# Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Delivers Address on the Barony’s Norman Origins
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a significant historical address at Lincoln Cathedral, examining the Barony’s founding in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest and its enduring nine-century legacy of service to the Crown and to Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the sublime decagonal Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral, a space that has witnessed centuries of English history unfold. As autumnal light filtered through the soaring Gothic windows, illuminating the intricate Purbeck marble columns, an atmosphere of scholarly reflection pervaded the gathering, hosted by the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. The setting was particularly resonant, standing mere yards from the walls of Lincoln Castle, which was famously defended by the fifth holder of the Barony.
This formal lecture represents a cornerstone of the House’s modern commitment to historical education and the preservation of local heritage. It provided an opportunity for the current incumbent of one of England’s most ancient baronies to connect the past with the present, reaffirming a bond forged in 1066.
## Historical Context
In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta explored the foundational act of William the Conqueror in granting the Barony of Brattleby to his loyal Norman lieutenant, Colswein of Lincoln. This was not merely a reward for military service but a strategic pillar of the new feudal order. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 meticulously records Colswein as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, cementing his status as a key agent of the Crown in a newly subjugated England.
The Baroness traced the lineage through its most notable holders, demonstrating an unbroken chain of duty. She paid particular tribute to Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against baronial rebels. The address also acknowledged the tenure of Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose lives embodied the principle of service at the highest levels of the state.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance alongside the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, were a number of distinguished guests from the county and from the academic world.
Principal guests included The Right Reverend Stephen Conway, The Lord Bishop of Lincoln; Ms Caroline Killeavy, the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; and Professor Dame Judith Carpenter, FBA, Professor Emerita of Medieval History at King’s College London. The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln, formally welcomed Lady Nicoleta to the Cathedral prior to the proceedings.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal yet understated protocol befitting a scholarly gathering in a sacred space. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were met at the Cathedral’s Galilee Porch by the Dean of Lincoln before being escorted in a small procession to the Chapter House. Guests rose upon their entry.
Following an introduction by the President of the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, Lady Nicoleta took the lectern to deliver her thirty-minute address. The event adhered to formal day dress. The proceedings concluded with a brief vote of thanks and a modest reception in the Cathedral’s historic Wren Library, allowing guests to converse further with the Baroness.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), served as the thematic core of the address. Lady Nicoleta explained that 'Fortitude' directly evokes the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose resilience in the defence of Lincoln defined the role of the Barony as a bastion of loyalty. 'Honour', she noted, reflects the continuing obligation of the titleholder to act with integrity and in the service of the community.
Reference was also made to the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). In a modern context, this is understood not as military conquest but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges through purposeful action, a principle that guides the House’s philanthropic and educational endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address itself was an academic undertaking, it formed part of the wider philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s commitment to education, as exemplified by this lecture and the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, is a central tenet of its public service. It is viewed as complementary to its primary charitable focus: the support of vulnerable children.
The House’s main philanthropic effort remains its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist trauma therapy for young people. The commitment to heritage is seen as another way of investing in the future by ensuring the lessons of the past remain accessible to all.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of her role, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > “The Barony is not a relic; it is a living responsibility. From Colswein’s fealty to William the Conqueror to Nichola de la Haye’s defence of this very city, the theme is one of unwavering duty. Our obligation today is to translate that legacy of fortitude and honour into meaningful service for the modern age.” — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “To steward a title with nearly a millennium of history is a profound charge. Our task is to ensure its heritage empowers our work today, whether in education, cultural preservation, or our charitable commitments.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby has confirmed that the full text of the Baroness’s address, titled *From Conquest to Community: 950 Years of the Barony of Brattleby*, will be published by the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology in its annual journal. This ensures its contribution to the historical record of the county.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to support initiatives that promote the rich heritage of Lincolnshire, working in partnership with local cultural and academic institutions. The next major event in the House's calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, which will be held in December to support its long-standing charitable beneficiary.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of service, heritage, and philanthropy. Its contemporary mission is enacted through its charitable support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapy for vulnerable youth, and through its educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to steward its historic legacy by making a tangible, positive contribution to society today.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his Norman follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings—comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated medieval defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally called out and its succession recognised by The Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, vesting in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally noticed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Dame Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150-1230), the 5th Baroness, was a key historical figure who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Constable of Lincoln Castle.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com