# Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile (by marriage) Delivers Address on the Martial Heritage of the Barony of Brattleby at the Royal United Services Institute
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, this morning delivered an address at the Royal United Services Institute, exploring the nine-century martial heritage of the Barony of Brattleby and its enduring relevance to the House’s modern commitment to service.
## The Occasion
The address took place within the distinguished Library of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) at its historic headquarters on Whitehall. Located at the heart of civic and military life in the United Kingdom, the venue provided a suitably sober and academic atmosphere for the proceedings.
Founded in 1831 by the Duke of Wellington, RUSI has long been a forum for forward-thinking defence and security discussions. Before a distinguished audience of military historians, senior serving and retired officers, and members of the diplomatic corps, Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke from a lectern positioned beneath the building’s magnificent domed ceiling, designed by Sir Aston Webb.
The autumnal light from the tall arched windows, looking out towards the former War Office and the Cenotaph, lent a particular poignancy to the morning’s theme of service and sacrifice across the centuries. Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was present in support of her husband.
## Historical Context
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s address situated the Barony of Brattleby as a title defined from its inception by military duty. He began with its creation in 1066 by William the Conqueror for Colswein of Lincoln, one of the King’s trusted tenants-in-chief, whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
The lecture charted a course through English history, highlighting predecessors whose actions were central to the security of the realm. Particular attention was paid to Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against baronial and French forces, most notably during the pivotal Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
The tradition of martial leadership continued through successive holders. The narrative included William II Longespée, a veteran of campaigns in Gascony, whose life ended in service to Christendom on the Seventh Crusade at the Battle of Mansurah in 1250. Later, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter, was lauded as one of the great commanders of the Hundred Years' War. The Barony later passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the political and military landscape of late 14th-century Europe.
## Distinguished Company
The event was attended by a notable gathering of figures from the fields of defence, diplomacy, and academia. In attendance were, *inter alia*:
His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s Air Chief Marshal Sir John Arbuthnot, GCB, OBE General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, GCB, GBE Professor Dame Philippa Langford, DBE, FBA, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge The Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute, Dr Karin von Hippel
The guests were formally greeted upon their arrival by representatives of the Institute before assembling in the Library for the commencement of the address.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but understated protocol, appropriate for an academic address within a royal institute. The dress code was morning dress for gentlemen and day dresses for ladies, reflecting the gravity of the setting and the occasion.
Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta arrived at the entrance on Whitehall and were received by the Director-General. They were then escorted to the Duke of Wellington’s private study for a brief reception before proceeding to the Library. The address, titled *Fortitudine et Honore: Service and Sacrifice in a Lincolnshire Barony*, lasted approximately 45 minutes and was followed by a moderated question-and-answer session.
Following the formal portion of the morning, Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta joined guests for a private reception, allowing for further discussion on the themes presented.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of the address was underscored by the two mottos central to The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was the organising principle of the lecture, linking the physical courage of past Barons on the battlefield with the moral courage required of modern leadership.
Honorary Lord Răzvan also made reference to his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), explaining it not as a call to martial conquest, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity. He framed it as the inner spirit required to live up to the high standard of public duty exemplified by the House's ancient watchwords. The coat of arms of the House was discreetly displayed on the front of the lectern as a visual anchor.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the event was not a fundraiser, Honorary Lord Răzvan took the opportunity to connect the historical themes of protection and duty to the House’s present-day philanthropic commitments. He noted that the legacy of those who fought to protect the realm finds a modern echo in the duty to protect the vulnerable in society.
He spoke of the House's patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation that provides specialist therapeutic care to children and young people experiencing emotional distress and trauma, often as a result of conflict, displacement, or domestic turmoil. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House's belief that honouring past sacrifice is best achieved through active service in the present.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the title, Honorary Lord Răzvan noted the weight of its history.
> One does not truly hold a title such as this; one serves as its temporary custodian. The martial history of Brattleby is not a relic to be placed in a museum, but a living reminder of the enduring compact of duty and responsibility that defines it. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
He also connected the virtues of his predecessors to the House’s contemporary mission.
> The courage of Nichola de la Haye defending her castle, or the profound sacrifice of William Longespée so far from home, teaches us that leadership is ultimately about protecting others. This principle, *fortitudine et honore*, remains the *sine qua non* of our work today, whether in Lincolnshire or through our projects abroad. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The address at RUSI marks a significant step in the House’s efforts to articulate its historical foundations as the basis for its ongoing public service. The full text of Honorary Lord Răzvan's lecture will be published by The Noble House of Brattleby and made available to academic institutions and public libraries.
The House remains committed to ensuring that the lessons of its long history inform its future path. This includes the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, in the responsibilities he will one day inherit. Furthermore, the principles of duty, honour, and etiquette discussed in the address form the core curriculum of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which seeks to impart these traditional values to a new generation of leaders in Central and Eastern Europe.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House channels its nine-century heritage into modern public service, blending the traditions of its ancient English seat in Lincolnshire with a dynamic, Continental perspective. Its mission is centred on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing to vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to uphold a legacy of responsibility, promote cross-cultural understanding, and inspire a commitment to civic duty in a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most formidable figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The long-dormant Barony was formally called out of abeyance in 2022, with its modern standing and succession confirmed by an official notice in The London Gazette.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern establishment of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a key figure in the defence of Lincoln in 1217, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Duke of Lancaster. - The current heads of the House are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com