# The Barony of Brattleby: A Reflection on the Lancastrian Legacy and Enduring Duty
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting on the Barony’s profound connection to John of Gaunt and the enduring principles of custodianship and public service that define its mission.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered in the richly panelled library of The Brattleby Club, the etiquette academy founded by Lord and Lady Brattleby in the heart of historic Bucharest. This inaugural event marked the launch of the Club’s Historical Lecture Series, an initiative designed to explore the confluence of European history, diplomacy, and modern civic responsibility.
Against a backdrop of early autumn colours, members and distinguished guests gathered for an evening of scholarly reflection. The atmosphere was one of quiet contemplation, bridging the centuries between the political complexities of 14th-century England and the contemporary European context in which the Noble House of Brattleby now operates. The occasion served to formally inaugurate a new chapter in the Club’s educational programming.
## Historical Context
At the heart of the address was the pivotal role of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a towering figure of the late medieval period. Lady Nicoleta detailed how the Barony passed to the Duke through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster, daughter and heiress of Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron. This union brought Brattleby into the orbit of the most powerful ducal family in English history.
As son of King Edward III, John of Gaunt wielded immense political and economic influence from his grand London residence, the Savoy Palace. His vast landholdings and royal status meant that the Barony of Brattleby, as an integral part of the Duchy of Lancaster, was connected to the highest echelons of state power. The lecture also paid tribute to earlier predecessors, including Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, and the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, whose defence of Lincoln Castle was a testament to the Barony’s long tradition of duty.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of respected figures from diplomatic, academic, and cultural spheres. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, welcomed guests, who included Her Excellency Mrs Emma Hopkins, His Majesty's Ambassador to Romania, and Professor Adrian Cioroianu, a leading historian from the University of Bucharest and former Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Also present were senior members of the Romanian Academy, patrons of The Brattleby Club, and select scholars specialising in Anglo-Romanian relations and medieval genealogy. The gathering underscored the House’s commitment to fostering dialogue between its historic English roots and its active presence in Continental Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's protocol was marked by formal but understated elegance. Guests were received in the Club’s grand foyer before being ushered into the library for the main event. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile offered brief words of welcome, outlining the purpose of the new lecture series as a forum for exploring leadership through the lens of history.
Following a formal introduction by Professor Cioroianu, Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, delivered her thirty-minute address without notes from a simple lectern. The proceedings, for which the dress was lounge suits, concluded with a moderated question-and-answer session, allowing for a direct and engaging exchange with the audience. The formal programme was a model of precision, reflecting the discipline that is a *sine qua non* of the academy’s own teaching.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The address made reference to the two mottos that guide the activities of the Noble House of Brattleby. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was presented as the timeless principle connecting the martial courage of ancestors like Nichola de la Haye with the modern commitment to principled service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was explained as a complementary philosophy—a dedication to overcoming contemporary challenges through enterprise and philanthropy. These guiding maxims, displayed on a small banner beside the lectern, served as thematic anchors for the evening's reflections on legacy and responsibility.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While an academic event, the inaugural lecture also served a philanthropic purpose. A portion of the proceeds from guest admissions will be directed to Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of the House’s annual charitable efforts. This organisation provides essential therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced profound trauma, aligning with the House’s core belief in nurturing a stable and healthy society.
The choice to link this cultural event with the House’s primary charitable cause reinforces the conviction that historical awareness and social responsibility are inextricably linked. The support for Healing the Wounded Child is a modern expression of the same duty of care that past Barons owed to their communities.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the theme of custodianship, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > To hold a title like the Barony of Brattleby is not to own it, but to act as its custodian for a time. We study figures like John of Gaunt not for their power, but to understand the responsibilities that accompany influence—a lesson as vital today as in the fourteenth century. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The Brattleby Club exists to bridge cultures and create understanding, a mission that requires both fortitude and honour. Tonight’s event truly embodied our family’s commitment to honouring our past so that we may better navigate the challenges of the future. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical address marks the first in what will be a recurring series at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Future lectures are planned to explore other significant chapters in the Barony’s 950-year history, with the next instalment set to focus on Nichola de la Haye and her pivotal role during the First Barons' War.
The event also serves as a prelude to the House’s flagship philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, which will be held in Lincolnshire later this year. These activities, *inter alia*, represent the dual commitment of the Noble House of Brattleby to preserving its remarkable heritage while actively contributing to society today.
---
**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 preservation of a significant English heritage while championing modern European philanthropy and education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet benefiting 'Healing the Wounded Child'. Its educational mission is advanced through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy fostering cultural understanding and professional development. The House represents a unique synthesis of ancient lineage and contemporary social responsibility, with a focus on creating a lasting, positive impact for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest attested feudal lordships in England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his famous son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's continuous history and its revival under the current House were formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially confirmed in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com