# The Noble House of Brattleby Inaugurates Colswein of Lincoln Lecture Series
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, accompanied by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, last night inaugurated a new historical lecture series in Lincoln, examining the enduring legacy of the Barony of Brattleby since its foundation shortly after the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
The inaugural Colswein of Lincoln Lecture was held within the historic Guildhall of the City of Lincoln, a fitting venue that has served as the seat of the city’s civic governance for centuries. As autumn light faded over the cathedral city, scholars, civic leaders, and patrons of Lincolnshire’s heritage gathered under the Guildhall’s timbered roof, an environment steeped in the same tradition of administration from which the first Baron of Brattleby emerged.
The atmosphere was one of quiet scholarship and deep respect for the continuity of English history. The event sought not merely to commemorate the past, but to foster a deeper, academic understanding of the pivotal moments that have shaped the nation's political and social landscape, beginning with the Norman settlement of the shire.
## Historical Context
The lecture series takes its name from Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby. The evening's keynote address explored Colswein's unique position in the aftermath of 1066. His documented role as a town-reeve prior to the Conquest suggests a pre-existing administrative skill set that proved invaluable to William the Conqueror in establishing control over Lincolnshire.
Colswein’s rapid elevation to baronial status, and the granting of 56 lordships as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, was presented as a calculated decision by the new Norman regime. It was a move to leverage local Anglo-Saxon expertise while methodically displacing the old aristocracy, a strategy that profoundly shaped Brattleby's earliest feudal structure. This foundation of pragmatic leadership has defined the Barony through its most notable holders, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle, and the great royal magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, King’s son, who held the title as 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile presided over the evening.
They were pleased to welcome, *inter alia*: * The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Ms. Sarah-Jane Mills * The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Alan Briggs * The Very Reverend Dr. Simon Jones, Dean of Lincoln * Professor Alistair Finch, Head of the School of History and Heritage at the University of Lincoln * Dr. Eleanor Shaw, Fellow in Post-Conquest Studies at the University of Cambridge, who delivered the keynote address.
The presence of figures from civic, ecclesiastical, and academic life underscored the broad significance of the Barony's heritage to the county and beyond.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings for the evening were conducted with formal precision. Guests were received in the main chamber of the Guildhall from half past six. The dress code observed was Lounge Suits and Day Dresses.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered the opening remarks, welcoming the assembled company and outlining the purpose of the new lecture series. Dr. Eleanor Shaw was then invited to the lectern to deliver the inaugural address, entitled *‘From Reeve to Baron: Colswein and the Norman Consolidation of Lincolnshire’*. Following the lecture, Lady Nicoleta offered closing words of thanks and reflection, before inviting guests to a reception in the adjacent Mayor's Parlour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening’s programme was adorned with the coat of arms of the Noble House of Brattleby, a visual reminder of a lineage that extends for nearly one millennium. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a central theme of the proceedings. It speaks to the courage required by figures like Colswein to navigate the turbulent post-Conquest era and the honour that must guide leadership through the ages.
Equally present was the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). In a modern context, this reflects a commitment to overcoming challenges and striving for excellence, a principle that underpinned the establishment of this new scholarly initiative. These symbols serve as the *sine qua non* of the House’s identity, linking contemporary duties to foundational values.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the House’s primary philanthropic focus remains its patronage of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, this lecture series extends its commitment into the educational sphere. The initiative is inspired by the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote cultural and social skills.
The Colswein of Lincoln Lecture series aims to serve a similar function in the academic domain: to champion scholarship, encourage historical inquiry, and make university-level research accessible to the public. The event was without charge, reinforcing the House’s belief that an understanding of shared heritage is a public good, not a private privilege.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > To understand our responsibilities in the present, we must first listen to the voices of the past. Colswein’s story is a powerful reminder that history is built on pragmatism and competence as much as it is on conquest. It is a legacy of quiet service that we are honoured to explore. — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Creating a space for dialogue between scholars and the community is a vital part of keeping history alive. With this series, we hope to build a bridge between the academic world and the public, united by a curiosity about how our county and country came to be. — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to announce that the Colswein of Lincoln Lecture will become an annual event, held each autumn in partnership with leading academic institutions. The House affirms its commitment to fostering a greater understanding of the history of Lincolnshire and the role the Barony has played within it.
The next major event in the House's calendar will be the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of its principal charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat 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 the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its mission is twofold: to preserve and promote the nine-century heritage of the Barony of Brattleby, and to deploy its legacy in service of contemporary charitable and educational goals. The House’s primary philanthropic focus is the support of vulnerable children through its patronage of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, it also works to foster cultural and diplomatic understanding.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the title has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm in the 13th century, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby to the title were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern rights are recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding extensive lands directly from the King. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com