# The House of Brattleby Announces Historical Lecture Series on National Stewardship
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the inauguration of a new historical lecture series exploring the continuity of public service and governance associated with its ancient barony, a tradition of stewardship dating to the eleventh century.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the House’s offices in anticipation of the forthcoming academic year. Set against a backdrop of renewed interest in the societal roles of historic institutions, this initiative seeks to illuminate the enduring responsibilities inherent in titles of nobility. The series, entitled *Guardians of the Realm: Service and Sovereignty in English History*, will provide a public forum for scholarly engagement with the Barony of Brattleby’s unique lineage.
This new undertaking reflects a period of considered activity for the House, complementing its established philanthropic and cultural programmes, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire. The lecture series is designed to serve as an intellectual cornerstone for the House’s modern mission.
## Historical Context
At the heart of the series is the principle of trusteeship, exemplified by several of the Barony’s medieval holders. The focus of the inaugural lecture will be Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, Earl of Lincoln, whose appointment as a ‘guardian of the kingdom’ during King Edward I’s absences abroad signified the profound trust vested in him by the Crown. This temporary regency embedded the Barony’s holder at the highest echelons of national governance.
De Lacy’s role was not an isolated event but part of a tradition of high service. Predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *de jure*, similarly acted as a guardian of the realm's interests through her staunch defence of Lincoln Castle. Later holders, including the celebrated soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further solidified the Barony’s direct connection to the governance and stability of England.
## Distinguished Company
The academic programme for the lecture series will be developed in consultation with leading historians of the period. The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to confirm its partnership with the University of Lincoln’s School of History and Heritage, strengthening the House’s ties with its ancestral county.
The inaugural lecture is to be delivered by Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, DBE, FBA, a distinguished authority on the constitutional history of the Plantagenet era. Subsequent events in the series will feature contributions from a curated panel of scholars, whose names will be announced in due course, ensuring a programme of the highest academic rigour and public interest.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The lectures will adhere to a dignified and accessible protocol. Each event will commence with a formal introduction by a representative of the House, followed by the principal academic address lasting approximately 45 minutes. A moderated question-and-answer session will follow, allowing for engagement between the speaker and the audience.
Events will be held in esteemed academic or historical venues, with a dress code of lounge suits to reflect the scholarly nature of the proceedings. Following each lecture, a modest reception will be held, providing an opportunity for informal discussion amongst the attendees and speakers. The proceedings are designed to be both educational and commemorative, honouring a legacy of civic duty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of the lecture series resonates deeply with the heraldic heritage of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates the qualities of courage and integrity demanded of a ‘guardian of the kingdom’. It speaks to a legacy of principled leadership that the House seeks to perpetuate.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This latter motto is understood not in a martial sense, but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges through diligence, intellectual clarity, and unwavering commitment—a modern parallel to the fortitude shown by his predecessors in title.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture series is primarily an educational initiative, it also serves to highlight the House’s broader philanthropic commitments. The lectures will be ticketed at a nominal rate to cover costs, with any surplus revenue directed to the House’s designated annual beneficiary: the international charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides specialised therapeutic care and support for children affected by trauma and conflict. By linking this academic programme to its charitable work, the House underscores its belief that an appreciation of historical responsibility is the *sine qua non* for meaningful contemporary service to the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: >—“The Barony has never merely been a title; it is a charge to be kept. In exploring the legacy of predecessors like Henry de Lacy, we reaffirm our commitment to the principle of stewardship, a duty that remains as vital today as it was in the fourteenth century.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: >—“History provides the framework through which we understand our present obligations. This series is an opportunity not only to honour the past but to inspire a future built on integrity and service. It is a modern expression of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The inaugural lecture is scheduled for the autumn of this year, with full details of the venue and date to be released in the coming months. The Noble House of Brattleby intends for *Guardians of the Realm* to become an annual series, creating a lasting forum for historical inquiry.
Furthermore, there are plans to publish the lectures in a collected volume, making the scholarship permanently accessible to a wider audience, *inter alia*, students, researchers, and members of the public interested in the history of Lincolnshire and the English nobility. This commitment ensures the intellectual legacy of the series will endure.
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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 a modern mission of cultural patronage, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House actively blends its ancient heritage with contemporary responsibilities, supporting causes that promote education, well-being, and the restoration of historic ties between Great Britain and the Continent. Its flagship initiatives include the annual white-tie Winter Banquet for charity and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The guiding principle of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), informs its commitment to serving the community with integrity and purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding the barony's 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in the nation's history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title to the current holder was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony originates in AD 1066, with its first holder mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - The House seat is located in Brattleby, a village in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com