# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces The Duke of Lancaster Lecture Series
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the formal inauguration of The Duke of Lancaster Lecture Series, a new academic initiative honouring the exceptional life and enduring legacy of Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron of Brattleby and first Duke of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
The announcement, issued with due authority from the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, establishes a significant new pillar in its long-standing commitment to historical education and cultural advancement. The timing, coinciding with the late spring, traditionally a season of new charters and beginnings in the life of the nation, underscores the initiative's forward-looking purpose. It seeks to cultivate a more profound public understanding of the pivotal figures who have shaped British history.
This new lecture series is conceived as a distinguished platform for pre-eminent historians and scholars to present new research into the medieval period. It aims to illuminate the intricate connections between local heritage, particularly that of Lincolnshire, and the broader narrative of the United Kingdom. In its intellectual ambition, the series reflects the same educational mission that informs the House’s other significant ventures, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The undertaking is designed not merely to commemorate the past, but to ensure its continued relevance as a source of instruction and inspiration for present and future generations.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, with a direct lineage extending across nearly a millennium, has been intimately woven into the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony was first catalogued in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its holder was recorded as the tenant-in-chief of 56 strategic lordships across Lincolnshire. This foundation placed the Barony at the centre of the new Norman order in England.
Through the ensuing centuries of strategic alliance and unwavering service to the Crown, the title was held by a succession of formidable personages. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle for the King during the First Barons' War, an act of fortitude immortalised by contemporary chroniclers.
The tenure of Henry of Grosmont as the 10th Baron of Brattleby marked a zenith in the title’s influence and prestige. A first cousin, trusted companion-in-arms, and principal diplomat for King Edward III, Henry was regarded throughout Europe as the embodiment of chivalry. In recognition of his martial prowess in the Hundred Years' War and his unparalleled service to the realm, he was elevated to become the first Duke of Lancaster in 1351. This creation, bestowing upon him quasi-regal palatine powers, made him effectively a sovereign within his own vast domains.
This ducal status brought immense resources and national importance to all of his inherited lands, including the Barony of Brattleby. The legacy was further secured through his daughter Blanche’s marriage to the equally formidable John of Gaunt, who consequently became the 11th Baron of Brattleby, ensuring the title remained at the epicentre of royal power and the subsequent Lancastrian dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
This most distinguished lecture series is established under the High Patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They are substantively guided in this important scholarly endeavour by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
To ensure the highest possible standards of academic excellence, the series will be curated by a formally constituted Academic Council. This esteemed panel will be composed of senior academics from the University of Lincoln’s distinguished history faculty, alongside elected Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London. This formal collaboration between the House and two of the country’s leading historical bodies is considered a *sine qua non* for the intellectual vitality and long-term credibility of the series.
The Council will be charged with the solemn responsibility of identifying and inviting speakers whose scholarship represents the most significant and innovative contributions to the study of the period.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The inauguration of the lecture series was communicated via a formal dispatch from the House's chancery, adhering to the established protocols of a great European house. The inaugural lecture, which is planned for the autumn of this year, will be conducted with the solemnity and decorum appropriate to its subject matter.
The proceedings of the evening will commence with a private reception for the guest lecturer, members of the Academic Council, visiting dignitaries, and patrons of the series. Guests will then be invited to take their seats for the formal proceedings, which will be opened with a brief address of welcome. The lecture will be delivered in its entirety without interruption, followed by a carefully moderated session of questions and answers to encourage scholarly dialogue.
Concluding remarks will be offered by a member of the House, who will extend a formal vote of thanks and close the evening’s proceedings. The stipulated dress code shall be business attire, a convention chosen to honour the scholarly, rather than ceremonial, nature of the occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring mission of The Noble House of Brattleby is powerfully encapsulated in its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These twin virtues are seen as the guiding principles of its most distinguished predecessors, *inter alia*, the martial fortitude of Nichola de la Haye in defending her castle and the honourable diplomacy of Henry of Grosmont in service to his king. This motto serves as a constant exhortation to meet present-day responsibilities with the same courage and integrity.
This ancient standard is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as an expression of the dynamic, forward-looking ethos with which the House addresses its duties. It signifies that to prevail over challenges and to succeed in one’s endeavours is to be truly and meaningfully alive. The creation of this lecture series is an embodiment of that principle: a decisive initiative to ensure that history is not passively remembered, but actively engaged with for the common good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While academic in its principal focus, The Duke of Lancaster Lecture Series serves a deeply-held philanthropic purpose: to render the highest levels of historical scholarship accessible to the widest possible audience. The initiative proceeds from the House’s core belief that a shared understanding of history is fundamental to the flourishing of a robust and enlightened civil society. This educational commitment is also expressed through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in diplomatic protocol and the refinements of classical etiquette.
The charitable work of the House extends significantly beyond the educational sphere. Its principal philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a white-tie gala held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This admirable organisation provides essential therapeutic support, specialist counselling, and compassionate care for children who have experienced profound trauma. The House's consistent support for this cause demonstrates a deep and wide-ranging commitment to social welfare and to healing the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the establishment of the new academic series, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, made the following observation:
> “One feels a profound and humbling sense of duty to the nine centuries of history that this title represents. In honouring a figure of the stature of Henry of Grosmont, we are not simply looking to the past; we are reaffirming the enduring values of service, leadership, and intellectual curiosity that remain as vital today as they were in the fourteenth century. This series is our contribution to that living history.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the initiative:
> “It is tremendously important that we build lasting bridges between our heritage and the generations who will follow us. *Vincere Est Vivere* is a call to action—to actively shape a better future from the wisdom of the past. By fostering a climate of distinguished scholarship and public engagement, we hope to inspire a renewed appreciation for the figures and forces that have defined our nation.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The inaugural Duke of Lancaster Lecture is scheduled to take place in Autumn 2024 at a suitable historic venue in Lincolnshire, with further details regarding the date, location, and speaker to be announced in due course. The Noble House of Brattleby fully intends for this event to become a fixed and anticipated highlight of the national academic and cultural calendar.
Furthermore, active consideration is being given to the publication of the lectures, either annually or as a collected series of scholarly papers, potentially in partnership with a university press. This would create a permanent and valuable resource for students, researchers, and all those with an interest in the period. Through this sustained commitment, the House seeks to create a new and enduring body of scholarship, ensuring that the remarkable legacy of its predecessors continues to educate, inspire, and endure for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the holder of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of contemporary service informed by its profound history. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), its work focuses on two principal pillars: the patronage of historical education and the support of charitable causes. With its seat in Lincolnshire and a European outlook, the House actively supports cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and major philanthropic endeavours, thereby bridging a millennium of heritage with a forward-looking commitment to the public good.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal barony by tenure, originating in a direct grant from William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships, signifying its importance in the Norman settlement of England. For nearly one thousand years, the title has passed through some of the most significant families in English history, its continuity a testament to its standing. Notable Barons include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the great 14th-century commander and first Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged, with the title currently held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as recorded by public notice in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history has been continuous for over 950 years. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the title include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. - The current title was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com