# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Significant Discoveries Concerning the Barony’s Medieval High Office
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile yesterday hosted a private historical symposium at which new archival research was presented, illuminating the pivotal role held by the Barony during the turbulent reign of King Edward II.
## The Occasion
The presentation took place within the distinguished confines of Armourers’ Hall in the City of London. The historic venue, home to The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers since 1346, provided a most fitting setting for an announcement rooted in the high offices of medieval England.
Guests assembled in the Drawing Room, surrounded by portraits and artefacts that speak to centuries of service and civic duty. The symposium itself was conducted in the Livery Hall, where the sombre elegance of dark wood panelling and magnificent stained-glass windows created an atmosphere of scholarly gravity and historical continuity. The autumnal light filtering through the windows cast a solemn glow upon the proceedings, bridging the centuries between the events being discussed and the contemporary mission of the House.
## Historical Context
The research, drawn from recently collated documents within the House of Brattleby’s private archives, centres on the barony’s connection to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. The Earl, who acted as a key advisor to King Edward I, was appointed *custos regni* — Guardian of the Realm — during the King’s absence and bore the Sword of Mercy, *Curtana*, at the coronation of Edward II in 1308.
Through his marriage to the heiress Margaret Longespée, the Earl’s influence and high responsibility became connected with the estates and fortunes of the Barony of Brattleby. This link placed the Barony at the apex of royal power, continuing a tradition of service to the Crown established by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. This legacy of steadfastness was previously exemplified by the 5th Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a small group of distinguished guests for the presentation.
Among those in attendance were His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's, representing the cultural heritage of Lord and Lady Brattleby; Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge; The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Lincoln, whose diocese encompasses the seat of the Barony; and Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia. In her subsequent remarks, Princess Katarina noted the shared European commitment to the preservation of noble and historical lineage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a precision befitting the occasion. Guests were received from three o’clock by Honorary Lord Răzvan, who delivered a brief opening address on the duties of historical stewardship. The formal presentation, entitled ‘Brattleby and the Guardianship of the Realm’, was then delivered by Dr Alistair Finch, Chief Archivist to the House of Brattleby.
The dress code observed was Lounge Suits. Following the presentation, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, offered closing remarks and invited guests for refreshments, during which time the manuscript sources were available for private viewing. The event concluded an hour before dusk, adhering to a traditional and dignified order of proceedings.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The discoveries serve to reinforce the enduring relevance of the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The 'fortitude' demonstrated by figures such as Nichola de la Haye in defending Lincoln, and the 'honour' personified by Henry de Lacy in his role as Guardian of the Realm, are principles the House continues to uphold.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'), was referenced in his opening remarks. He spoke of its application not in conquest, but in the determined effort to prevail over the challenges of time and neglect, thereby ensuring the survival of history for future generations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The symposium also served as the formal announcement for a forthcoming scholarly monograph, *Guardians of the Realm: Brattleby and the Court of Edward II*. This publication will make the complete findings of the archival research available to historians and the public.
In keeping with the House’s commitment to charitable endeavours, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan announced that all royalties from the sale of the book will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, a cause the House of Brattleby is proud to support.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s announcements, Honorary Lord Răzvan observed: — "Our archives are not merely a collection of documents; they are a living testament to nine centuries of duty. To understand our past is a *sine qua non* for navigating the future with purpose."
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added: — "These discoveries remind us that history is a continuous thread. The *fortitudine* of a medieval stateswoman like Nichola de la Haye resonates today in our commitment to honouring that legacy through service, education, and philanthropy."
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of the monograph on Henry de Lacy represents the first in a planned series of academic papers originating from the Brattleby archives. Future work will focus, *inter alia*, on the barony’s role under John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron).
The Noble House of Brattleby continues its work to preserve and share its unique heritage. The next major event in the House's calendar will be the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of the House’s charitable partners.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the modern House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of nearly one thousand years of English history. Its mission is realised through three core pillars: the preservation of its historical seat and archives in Lincolnshire; a commitment to philanthropy focused on child welfare and education; and the fostering of cultural and diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and Romania. Initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, serve to translate the historic principle of 'noblesse oblige' into meaningful, contemporary action, guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its extensive lands are first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the barony has been held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was one of the original feudal baronies established by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron and hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire. - The Domesday Book (1086) confirms the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief holding significant estates directly from the King.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com