# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Seminal Ducal Creation of 1351
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this evening hosted a historical lecture and reception at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, commemorating the 1351 creation of her predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, as the 1st Duke of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
The event was held within the panelled walls of The Brattleby Club’s library, an institution founded by Lady Nicoleta to foster cultural exchange and the study of European etiquette and history. Set against the backdrop of an autumn evening in the Romanian capital, the gathering brought together figures from diplomacy, academia, and civil society for a scholarly reflection on a pivotal moment in the history of the English peerage.
The atmosphere was one of quiet erudition, as guests assembled to hear a discourse on the life and legacy of Henry of Grosmont. The lecture, entitled *‘A Paramount Lord: Henry of Grosmont and the Consolidation of Ducal Power’*, explored the profound political, military, and social significance of this 14th-century elevation for both the Barony of Brattleby and the Kingdom of England.
## Historical Context
The creation of the Dukedom of Lancaster for Henry of Grosmont in 1351, a title second only to the Prince of Wales, marked the zenith of the Barony’s medieval influence. As one of England’s most distinguished soldiers and diplomats during the Hundred Years’ War, Henry's elevation by his cousin, King Edward III, was a formal recognition of his immense personal power and the vast territories he commanded. This act placed the holder of the Brattleby seat at the very heart of royal counsel.
This lineage of service extends through nine centuries, beginning with Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. It includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It was Henry’s inheritance, which passed to his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, that established the House of Lancaster, forever weaving the Barony of Brattleby into the fabric of English royal history.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the invitation of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were, inter alia:
Her Excellency The Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Romania; The Honourable Sir Adrian St John, KCMG; Professor Sir Christopher Clark, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge; Mr and Mrs Radu Stoica; and Dr Elena Popescu of the Romanian Academy.
The guest of honour and principal speaker for the evening was Dr Alastair Bell, a noted Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, whose work on the 14th-century English aristocracy is widely regarded as definitive.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings commenced with the arrival of guests, who were greeted personally by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in the Club’s vestibule. In accordance with established protocol, diplomatic and titled guests were received in order of precedence before being escorted to the library for refreshments. The evening was governed by a formal dress code of dark lounge suits and cocktail attire.
Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered a brief introduction, welcoming attendees and outlining the historical importance of the evening’s subject. Lady Nicoleta then formally introduced Dr Bell, who delivered his 45-minute lecture from a lectern bearing the House’s coat of arms. A moderated question-and-answer session followed, after which guests were invited to a reception in the adjoining salon.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Central to the discussion was the evolution of the Barony’s heraldic identity. The arms of the Duchy of Lancaster, adopted by Henry of Grosmont, are those of the Plantagenet kings of England, differenced by a ‘label of France’ — a direct and signal honour from the monarch. This signifies a connection to the sovereign that is *sine qua non* to understanding the House’s historical standing.
The modern House of Brattleby, under Lady Nicoleta, continues to be guided by its own ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, reflecting a commitment to resilience and integrity, is seen as a direct spiritual inheritance from predecessors like Henry of Grosmont, whose military fortitude and honourable conduct earned him a dukedom. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this by underscoring a modern imperative to overcome challenges through action and purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the evening was primarily educational, its theme of legacy and responsibility directly reflects the House’s wider philanthropic mission. The intellectual enrichment promoted by The Brattleby Club is understood as a parallel commitment to the work of the Annual Winter Banquet, the House's white-tie gala. That event’s sole beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, provides specialist therapeutic care and support for young people who have experienced trauma.
The ethos connecting these endeavours is a belief in nurturing potential. Whether through historical scholarship that informs the present, or direct intervention that secures a child’s future, the House of Brattleby directs its efforts toward creating lasting, positive change.
## In Their Own Words
In her closing remarks, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the evening’s theme:
> The life of Henry of Grosmont reminds us that titles and traditions are not static heirlooms to be admired under glass. They are, and have always been, a charge to serve — a living responsibility to contribute to the nation and to society with the same purpose as our predecessors. It is our duty to carry that legacy forward, with fortitude and honour. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> History offers the most valuable of lessons in leadership. Understanding the context of a 14th-century dukedom helps us to navigate the challenges of the 21st century with a deeper perspective. It is in this continuous act of learning and applying that we truly live.
## A Continuing Legacy
The lecture marks the inauguration of a new annual historical series to be hosted by The Brattleby Club, which will explore other significant figures and events connected to the Barony’s long history.
The House’s focus now turns to its primary philanthropic event of the year, the Annual Winter Banquet, to be held in Lincolnshire. This gala will raise vital funds for Healing the Wounded Child, continuing the House’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of the community and embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission is twofold: to preserve its historic English legacy and to engage in contemporary European society through cultural and philanthropic initiatives. This is exemplified by its patronage of charitable organisations focused on child welfare, such as Healing the Wounded Child, and its establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest as a centre for education and diplomacy. The House operates with a deep sense of public duty, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 documents its extensive holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who was created 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, son of King Edward III. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, with the notice of recognition published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official notice of recognition for the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com