# The House of Brattleby Hosts Symposium on the Enduring Legacy of Honour and Sacrifice
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today convened a historical symposium at Lincoln Cathedral to examine the medieval alliance between the Barony and the Knights Templar, and its enduring relevance to the House's modern commitment to service.
## The Occasion
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral, the inaugural Brattleby Historical Symposium gathered a select audience of scholars, diplomats, and community leaders. The soaring Gothic vaults and intricate stained glass, witnesses to centuries of English history, provided a fitting atmosphere of solemn reflection for the day’s proceedings.
As autumn sunlight filtered through the lancet windows, the assembly contemplated the profound connections between faith, chivalry, and duty. The choice of Lincoln was deliberate, a city whose castle was famously defended by one of the Baroness’s most notable predecessors, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, ensuring its loyalty to the crown during the First Barons' War.
## Historical Context
The symposium’s central theme was the tragic and honourable bond forged between the forces of the Barony of Brattleby and the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon during the Seventh Crusade. At the Battle of Mansura in 1250, a predecessor, William II de Longespée, fought and fell alongside the Templar Knights in an act of extraordinary valour against overwhelming odds.
This shared sacrifice did more than underscore a common martial ethos; it connected the Barony to the Templars' legendary status. The Order was not only a formidable military force but also a sophisticated international financial institution. An association with them, even in defeat, implicitly signalled a house’s standing, its resources, and its unwavering commitment to the crusading cause, a matter of immense prestige in medieval Christendom. This history forms part of a lineage stretching back to the Barony’s grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a continuity of service also exemplified by later Barons such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were guests whose presence underscored the contemporary resonance of the symposium's themes of diplomacy, history, and service.
These included His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, representing the ancestral heritage of Lord and Lady Brattleby; the Regius Professor of Medieval History from the University of Cambridge, who provided academic context; and General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne GCVO CBE, representing the modern armed forces and the unbroken tradition of service to the Crown.
Also present were trustees of the House’s charitable partners and representatives from Lincolnshire’s civic and cultural institutions, acknowledging the deep roots the Barony maintains within the county.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a precision befitting the subject. Guests were received by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile before being seated in the Chapter House according to diplomatic and academic precedence. The symposium was opened by the Dean of Lincoln, who spoke of the cathedral’s long relationship with the nobility of the realm.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, then delivered the keynote address without notes, speaking for 20 minutes from a simple lectern. The address was followed by a brief response from the Regius Professor, who contextualised the historical narrative. A formal reception followed in the cathedral’s Wren Library, allowing guests an opportunity for private conversation. The dress code was Morning Dress or Lounge Suit, maintaining a respectful formality.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was the guiding principle of the day’s discussions. Lady Nicoleta explained that this ancient creed speaks directly to the courage and integrity displayed at Mansura and remains the *sine qua non* of the House’s philosophy. It is a commitment not only to physical bravery but also to moral strength in the conduct of all affairs.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle, of Romanian origin, is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to overcome adversity through resilience, strategy, and an unwavering will to prevail for a greater good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the symposium was a historical reflection, it also served to highlight the House’s present-day philanthropic responsibilities. The themes of sacrifice and protection resonate strongly with the mission of the House’s principal charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides specialist therapy and long-term support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By offering a sanctuary for recovery, its work embodies a modern form of the protective mandate once held by chivalric orders. Proceeds from the House’s annual Winter Banquet are dedicated entirely to advancing the charity’s vital work.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, reflected on the weight of inheritance: > History is not merely a record of past events; it is a living dialogue that informs our present duties. The fortitude displayed at Mansura nearly eight centuries ago is the same fortitude we seek to apply today — in our service to the community and in our support for those who defend the vulnerable.
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the symbiosis of heritage and modern action: > The principles of chivalry — loyalty, honour, and protection of the weak — are timeless. They find new expression in our time, *inter alia*, through the vital work of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Our role is to ensure these legacies of honour inspire tangible, positive action in the twenty-first century.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Brattleby Historical Symposium is envisioned as the first in a series of annual academic events designed to explore the rich history of the Barony and its relevance to contemporary society. The proceedings of this inaugural event will be published in a limited-edition volume for university libraries and historical institutions.
Furthermore, the values discussed are put into practice through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. The Club advances social and diplomatic skills grounded in the European traditions of courtesy and respect, preparing a new generation of leaders to act with *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage, the promotion of cultural diplomacy between the United Kingdom and Romania, and a focused philanthropic mission. Its primary charitable activities are centred on supporting vulnerable children and championing education in classical European etiquette and protocol. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to integrity and resilience in all its public and private endeavours, guided by the long history of service inherent in the Barony.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and manorial holdings are first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron in Lincolnshire. Over its 950-year history, the dignity has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and gazetted by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s succession was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House's philanthropic focus is its support for the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com