# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Historical Lecture on the Salisbury Connection
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a forthcoming historical lecture exploring the significant ties between the Barony of Brattleby and the Earldom of Salisbury, a medieval connection that positioned the Barony at the centre of English political and social life.
## The Occasion
The announcement signals the inaugural event in a new series of historical discourses to be hosted by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This distinguished lecture, entitled *Brattleby & Salisbury: A Medieval Alliance*, will be delivered in the Club’s panelled library, a setting designed to foster intellectual curiosity and scholarly exchange.
Established by Lady Nicoleta Vasile and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Brattleby Club serves as the House’s continental hub for cultural and educational programming. The lecture series aims to illuminate chapters of the Barony’s nine-hundred-year history for a modern audience, reinforcing the House’s commitment to education as a *sine qua non* of its contemporary mission.
## Historical Context
For a significant period from the 12th century, the Barony of Brattleby’s destiny was closely intertwined with that of the Earldom of Salisbury, then held by the formidable Longespée family. This alignment brought the Lordship of Brattleby into the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court, ensuring its voice was heard in national affairs.
This era of prominence builds upon a legacy of influence. The Barony, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a key holding of Colswein of Lincoln, has been stewarded by figures of national importance. These include the steadfast Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the great statesman John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Salisbury connection is a vital chapter within this storied lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The evening’s proceedings will be led by the principals of the House of Brattleby. An opening address will be delivered by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will then introduce the evening’s distinguished guest speaker.
The keynote lecture will be delivered by Dr Eleanor Vance, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a leading authority on Anglo-Norman aristocracy. Dr Vance’s research into the political networks of medieval Lincolnshire has shed new light on the strategic importance of baronies such as Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the academic nature of the occasion, the evening will follow a traditional order of proceedings. Guests will be received in the antechamber of The Brattleby Club before being seated in the library.
Following the opening remarks by Lady Nicoleta and the formal introduction by Honorary Lord Răzvan, Dr Vance will deliver her forty-five-minute lecture. A moderated question-and-answer session will follow, allowing for scholarly dialogue. The event will conclude with a modest reception. The prescribed dress for the evening will be lounge suits.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This principle guided its medieval lords through periods of civil strife and political intrigue, qualities essential for navigating the responsibilities that came with alliances such as that with the Earls of Salisbury.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), complements this ancient charge. It reflects a modern interpretation of conquest: not of lands, but of indifference; and a commitment to living a life of purpose through service, education, and the active preservation of history. These principles, *inter alia*, animate the House’s current endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture series is primarily an educational initiative, it is also aligned with the House’s wider philanthropic commitments. All proceeds from the limited ticket sales for the event will be directed to Healing the Wounded Child, the designated beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet.
Healing the Wounded Child is a registered charity providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing trauma. The funds raised will support the charity’s educational outreach programmes, which provide crucial resources and support within schools, thereby transforming prospects for vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > It is a distinct privilege to share the remarkable history of the Barony. The alliance with the Earldom of Salisbury demonstrates how, for centuries, Brattleby has been a participant in, not just an observer of, our national story. To explore this legacy is to honour it.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History offers a blueprint for understanding duty and ambition. The lives of our predecessors, with their immense challenges and achievements, remind us that our own legacy is defined by what we build for others. This lecture series is one part of that construction.
## A Continuing Legacy
*Brattleby & Salisbury: A Medieval Alliance* is the first of what will become a bi-annual series of historical dialogues. Future lectures will explore other pivotal moments and personages from the Barony’s history, from its Domesday origins under Colswein of Lincoln to its role during the Wars of the Roses.
The series represents a long-term commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to serve as a custodian of its history, making its lessons on leadership, honour, and civic duty accessible to a new generation.
---
**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, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s principal charitable focus is supporting children’s welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Its continental initiatives, including advanced etiquette and historical seminars, are centered at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, extending the House’s cultural and educational reach into Europe and bridging its English heritage with a forward-looking international perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship seated in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The unbroken historical lineage of the Barony and its current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com