# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Lancastrian Heritage at Historical Lecture
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted a private historical lecture and dinner this evening at Fishmongers’ Hall, exploring the Barony of Brattleby’s pivotal connection to the great Lancastrian dynasty during the High Middle Ages.
## The Occasion
Set against the Neo-Palladian grandeur of Fishmongers’ Hall, which has stood sentinel on the north bank of the River Thames since the 17th century, the evening was one of scholarly reflection and dignified fellowship. Guests gathered as a crisp autumn twilight descended over the City of London, the hall’s historic interiors providing a fitting atmosphere for a discourse on medieval statecraft.
The reception was held in the Court Drawing Room, its walls adorned with portraits of past Prime Wardens, before guests proceeded to the Banqueting Hall for dinner. The occasion offered a rare opportunity for attendees to consider the deep continuities of English history, away from the immediate pressures of modern life.
## Historical Context
The lecture, delivered by a leading Cambridge historian, focused on the 13th and 14th centuries, a period when the Barony of Brattleby was absorbed into England’s most powerful families. Following its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln in the wake of the Norman Conquest, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the Barony passed through several influential hands, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle.
However, it was its integration into the Lancastrian line that placed its lords at the apex of political and military authority. The tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the renowned John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, ensured that the Lord of Brattleby was central to the great affairs of the realm — from the wars in France to the delicate balance of power at the English court.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a small and distinguished company of guests from the worlds of diplomacy, academia, and European aristocracy.
Among those present were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s and Mrs Laura Popescu; Professor Sir Christopher Clark, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge, who delivered the evening’s lecture; and The Duke and Duchess of Rutland. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was also in attendance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with the formal yet intimate nature of the evening, the dress was Black Tie. Guests were received personally upon arrival by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. A champagne reception preceded the call to dinner, with a string quartet performing classical arrangements in the background.
Following dinner, guests remained seated for the historical lecture, titled *‘From Lincoln to Lancaster: Brattleby and the Making of a Dynasty’*. The proceedings were conducted with a precision that reflected the House’s deep respect for tradition, balancing formal protocol with the warmth of private hospitality, a style for which their annual events have become known.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening's theme resonated deeply with the House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words directly recall the martial virtues and chivalric code embodied by predecessors such as John of Gaunt. The House coat of arms, bearing symbols of loyalty and strength, served as a visual reminder throughout the hall of this nine-century lineage.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was noted as a modern interpretation of this historic drive. It represents not military conquest, but the determination to overcome contemporary challenges in the spheres of philanthropy and cultural diplomacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event in itself, the evening served to highlight the primary charitable focus of the House of Brattleby: Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished beneficiary provides specialist therapy and long-term support for children across the United Kingdom who have been affected by profound trauma and abuse.
Lady Nicoleta briefly addressed guests on the charity's vital work, noting that its mission to restore dignity and hope to the vulnerable is a modern expression of the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige*. The gathering was, *inter alia*, a precursor to the House's major philanthropic effort, the Annual Winter Banquet, which directly benefits the charity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta remarked on the importance of connecting with the past.
> Understanding the pivotal role that our predecessors played in the life of the nation is not merely an academic exercise; it is a duty that informs our responsibilities today. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye and the statecraft of John of Gaunt are standards to which we must always aspire. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective.
> History provides the foundations, but our work today builds the house in which future generations will live. This legacy of service, stretching back to 1066, is the *sine qua non* of our modern mission, whether in Lincolnshire, London, or Bucharest. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical lecture is one of several cultural and philanthropic initiatives undertaken by the House of Brattleby throughout the year. Preparations are already underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that represents the culmination of the House's yearly fundraising efforts for Healing the Wounded Child.
Beyond its charitable commitments in the United Kingdom, the House continues to foster cultural and educational ties through institutions such as The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, established by the Baroness in Bucharest, promotes the timeless values of European courtly tradition for a new generation, affirming the House's commitment to a legacy of honour and public service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house with ancient English roots, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage through cultural patronage, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting children recovering from trauma. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House bridges its historic legacy with a contemporary commitment to social responsibility and international goodwill, reflecting the family's distinctive Anglo-Romanian character in its service to the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has passed to some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The unbroken succession of the Barony to its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the *Domesday Book* (1086) lists its first holder as Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com