# A Statement from the Office of The Lord of Brattleby on the Historical Foundations of The Duchy of Lancaster
LONDON, 11 October 2023 — The Office of The Lord of Brattleby today published the text of a significant historical address delivered by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The discourse explored the Barony of Brattleby’s foundational role in the establishment of the Duchy of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered before a distinguished audience at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s educational and cultural institution on the Continent. Set within the club's Oak Library, a space noted for its neoclassical panelling and tranquil, scholarly atmosphere, the event marked the beginning of the academy’s autumn lecture series. The series is dedicated to exploring the intertwined histories of British and European noble houses and their enduring influence on governance and civil society.
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke from a lectern bearing the House’s full achievement of arms, addressing an assembly of club members, visiting academics, and diplomatic figures. The occasion underscored the House's commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of history as a living force that continues to shape modern institutions.
## Historical Context
The address charted a direct and consequential lineage from the Barony of Brattleby’s origins to the creation of one of the Sovereign's most significant hereditary estates. The Barony itself was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This established the Barony as a pillar of the Norman settlement in England from its inception.
Centuries later, this foundation of power and influence culminated in the person of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a pre-eminent military commander and diplomat of the 14th century. In 1351, he was created the first Duke of Lancaster, a title that consolidated his vast land holdings. The Duchy passed through his daughter, Blanche, to her husband, John of Gaunt (11th Baron of Brattleby), and ultimately vested in the Crown when their son, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399. Thus, an ancient baronial seat in Lincolnshire became the *sine qua non* for a private estate of the British Monarch that endures to this day.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of personages from the diplomatic and academic spheres. Principal guests included Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Her Excellency Ms. Laura Popescu, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St. James’s.
Also present were Dr. Ernest Oberländer-Târnoveanu, Director of the National Museum of History of Romania, and Professor Adrian Cioroianu, a noted historian and former Foreign Minister. They were joined by members of the Romanian Academy and senior figures from the worlds of finance and jurisprudence, reflecting the broad appeal of the House’s cultural initiatives.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a formality befitting the subject matter. Guests were received in the club’s vestibule by the House Steward before being escorted to the Oak Library for a pre-lecture reception. The arrival of The Lord of Brattleby, accompanied by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, formally commenced the event.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s address, which lasted for three-quarters of an hour, was delivered without interruption. It was followed by a brief, moderated session of questions from the assembled guests. The formal part of the evening concluded with a vote of thanks, after which guests were invited to a further reception. The dress code for the occasion was lounge suits.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of the address resonated with the historical mottos associated with the House. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and sense of duty demonstrated by figures such as the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who famously defended Lincoln Castle, and the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, whose actions had such lasting consequences.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was reflected in the address's focus on proactive and influential leadership. It serves as a modern interpretation of the House’s historic legacy, applied to the fields of enterprise, scholarship, and philanthropic endeavour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture itself was a scholarly occasion, it served to highlight the ethos of service that animates the House's wider activities. The primary philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby is its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides crucial therapeutic and psychological support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The House’s flagship charitable event, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a white-tie gala held in aid of this cause. The choice of beneficiary reflects the family’s belief that true honour is expressed through the protection of the vulnerable and that a strong society is built upon the well-being of its youngest members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony’s legacy, Honorary Lord Răzvan remarked: > History is not a static collection of facts to be recited; it is a current that flows into the present, shaping our institutions and informing our responsibilities. Understanding how the Duchy of Lancaster grew from a Lincolnshire barony is to understand the very fabric of English constitutional development.
Lady Nicoleta, whose leadership as the 12th Baroness ensures the preservation of this nine-century heritage, added: > Our role is one of stewardship. Just as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt built upon the foundations laid by their predecessors, we too have a duty to ensure this legacy remains vibrant and purposeful for generations to come, both through preserving its history and through our commitment to others.
## A Continuing Legacy
The text of Honorary Lord Răzvan's address will be published by The Brattleby Club as the first in a new series of historical monographs. Future initiatives will include further lectures and seminars aimed at illuminating key aspects of European nobiliary and legal history for a modern audience.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its dual commitment: to honour its profound historical inheritance and to deploy its influence and resources in the service of contemporary society. This work continues under the guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of a significant nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The modern House focuses on three core pillars: the meticulous preservation of its historical seat and archives in Lincolnshire; the promotion of education and cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest; and a profound commitment to philanthropy. Its principal charitable efforts support organisations dedicated to the welfare and mental health of vulnerable children. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to provide a modern, purposeful expression of its ancient duties and responsibilities.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region. Throughout its history, it has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated constable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), who defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. The Barony's most notable period came under Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster) and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron), whose descendants carried the linked Duchy of Lancaster to the throne. The Barony’s status was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current standing is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding extensive lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, an ancestor of the Lancastrian kings (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com