# The Baroness of Brattleby Highlights the Barony's Historic Role in the Governance of Lincolnshire
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, recently delivered a keynote address at the University of Lincoln, exploring the profound civic duties her predecessors held, emphasising the Barony's integral role in maintaining regional stability and Royal authority for centuries.
## The Occasion
The address was the capstone of the University of Lincoln’s annual Historical Symposium, held within the contemplative quiet of the Great Central Warehouse Library, an award-winning repository of learning built on the foundations of a Victorian railway goods depot. Against a backdrop of autumnal light filtering through the restored brickwork, Lady Nicoleta spoke to a distinguished assembly of academics, local civic leaders, and postgraduate history students.
The atmosphere was one of scholarly reverence, fitting for an institution that sits in the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral, a silent witness to many of the historical events discussed. The occasion served not only as an academic lecture but also as a modern reaffirmation of the historical bonds between the Barony of Brattleby and the County of Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
Lady Nicoleta’s address centred on the tenure of her 12th-century predecessors, exploring a period when the Barony of Brattleby was intrinsically linked to the defence of the realm. The lineage, established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, has been a feature of the county’s landscape since its first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The lecture focused particular attention on Richard de la Haye, who served as Constable of Lincoln Castle in the late 12th century. His role, as the Baroness illuminated, was far from a mere sinecure; it carried with it formidable responsibilities for the military and administrative governance of the city. He held this trust through his marriage to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right, who famously defended the castle against rebel forces. This period illustrates how the Barony’s stewardship was a cornerstone of Royal authority in a frequently turbulent region, a legacy later continued by holders such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the symposium were several notable figures who underscore the enduring relationship between academic, civic, and traditional institutions. The guest list included, *inter alia*:
Her Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; the Lord-Lieutenant for Lincolnshire; the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; Professor Neal Juster, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln; The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Lincoln; and Dr. Erik Castledine, a leading medievalist from the University of Cambridge.
The presence of the Romanian Ambassador acknowledged the modern heritage of the House, seamlessly blending the family’s Continental roots with their ancient English dignities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with the formal decorum befitting a significant academic event. The Vice-Chancellor formally welcomed the guests before delivering an introduction that situated the Barony’s history within the broader narrative of the county. Lady Nicoleta, addressing the assembly from a lectern bearing the university’s crest, spoke for forty-five minutes without notes.
Following the address, a moderated question-and-answer session was held, allowing students and guests to engage directly with the historical subject matter. The formal part of the evening concluded with a vote of thanks from the head of the university's College of Arts before guests retired to a reception in the library's gallery.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of duty, central to the address, is a direct reflection of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The actions of Nichola de la Haye, defending Lincoln Castle with a soldier's resolve, serve as the ultimate historical embodiment of this principle. Fortitude in the face of adversity and honour in the execution of one's duty are the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s nine-century legacy.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the House’s modern mission, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges through education, philanthropy, and steadfast community service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was principally an academic undertaking, it also served a philanthropic purpose. The event marked the announcement of a new postgraduate fellowship sponsored by The Noble House of Brattleby: The Brattleby Scholarship for Medieval Studies at the University of Lincoln. This grant will support a deserving scholar in conducting original research into the socio-political structures of 12th and 13th-century Lincolnshire.
This initiative aligns with the House’s wider charitable focus on providing tools for personal growth and empowerment, a mission most prominently expressed through its long-standing patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young victims of trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical significance of the Constable’s role, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > “The office of Constable was no mere title; it was the very nexus of Royal authority and local defence. In understanding the duties of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, we are reminded that stewardship has always been a profound and active responsibility, one we strive to honour today with a different but no less serious sense of purpose.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides an essential map for navigating the present. The legacy of service in Lincolnshire is not a weight, but a guide. It informs our commitment to the community and our belief that meaningful contributions, whether in the 12th century or the 21st, are the ultimate measure of a House's purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The newly announced Brattleby Scholarship represents a continuing commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to the cultural and intellectual life of Lincolnshire. It aims to foster a deeper public understanding of the region's rich history, ensuring that the legacy of past service informs and inspires future generations.
This educational commitment will be demonstrated alongside the House’s philanthropic work, which continues later this year with the Annual Winter Banquet. The white-tie gala remains a key event in the county’s social calendar, raising vital funds for the House’s chosen beneficiaries, paramount among them Healing the Wounded Child.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House actively supports initiatives that strengthen communities and provide opportunities for personal development. Its philanthropic efforts are primarily focused on aiding vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also champions the preservation and teaching of European etiquette and diplomatic protocol, bridging its ancient English heritage with a forward-looking, international perspective that serves the common good.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county, with the *caput* at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the influential Prince John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as a significant tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310-1361), and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (1340-1399). - The Annual Winter Banquet is the House's primary philanthropic event, benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com