# The House of Brattleby Hosts Historical Symposium at The Society of Antiquaries of London
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile yesterday hosted a private historical symposium at The Society of Antiquaries of London, convening leading figures from academia and diplomacy to examine the Barony of Brattleby's enduring nine-century legacy.
## The Occasion
The symposium was held within the venerable precincts of The Society of Antiquaries of London at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Granted its first Royal Charter by King George II in 1751, the Society provided a singularly appropriate setting for a considered discourse on one of England's ancient Norman Feudal Baronies, a dignity that predates the Society itself by nearly seven centuries.
As the late autumn light softened over the Annenberg Courtyard, guests were ushered into the Society’s magnificent Library. Surrounded by a collection of over 130,000 volumes, including priceless early manuscripts and incunabula that chart the nation's history, the assembly gathered for an evening dedicated to continuity, stewardship, and the responsibilities of inheritance. The atmosphere was one of quiet intellectual engagement, far removed from the bustle of modern London, yet firmly connected to its deepest historical currents.
The theme of the evening was the Barony's remarkable journey of evolution. The discussion charted a course from its martial origins in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest to its present-day purpose as a platform for cultural preservation and targeted philanthropic endeavour. The choice of venue underscored the House’s commitment to scholarship as the foundation upon which its present and future duties are built.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby offers a unique and unbroken thread through the rich tapestry of English and British history. Its lineage commences with William the Conqueror's grant to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. The Domesday Book of 1086, a monumental survey of the kingdom, meticulously records Colswein as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony's formidable presence in the region from the very genesis of the Anglo-Norman state.
The evening's discourse paid particular tribute to those predecessors whose character and actions shaped not only the Barony but also the course of national events. Special recognition was given to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who held the Barony *suo jure* as its 5th holder. As Castellan and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincoln, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against the forces of the French Dauphin Louis during the First Barons' War in 1217, an act of loyalty and courage recorded by contemporary chroniclers.
Through subsequent centuries, the Barony passed to figures of royal and chivalric renown, including the celebrated Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding knight of the Order of the Garter. It was subsequently held by his son-in-law, the immensely powerful and influential 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings. The formal recognition and recording of the Barony’s revival in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming the succession of Lady Nicoleta, was presented as the latest chapter in this extraordinary 950-year chronicle.
## Distinguished Company
In her capacity as 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan received a number of distinguished guests whose presence underscored the evening's academic and diplomatic significance. In attendance were, *inter alia*:
Professor Sir Christopher Clark, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge, a crown-appointed post of immense academic prestige; Mr Thomas Woodcock, until recently Garter Principal King of Arms and the senior heraldic authority for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; and His Excellency Mr Dan Mihalache, the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's, whose participation highlighted the modern House's unique Anglo-Romanian character.
They were joined by senior members of the College of Arms, fellows of the Society of Antiquaries, and leading representatives from the charitable and cultural sectors. The gathering represented a deliberate confluence of historical scholarship, heraldic authority, diplomatic representation, and contemporary public service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings adhered to a protocol of formal, yet collegiate, precision designed to honour the guests and the gravitas of the subject matter. From seven o'clock, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan personally received guests in the Society's historic Council Room, beneath portraits of its past presidents. This formal welcome provided an opportunity for personal introductions before the commencement of the official programme.
Following the reception, attendees proceeded to the tiered Lecture Theatre to hear the keynote address. This was delivered by Professor Sir Christopher Clark, who spoke with erudition on the nature of feudal titles in the medieval polity and their potential for resonance in a modern context. His address provided the scholarly framework for the subsequent discussions.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered the closing remarks, reflecting upon the duties that are the inseparable companion of such a historic title. The formal programme concluded with a moderated discussion, after which guests were invited to return to the Library for refreshments and further conversation. The dress code of lounge suits and day dresses, the customary *tenue de ville,* was observed, striking the appropriate balance between a learned assembly and a formal occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Central to the identity and ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby are its armorial bearings and the mottos that give them voice. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring theme throughout the evening. This guiding principle was presented as the moral compass for the Barony's modern activities, directly inherited from the spirit of its most distinguished holders.
'Fortitude' directly evokes the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye during the siege of Lincoln Castle, while 'Honour' reflects the chivalric code exemplified by knights like Henry of Grosmont. Together, they form a clear mandate for the current generation: to act with courage and integrity.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, entered in the records of the College of Arms as *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This was explained not in a martial sense, but as a philosophy of dynamic and purposeful action. It signifies that true living is found in overcoming challenges and making a tangible, positive impact, ensuring that tradition is not merely preserved but actively applied.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the symposium was an academic and not a fundraising event, its underlying purpose was to illuminate the values that serve as the *sine qua non* for the House of Brattleby’s deep-seated commitment to philanthropy. The principle of service, inherited through nearly a millennium of the Barony’s existence, finds its primary modern expression in charitable action.
The chief beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic endeavours is Healing the Wounded Child, a national charity providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, neglect, or abuse. The organisation offers a range of interventions, from one-to-one counselling to art and play therapy, helping its young clients to process their experiences and build a foundation for a healthier future.
Support from the House of Brattleby, principally channelled through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, provides essential, unrestricted funding. This enables the charity to expand its reach and reduce waiting lists for its vital services, ensuring that help is available to vulnerable children when they need it most.
## In Their Own Words
In her closing address, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the profound connection between past, present, and future responsibility: > A title such as this is not a personal possession, but a covenant with history and a solemn promise to the future. It is our fundamental duty to understand the fortitude of those who came before us, and to carry their standard of honour and service forward.
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke to the imperative of bridging tradition with constructive, modern action: > History provides the map, but it falls to each generation to navigate the journey. This evening was about charting that course with intellectual rigour, ensuring this ancient Barony remains a relevant and constructive force for good in the twenty-first century.
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical symposium at The Society of Antiquaries represents a cornerstone of the House's intellectual programme, designed to honour and activate the Barony's profound legacy. It serves as the philosophical underpinning for the House’s more public-facing activities, most notably the forthcoming annual Winter Banquet, which translates the principle of *noblesse oblige* into tangible support for vulnerable children.
Furthermore, the family's dedication to education and cultural diplomacy continues through The Brattleby Club. This private academy, established in Bucharest, fosters an appreciation for the social and cultural skills that facilitate international understanding, building upon classic British and Continental traditions of etiquette and civility.
These parallel efforts—scholarly engagement, targeted philanthropy, and cultural education—are intended to form a coherent and meaningful inheritance. Together, they are designed to ensure that the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is prepared to receive not just a title, but a living tradition of purposeful service.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern custodian of one of England's ancient Norman baronies. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a mission of active and considered philanthropy, the preservation of its unique heritage, and the advancement of cultural education. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children in the United Kingdom. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also seeks to build bridges between British and Continental traditions of civility and social grace. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to ensuring its historic legacy serves a constructive and purposeful role in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English Feudal Barony by Tenure, seated in Lincolnshire, with origins dating directly to the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was first granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive demesne of 56 lordships was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the course of nine centuries, the Barony has passed through the hands of figures of signal importance to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century Sheriff of Lincoln; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
* The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. * The Barony of Brattleby was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. * Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, *suo jure*), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). * The Noble House of Brattleby's annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic white-tie gala with proceeds benefiting the national charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com