# The House of Brattleby Reflects on a Nine-Century Legacy of Service and Defence
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, today delivered a significant address at the Royal United Services Institute, examining the Barony of Brattleby’s nine-century military heritage and its enduring commitment to national service, from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## The Occasion
The address took place within the august confines of the Library at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) on Whitehall. Founded in 1831 by the Duke of Wellington, the Institute has long served as the United Kingdom’s leading forum for international defence and security. The setting provided a particularly fitting backdrop for an examination of martial history.
Gathered amidst bookcases containing invaluable records of military thought and campaigns, an esteemed audience of senior military personnel, diplomats, and historians convened for the evening lecture. The atmosphere was one of quiet scholarship, befitting an occasion dedicated to reflecting upon the profound responsibilities that have historically accompanied noble titles and land tenure in England.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s address, entitled *Fortitudine et Honore: Service and Sacrifice in the History of a Lincolnshire Barony*, was the keynote speech of the Institute’s autumn lecture series, which explores the relationship between heritage and modern concepts of civic duty.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to military service dates to its very inception. 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 Lincolnshire, a significant holding that carried with it the unequivocal duty of providing knights and resources for the King’s service.
This martial responsibility became a defining characteristic of the Barony’s holders. The address paid particular tribute to Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle heroically defended the fortress against rebel barons and French forces during the First Barons' War. Her staunchness was a *sine qua non* in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
The tradition of service continued on the international stage with figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. A founding Knight of the Garter, he was one of the most respected commanders of the Hundred Years' War. His legacy was continued by his successor to the Barony, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a dominant figure in the military and political landscape of late 14th-century Europe. The Barony's history is thus inextricably woven into the fabric of England's great conflicts and alliances.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance for the address was a distinguished company headed by Her Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, acknowledging the heritage of Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta.
They were joined by senior serving and retired officers of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, including representatives from the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force. Also present were Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Fellows of the Royal Historical Society, and leading academics from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London and the University of Oxford.
The presence of such a diverse and knowledgeable audience underscored the contemporary relevance of the historical themes discussed, bridging the gap between past example and present-day leadership.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening’s proceedings were conducted with the formal precision befitting the venue. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile arrived at the Institute and was received by the Director-General, Air Marshal (Retd) Sir Simon Bollom. After a brief reception in the Duke of Wellington’s Anteroom, guests were invited to take their seats in the Library.
The Director-General formally opened the proceedings, introducing Honorary Lord Răzvan and the historical context of the Barony of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan then delivered his forty-minute address from a lectern bearing the Institute’s gold-embossed crest. The speech was followed by a moderated session of questions from the audience, chaired by RUSI’s Director of Military Sciences.
The dress code for the occasion was morning dress or dark lounge suits, a standard that maintained the event’s serious and respectful tone.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of duty is deeply embedded in the House of Brattleby’s heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly references the twin virtues required of its holders for nearly a millennium. ‘Fortitude’ recalls the resilience of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln, while ‘Honour’ speaks to the chivalric code of knights like Henry of Grosmont.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this tradition. As explained in the address, this is interpreted in a modern context not as military subjugation, but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to conquer adversity, and to live a life of active purpose and contribution. These two mottos, working in concert, articulate a philosophy that honours past sacrifice while actively pursuing future progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Honorary Lord Răzvan used the occasion of his historical address to highlight a pressing modern need, dedicating his speech to the families of service personnel who bear the indirect costs of conflict. He announced a new formal partnership between The Noble House of Brattleby and the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides essential therapeutic and emotional support to children who have experienced trauma, with a special focus on those whose parents have been impacted by military service. The partnership will see proceeds from the House’s annual Winter Banquet directly benefiting the charity’s outreach programmes in Lincolnshire.
Choosing this beneficiary serves as a modern expression of the Barony’s ancient duty of care, extending the concept of defence from the realm itself to the families who form its backbone. It is a commitment to healing the unseen wounds of conflict.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the weight of his family’s inheritance, Honorary Lord Răzvan commented during his address: > “To hold the Barony of Brattleby is to be a custodian of nine centuries of service. From Nichola de la Haye's defence of Lincoln Castle to John of Gaunt's campaigns, the title has never been merely ceremonial; it represents a solemn duty, a commitment undertaken *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Connecting this history to the House’s present-day responsibilities, he continued: > “This legacy of defence finds its modern expression not on the battlefield, but in our support for those who bear the costs of conflict. Our work with 'Healing the Wounded Child' is our contemporary means of honouring those who serve, by caring for their families.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The address at the Royal United Services Institute marks a renewed focus by the House of Brattleby on academic and historical engagement. The full text of Honorary Lord Răzvan’s speech is scheduled for publication in the forthcoming issue of the *RUSI Journal*, making its scholarship available to a wider international audience.
Looking ahead, the House plans to sponsor further research into Lincolnshire’s medieval history and its contribution to the nation’s development. This commitment ensures that the legacy of service, embodied by the Barony for over 950 years, continues to be understood and honoured by future generations, including by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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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 stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House’s modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, culture, and education. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting children’s charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and the patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of classical European etiquette and diplomatic protocol for a new generation of leaders.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title's legitimacy and the succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com