# Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile (by marriage) Delivers Historical Address at the University of Lincoln
**LINCOLN, 18 October 2023** — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, today delivered a keynote address at the University of Lincoln, exploring the strategic foundations of the Barony of Brattleby following the Norman Conquest and its enduring legacy in the governance of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
Set against the scholarly backdrop of the University of Lincoln’s Great Central Warehouse Library, the address took place before an assembly of academics, local dignitaries, and postgraduate students of medieval history. The autumnal light filtering through the restored Victorian architecture of the Brayford Pool campus provided a fitting atmosphere for a disquisition on the county’s nine-century-old Norman settlement.
The event, titled ‘*Vincere Est Vivere*: Conquest & Consolidation in Post-1066 Lincolnshire’, formed part of the University’s annual historical lecture series. The occasion marked a moment of reflection, connecting the ancient lineage of one of England’s oldest baronies with the contemporary academic life of its home county.
## Historical Context
In his address, Honorary Lord Răzvan traced the origins of the Barony to the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Hastings. The grant of Brattleby by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, was presented not as a mere reward but as a calculated act of statecraft. Lincolnshire, with its fertile lands and North Sea coastline, was a region of immense strategic importance, vulnerable to Scandinavian incursions and central to the economic subjugation of England.
The placement of a trusted Norman feudatory in command of 56 local lordships, an extensive holding meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, was a *sine qua non* for securing the North. This appointment established a pattern of administrative control that would define the region for centuries. Honorary Lord Răzvan drew a direct line from this foundational act to the tenure of later holders, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *de facto*, whose defence of Lincoln Castle was pivotal, and the royal power wielded by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, the 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the invitation of the University were, *inter alia*:
* Professor Neal Juster, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln * The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Biff Bean * The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln * Dr Andrew Kydd, Head of the School of History and Heritage
The presence of senior figures from the City’s civic, academic, and ecclesiastical spheres underscored the deep integration of the Barony’s history within the fabric of Lincolnshire’s collective identity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings commenced with the arrival of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who was formally received at the University entrance by the Vice-Chancellor. Following a brief private reception with the principal guests, a small procession, led by the University Mace, entered the main lecture theatre. The dress code was lounge suits and academic dress, with senior faculty in full doctoral robes.
The Vice-Chancellor delivered a formal introduction, outlining the historical significance of the Barony before inviting Honorary Lord Răzvan to the lectern. The address, lasting 45 minutes, was followed by a moderated question-and-answer session with students and faculty. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the Head of the School of History and Heritage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture’s theme was subtly referenced by the House of Brattleby’s two governing mottos. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring resilience and integrity required to steward a title through nearly a millennium of English history. It evokes the spirit of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, who governed with singular fortitude during the First Barons' War.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), provided the title for his address. He explained it not in the martial sense of his Norman forebears, but as a modern interpretation: a call to meet contemporary challenges with purpose, determination, and a will to create positive, lasting impact.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The occasion also served to announce the establishment of The Brattleby Scholarship in Norman Studies. Funded by The Noble House of Brattleby, the new postgraduate grant will support one Master’s degree student annually at the University of Lincoln whose research focuses on the Anglo-Norman period.
This initiative complements the House’s primary philanthropic commitments, which are directed toward the international charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing psychological recovery and support for children affected by trauma. The new scholarship extends the House’s charitable focus to the educational and heritage sectors, reinforcing its commitment to its home county.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony, Honorary Lord Răzvan remarked in his address: > To study the actions of Colswein of Lincoln is to understand that the Norman Conquest was not a single event, but a meticulous, generation-long project of administration. The history of Brattleby is not merely a private chronicle; it is a thread in the national tapestry, telling a story of how England was made.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who was also present, commented on the new scholarship: > It is our duty not merely to be stewards of this history, but to ensure it inspires future generations. This grant is a small part of that commitment—a bridge between the world of the *Domesday Book* and the scholars who will decode it for the century to come.
## A Continuing Legacy
The announcement of The Brattleby Scholarship marks a new chapter in the House's engagement with Lincolnshire’s heritage. The full text of Honorary Lord Răzvan’s address will be published by the University of Lincoln Press in early 2024.
This educational commitment runs parallel to the House's international work, most notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which promotes cultural exchange and social refinement. By looking to its foundational past in England and its dynamic future on the Continent, the House of Brattleby continues to embody its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission balances the preservation of its historic legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid the recovery of vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster greater cultural understanding and personal development, applying the timeless principles of fortitude and honour to the challenges of the 21st century.
**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, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was tasked with securing Lincolnshire for the new regime and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in the county. Over the centuries, the Barony passed through several of England’s most powerful aristocratic and royal lines. Notable holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century Sheriff of Lincolnshire who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic title is formally recognised by His Majesty’s College of Arms, with its current status confirmed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, of 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln. - The 1st Baron’s holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com