# A Lecture on Royal Service in the Welsh Marches Hosted by The Noble House of Brattleby
**BUCHAREST, 24 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted a historical lecture at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, exploring the Barony of Brattleby’s deep-rooted tradition of service to the Crown during the Welsh campaigns of the late thirteenth century.
## The Occasion
The event, entitled *Brattleby and the Crown: Service in the Welsh Marches*, unfolded within the distinguished confines of The Brattleby Club’s library. Located in the heart of Bucharest, the Club serves as a cultural outpost for the ancient English House, and its library provided a suitably scholarly setting. Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling bookcases of dark, polished oak and the subtle scent of aged leather and beeswax, guests took their seats as the evening drew in.
As a cool autumn air settled over the city, the room was cast in the warm glow of green-shaded reading lamps. The atmosphere was one of quiet erudition, a gathering dedicated to the exploration of history as a living force. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Alistair Finch, a Senior Fellow of St Antony's College, Oxford, and a noted Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, whose work on the medieval military history of the British Isles is widely respected.
The occasion was conceived not only as an academic exercise but also as an expression of the House of Brattleby’s unique dual identity: deeply rooted in nearly a millennium of English history, yet actively engaged with continental Europe. It underscored the House’s enduring role as a custodian of its formidable lineage and its commitment to sharing that heritage with a wider audience.
## Historical Context
The lecture provided a meticulous examination of the years 1277–1283, a defining period for both the English monarchy and the Barony of Brattleby. Dr. Finch articulated how the Barony, then under the lordship of the formidable magnate Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was intrinsically involved in King Edward I’s resolute campaigns to assert English authority over Wales. As one of the King’s most trusted commanders and a key architect of his strategy, the Earl’s service directly reflected upon the lands and titles he held, including Brattleby.
Dr. Finch detailed how Henry de Lacy led forces in the field and oversaw the construction of Denbigh Castle, one of the great fortresses of the Edwardian conquest. This service was not an isolated act but part of a continuous tradition of loyalty to the sovereign that is the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s history. It was a tradition established at the very beginning when, following the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
This golden thread of service connects pre-eminent figures across the centuries. It is seen in the unyielding courage of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle defended it against French and rebel forces in 1217. It continued with Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the late fourteenth century. The lecture placed the service of the Earl of Lincoln firmly within this powerful narrative of duty.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the personal invitation of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were a number of distinguished guests from the diplomatic, academic, and cultural spheres. Their presence signified the evening's importance as a moment of cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and Romania.
Guests included, *inter alia*:
His Excellency Mr Andrew Noble LVO, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Romania; Her Excellency Doña Amparo Rocío, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Romania; Professor Adrian Cioroianu, the eminent Romanian historian and former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Members of the Romanian Academy, representing the pinnacle of the nation’s intellectual life; and senior members of the diplomatic corps resident in Bucharest.
The attendance of the British Ambassador underscored the lecture’s focus on a key moment in British history, while the presence of European and Romanian dignitaries highlighted the House’s contemporary role in fostering international dialogue.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening was conducted with a refined and dignified protocol befitting the occasion. Guests were received upon arrival at The Brattleby Club by a senior member of the household before being presented individually to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in the grand vestibule. A brief reception followed, allowing for introductions and conversation before the formal proceedings began.
At the appointed hour, attendees were escorted to the library, where seating was arranged to face a handsome oak lectern bearing the carved armorial crest of the House of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile formally opened the evening with a welcome address. He spoke of the House's commitment to exploring its past as a means of understanding its present duties, before introducing Dr. Alistair Finch with an appreciation of his scholarly contributions.
Dr. Finch’s lecture, which lasted for just under an hour, was followed by an engaging question-and-answer session, skilfully moderated by Honorary Lord Răzvan. The dialogue allowed guests to delve deeper into the complexities of the period. Lady Nicoleta delivered the concluding remarks, thanking Dr. Finch for his illuminating discourse and gracefully connecting the historical theme of honourable service to the House’s modern philanthropic mission. The dress code of Lounge Suit reflected the occasion’s formal, yet academic, nature.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture’s central theme of unwavering service finds its clearest expression in the House’s guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This Latin exhortation represents the two pillars upon which the Barony’s legacy rests: the fortitude to withstand adversity, as exemplified by Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln, and the honour that must govern all actions undertaken in service.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as a conquest of lands or peoples, but as a determination to overcome societal ills: to conquer ignorance through education, apathy through engagement, and suffering through focused philanthropy.
These mottos are the philosophical soul of the House’s visual identity. The armorial bearings of the House of Brattleby, which feature elements evoking the fertile lands of Lincolnshire and symbols of fealty, serve as a constant and public declaration of this commitment to land, lineage, and loyalty.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was principally an academic event, its underlying purpose was intertwined with the philanthropic mission that defines the modern House of Brattleby. The Brattleby Club itself, as an academy of etiquette and culture, is founded on the belief that the pursuit of knowledge is a virtue and that historical understanding provides the moral foundation for responsible action in the present.
This conviction directly informs the House’s support for its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This international charity works to provide specialist trauma-informed therapy and safe, restorative environments for children whose lives have been fractured by conflict, abuse, or neglect. The House’s commitment is rooted in the belief that providing stability and hope for the next generation is the ultimate expression of stewardship.
Revenue from The Brattleby Club’s activities, *inter alia*, contributes to the charitable fund from which the House makes its philanthropic disbursements. Its most public charitable endeavour remains the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala in England that raises significant funds and awareness for the charity's vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical exploration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "We see ourselves as stewards of a history that stretches back almost one thousand years. To honour the long chain of duty of which we are but one link—from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt—is to understand the gravity and privilege of our own responsibilities today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "History should not be a static monument, but a living dialogue. In exploring these moments of profound service, we reaffirm our own commitment, *Fortitudine et Honore*, and seek to apply those timeless principles to the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. This is how we enact the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing legacy
Last night’s lecture marks the first in a planned series of historical symposia to be hosted at The Brattleby Club. These events will systematically explore other significant periods and personages from the Barony’s extensive history, with future topics expected to include the political influence of John of Gaunt and the remarkable life of Nichola de la Haye.
The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is taking a close interest in the development of this academic programme, ensuring that the next generation is actively engaged in the stewardship of the family’s heritage.
These scholarly pursuits will run in parallel with the House’s unwavering philanthropic commitments, which will culminate later this year in the Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire. Through this balanced union of intellectual inquiry and charitable action, The Noble House of Brattleby continues to build upon its singular inheritance, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour remains a vibrant and relevant force.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution charged with the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century English heritage while pursuing a dynamic programme of contemporary philanthropy and cultural education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and provides dedicated support for charities championing child welfare. The House endeavours to be a force for good, bridging its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking European perspective and a steadfast commitment to service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship by tenure, seated in Lincolnshire and first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony's extensive landholdings, comprising 56 lordships, were formally documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its long history, the dignity has been held by or associated with some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated Plantagenet commander; and his heir, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s documented origins trace back to the Norman Conquest of 1066, with its first Lord being Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical figures associated with the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the castellan Nichola de la Haye. - The principal beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic work is the international charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com