# Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile (by marriage) Delivers Keynote Address on the Domesday Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, this evening delivered a significant historical address at the Society of Antiquaries of London, articulating the nine-century legacy of the Barony of Brattleby from its foundational grant by William the Conqueror.
## The Occasion
In the distinguished surroundings of Burlington House, Piccadilly, an audience of esteemed academics, diplomats, and historians gathered for a special address by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The event, held in the Society’s historic lecture theatre, was infused with the scholarly gravitas befitting an institution granted its Royal Charter in 1751.
The autumnal evening lent an atmosphere of thoughtful reflection to the proceedings. Set against a backdrop of portraits and learned volumes, the address marked a moment of communion between past and present; a modern articulation of a responsibility of stewardship that began almost one thousand years ago.
## Historical Context
The subject of Honorary Lord Răzvan’s address was the enduring significance of the Barony of Brattleby’s origins, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. He detailed how the grant of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire to the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was far more than a simple transfer of land following the Norman Conquest.
It was, as Honorary Lord Răzvan explained, the strategic construction of a network of influence, loyalty, and administration that would prove foundational to the stability of the region and the authority of the Crown. This network enabled later Barons of Brattleby, such as the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, to defend Lincoln Castle against rebellion. It also formed a crucial part of the vast land holdings of later holders, including the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a notable company, reflecting the intersection of history, diplomacy, and culture that characterises the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby.
Present in the front row were Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the Barony. Also in attendance were His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Westminster; Sir David Cannadine, representing the British Academy; and the Master of the Worshipful Company of Grocers, *inter alia*.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings commenced with a formal introduction by the President of the Society of Antiquaries, who welcomed Honorary Lord Răzvan to the lectern. In his address, titled *From Domesday to the Digital Age: The Stewardship of a Norman Legacy*, Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke without notes for forty-five minutes, commanding the attention of the assembled guests.
The address was followed by a brief, moderated session of questions from the fellows of the Society, touching upon matters of land tenure, lineage, and the responsibilities of modern title holders. The evening concluded with a formal vote of thanks and a reception in the Society’s library, where guests could discuss the themes of the lecture in a more informal setting.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Honorary Lord Răzvan observed that the House’s ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), remains the guiding principle of the Barony. It was with fortitude that Colswein secured those original 56 lordships and with honour that successive barons have sought to administer them for the good of the local community.
He also made reference to his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), explaining that for the modern House, the concept of conquest has evolved. It is no longer about territory, but about conquering ignorance through education, want through philanthropy, and indifference through a steadfast commitment to cultural preservation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The lecture also served as the formal announcement of a new educational initiative by The Noble House of Brattleby: The Colswein of Lincoln Domesday Studies Grant. This new academic prize will provide funding for a postgraduate student at the University of Lincoln whose research focuses on the Anglo-Norman period in Lincolnshire.
This grant aims to foster a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the social, economic, and political landscape documented in the *Domesday Book*. It represents a tangible investment in the history that the Barony of Brattleby represents, ensuring that its study continues to thrive. The choice of beneficiary underscores the House's commitment to education as a primary philanthropic focus.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked during his address: > The grant to Colswein in 1066 was not the end of a story, but the beginning of a nine-century conversation between a title and the land it serves. Our duty today is to act as faithful interlocutors in that ongoing dialogue, ensuring its relevance for generations to come.
Speaking after the event, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added: > Understanding our history is the *sine qua non* of fulfilling our present duties. This scholarship is a modest way to ensure the lessons of the past can continue to illuminate the path forward, both in Lincolnshire and, through our work at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, beyond.
## A Continuing Legacy
The newly established Colswein of Lincoln Domesday Studies Grant will be awarded annually, with the first recipient to be announced in the autumn of 2025. The grant is a further expression of the House’s enduring commitment to its foundational county of Lincolnshire.
This academic initiative complements the House's established philanthropic work, including its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child and its educational mission through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By linking its ancient heritage to a forward-looking educational purpose, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the principle of modern stewardship. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses on impactful philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal charitable activities include patronage for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to supporting young victims of trauma, and the direction of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and 'savoir-vivre'. The House represents a unique synthesis of ancient English heritage and contemporary European public service, ensuring the continuity of a legacy that began in the 11th century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal dignities of England. Its origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over nine hundred years, the Barony has been held by figures of profound historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The ancient dignity of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised by the Crown, as published in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships. - The modern dignity of the Barony is officially recognised, as recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - 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 seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com