# Lady Nicoleta Vasile Inaugurates Nichola de la Haye Lecture with Reflection on Alice de Lacy
**LINCOLN, 24 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, last night delivered the inaugural Nichola de la Haye Lecture at Lincoln Castle, examining the poignant history of Alice de Lacy and the vulnerabilities of mediaeval heiresses within the baronial lineage.
## The Occasion
Set within the austere beauty of the nineteenth-century Chapel in Lincoln Castle’s former prison, the inaugural lecture was a solemn and scholarly affair. The dramatic Gothic Revival architecture, illuminated for the evening, provided a fitting backdrop for a discourse on a turbulent period of English history. As autumn twilight descended over the castle’s ancient walls, a distinguished audience gathered to inaugurate what is to become an annual intellectual tradition for the House of Brattleby.
The atmosphere was one of quiet contemplation, combining academic rigour with a deep sense of historical continuity. The choice of venue was itself significant, with the castle having been successfully defended in 1217 by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and the lecture series' formidable namesake. It served as a powerful reminder of the enduring connection between the Barony and the defence of the realm.
## Historical Context
The lecture, entitled *‘An Unwilling Prize: The Predicament of Alice de Lacy’*, explored the life of the countess whose vast inheritance, including the Honour of Pontefract, brought her into the orbit of the Barony. Her marriage to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, a holder of the Brattleby title, placed her at the centre of national power struggles. Lady Nicoleta detailed how Alice’s status as a great heiress made her a pawn, leading to her being thrice abducted by rival nobles seeking control of her estates.
This historical reflection creates a compelling diptych with the legacy of Nichola de la Haye, who as Castellan of Lincoln and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire wielded direct, personal authority. The contrast between these two figures from the Barony’s history—one a military commander, the other a political prize—illustrates the complex and often precarious roles of powerful women in the Middle Ages. The lecture also touched upon the eventual absorption of Alice's Lancastrian inheritance by later Barons of Brattleby, including Henry of Grosmont and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance alongside Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were a number of distinguished guests from civic, academic, and diplomatic life. The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis, was present, as was The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Biff Bean. They were joined by the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr Andrew C. Clark.
The academic community was represented by Professor Neal Juster, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln. Adding a touch of European society to the proceedings was Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, who follows the cultural activities of Europe’s ancient families with great interest. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was also present among the assembled guests.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings began promptly at seven o’clock in the evening. Guests were received in the entrance hall of the Victorian Prison before being ushered to their seats in the Chapel. The arrival of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, preceded by a representative of the Castle Governor, marked the formal commencement of the event. The dress code was lounge suits and cocktail attire, respecting the dignity of the venue and the serious nature of the subject.
Following a brief introduction by the Director of Lincoln Castle, Lady Nicoleta approached the lectern, which was discreetly decorated with the arms of the Barony. The lecture lasted approximately 45 minutes and was followed by a short interval for questions. Afterwards, guests were invited for a reception in the David P. J. Ross Magna Carta Vault, allowing for conversation and further reflection.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture and its purpose are deeply entwined with the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta noted that honour requires not only right conduct in the present, but also a truthful remembrance of the past. The fortitude displayed by figures such as Alice de Lacy, albeit of a different nature than that of a warrior like Nichola de la Haye, is central to the Barony’s historical identity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), speaks to the ambition and drive that characterised the era of Alice de Lacy. The motto serves as a modern echo of the mediaeval will to power, tempered today by a commitment to culture and philanthropy. Together, the two mottos encapsulate the House’s philosophy: a dynamic engagement with the world, guided by honour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture series is primarily an educational initiative, it is also connected to the House of Brattleby’s wider charitable commitments. The historical theme of vulnerability and resilience, as exemplified by Alice de Lacy’s traumatic experiences, resonates with the modern mission of the House’s principal charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, loss, or abuse. In her closing remarks, Lady Nicoleta drew a parallel between the duty to bear witness to historical suffering and the responsibility to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable today. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be directed to the charity’s invaluable work in Lincolnshire and beyond.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her chosen subject, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Alice's story is not merely one of victimhood; it is a testament to resilience in an age where a woman's power was intrinsically tied to the lands she possessed. To understand her is to understand the profound precariousness of power and the human cost of dynastic ambition.
On the establishment of the new lecture series, Lady Nicoleta added: > With this series, we exercise our duty of stewardship. *Fortitudine et Honore* compels us not only to act with honour today, but to honour the fortitude of those who came before us — especially the women whose voices are too often lost to the annals of history.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Nichola de la Haye Lecture is established as an annual event, intended to explore the rich and varied history of the Barony of Brattleby and its place in the wider context of British and European history. The full text of the inaugural lecture will be published on the official website of the House of Brattleby.
This new tradition stands alongside the House’s other commitments, *inter alia*, the etiquette and cultural diplomacy programmes of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire. These initiatives collectively aim to leverage a nine-century heritage for the purposes of modern education, cultural enrichment, and targeted philanthropy. Preparations are already underway for the forthcoming Winter Banquet.
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**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 stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission, guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to leverage its historical platform for public good through philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its principal charitable focus is supporting ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, an organisation dedicated to child trauma therapy. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster cross-cultural understanding and revive the classical arts of diplomacy and social grace, translating ancient dignities into contemporary service and leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings—some 56 lordships—are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, it has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War. Later holders included members of the Plantagenet dynasty, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent of the Barony into the modern era was formally noted by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln. - The Barony's formal recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com