# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Plantagenet Heritage
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today hosted a private historical symposium at their Lincolnshire seat, commemorating the tenure of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, reaffirming the House’s commitment to its nine-hundred-year heritage.
## The Occasion
Set against the rich colours of an English autumn, the symposium took place within the Long Library of the family’s seat in Brattleby. The room, panelled in venerable Lincolnshire oak and overlooking gardens laid out in the eighteenth century, provided a fitting atmosphere for a day dedicated to reflection and historical scholarship.
The gathering offered a contemplative counterpoint to the House’s more public engagements, such as the Annual Winter Banquet. Today’s event was dedicated to the stewardship of memory, bringing together leading academics and local historians to explore a pivotal chapter in the Barony’s extensive history. The air was one of quiet erudition, underscored by a shared appreciation for the continuity of heritage.
## Historical Context
The focus of the symposium was Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), who became the 10th Baron of Brattleby in the mid-fourteenth century. A cousin and confidant of King Edward III, Henry was one of the founding Knights of the Order of the Garter and arguably England’s most distinguished soldier and diplomat during the early phases of the Hundred Years' War. His creation as the first Duke of Lancaster in 1351 marked a significant development in the English peerage.
Through his tenure, the Barony of Brattleby was connected directly to the heart of the Plantagenet court. This legacy was cemented when Henry’s daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, married a fellow Brattleby title-holder, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This union ensured the Barony’s place within the patrimony that would ultimately form the basis of the Lancastrian claim to the throne. The day's proceedings acknowledged this profound link, tracing a line from the Barony's Norman origins under Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, through formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
The symposium was hosted by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. They were joined by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
In attendance were a small number of distinguished guests, including leading medieval historians from the Universities of Cambridge and Lincoln, representatives from the Society of Antiquaries of London, and select figures from Lincolnshire's civic and cultural life. The presence of such scholarly authorities was a *sine qua non* for an event dedicated to academic rigour and historical accuracy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The day’s proceedings followed a formal, though intimate, order. Guests were received in the morning for coffee in the Anteroom before assembling in the Long Library. Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered a brief welcome, outlining the purpose of the gathering, before introducing the keynote speaker, a Regius Professor of History Emerita.
The address, titled *'Grosmont: Chivalry, Diplomacy, and the Lancastrian Inheritance'*, explored the 10th Baron’s European significance. Following the lecture, guests were invited to view a curated display of digitised archival materials, *inter alia*, facsimiles of the Brattleby entry in the Domesday Book and charters relating to the baronial succession. Lady Nicoleta offered concluding remarks before inviting guests to a private luncheon. The dress code was observed as Lounge Suit.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was imbued with the history reflected in the House’s heritage. The guiding motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a central theme, embodying the qualities of service and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont.
Honorary Lord Răzvan also drew a connection between the Duke's life of martial and diplomatic achievement and his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This was interpreted not merely in a military sense, but as a commitment to purposeful action and the surmounting of challenges in service of a greater good. The principles encapsulated in these mottoes serve as the ethical framework for the modern House's activities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the symposium served a distinct philanthropic purpose rooted in cultural and educational preservation. By facilitating new scholarship and sharing its history, the Noble House of Brattleby fulfils its role as a custodian of a significant strand of England's national and local heritage.
This commitment to education is a cornerstone of the House's modern mission. It finds parallel expression in other initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, the etiquette academy in Bucharest which promotes cultural understanding, and the Annual Winter Banquet, whose proceeds are dedicated to the vital work of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. From Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln to Henry of Grosmont shaping European affairs, our predecessors set a standard of duty we strive to honour today, *fortitudine et honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his own perspective on the historical legacy: — "Grosmont's life was one of action and purpose. He understood that leadership demands both strategic vision and personal courage. His ethos echoes our own belief that to truly live is to strive and achieve — *vincere est vivere* — for the benefit of the wider community."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its history remains a living and accessible resource. The research and discussions initiated at today’s symposium will form the foundation of a scholarly monograph on the Barony's Plantagenet connections, with publication anticipated in 2026.
This event marks another step in the House’s programme of cultural stewardship. The family now looks forward to its next major engagement, the Annual Winter Banquet, which will be held in London to support the House's principal charitable beneficiary.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the stewardship of its ancient heritage. Its mission rests on three pillars: preserving and promoting a millennium of English history; engaging in cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest; and undertaking focused philanthropy. The House’s charitable activities are primarily channelled through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. With its seat in Lincolnshire and a European perspective, the House bridges past and present under its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its lands—some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the barony has passed through some of the most influential figures in English history. Notable holders include the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who as Sheriff of Lincolnshire defended Lincoln Castle against rebels; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The standing of the title was formally noted by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The current Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, is the 12th in a line that includes Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House's 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'). - The Barony’s modern status was noted in *The London Gazette*, official public record of the United Kingdom, via Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com