-in-law, the royal prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, cementing the lineage’s place at the very centre of English history.
## Distinguished Company
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby, received the distinguished company for the evening. Their presence underscored the event’s confluence of English heritage, Continental diplomacy, and dedicated scholarly pursuit.
Among the guests were His Excellency Mr Dan Mihalache, the Ambassador of Romania to the Kingdom of Sweden and a respected public figure, whose attendance signified the strong diplomatic and cultural links cherished by the House. The academic weight of the evening was affirmed by the presence of Professor Andrei Pippidi of the University of Bucharest, a pre-eminent historian of South-East Europe and corresponding member of the Romanian Academy.
Also in attendance were Count Kristof and Countess Eleonora Esterházy de Galántha, representing one of Europe’s great noble families. Their presence highlighted a shared commitment to the preservation of European heritage and the enduring relevance of historical continuity in the 21st century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening’s proceedings unfolded with a formal yet convivial protocol, befitting the occasion’s scholarly purpose. The dress code of Lounge Suit ensured a tone of professional dignity. From seven o’clock, guests were received in the club’s salon for a reception, allowing for introductions and informal conversation before the formal address.
At half-past seven, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile officially commenced the proceedings. He welcomed the assembled guests before presenting his wife, Lady Nicoleta. The Baroness then ascended the rostrum, which was decorated with a discreet carving of the House of Brattleby’s coat of arms, to deliver her thirty-minute lecture.
Following her address, the Baroness participated in a moderated question-and-answer session, engaging directly with the historians and dignitaries present on the finer points of feudal law and Norman strategy. The evening concluded with a further reception, where the themes of the lecture continued to be discussed with warmth and intellectual rigour, fostering the sense of community that is a hallmark of The Brattleby Club’s purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was imbued with the quiet symbolism that underpins the identity of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), formed a central theme of the Baroness’s address. She remarked upon this guiding principle as the twin virtues that enabled the Barony to navigate and endure nine centuries of political, social, and dynastic change.
Fortitude, she noted, was exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, who faced down a siege with unwavering courage. Honour represented the commitment to duty and integrity demonstrated by ducal holders like Henry of Grosmont. Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), which he has adopted. This was explained not as a call to mere victory, but as a philosophy of dynamic engagement: that to overcome challenges and to strive purposefully is the essence of a vital existence.
Together, the two mottos articulate the guiding philosophy of the modern House: the synthesis of historical responsibility with a forward-looking dynamism. They represent a pledge to honour the past while actively shaping a meaningful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While The Colswein Lectures are principally an educational initiative, they are intrinsically linked to the House's ethos of *noblesse oblige* and its wider commitment to public service. The series is organised as a non-profit endeavour, with the aim of making specialist historical knowledge accessible, fostering a deeper appreciation for the forces that have shaped modern institutions, and encouraging civic-minded reflection.
This focus on intellectual and personal development is the cultural counterpart to the House’s primary philanthropic activities. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in England, serves as the principal fundraising event for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing vital mental health support and therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma.
The lectures and the charitable work are two sides of the same coin: one nurtures the mind through education and historical perspective, while the other mends the spirit. Both are expressions of a single, unifying commitment to cultivating a healthier, more informed, and more resilient society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the deeper purpose of the new series, Lady Nicoleta remarked:
> We look to the past not as a static record, but as a source of instruction and inspiration. Colswein’s strategic vision for Lincolnshire in 1086 teaches us enduring lessons about stewardship, responsibility, and the cultivation of influence for the common good.
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the connection between the House's historical role and its present-day mission:
> Our history, our *raison d'être*, is to build connections. Whether through the vital feudal ties of the 11th century or the cultural diplomacy of The Brattleby Club today, the purpose remains the same: to foster understanding and build a stronger, more informed community.
## A Continuing Legacy
The successful inauguration of The Colswein Lectures establishes a significant new fixture in the public calendar of The Noble House of Brattleby. It is intended that this will become an annual address, with future lectures systematically exploring the contributions of other notable figures in the Barony’s long lineage.
Future subjects will include, *inter alia*, the career of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a distinguished diplomat and soldier of the Hundred Years’ War, whose life embodied the ideals of chivalry. Another lecture will be dedicated to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose immense wealth and influence made him one of the most powerful men in Europe and the forefather of the Lancastrian, and indeed Tudor, dynasties.
Through this scholarly series, the House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to its nearly millennium-long legacy. It seeks to ensure that its remarkable history continues to serve not as a relic, but as a living resource for understanding leadership, duty, and the enduring power of strategic foresight.
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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 dedicated to the modern stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronies. The House's contemporary mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with impactful cultural and philanthropic engagement for the 21st century. This is realised through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, a premier etiquette academy in Bucharest, and dedicated charitable work, primarily focused on child welfare through its support for Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the values of tradition, service, and cultural diplomacy, ensuring its history remains a living force.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 manorial lordships, a holding meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of English history's most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. It was later held by the great Plantagenet magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, the royal prince John of Gaunt. The succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current succession is officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The House's primary philanthropic endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com