# A Legacy of Service: The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted The Brattleby Club's annual historical lecture in London, commemorating the pivotal role of their predecessor, the 3rd Earl of Lincoln, in the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300.
## The Occasion
Set against the distinguished backdrop of The In & Out (Naval and Military Club) in St James's Square, the event gathered members and esteemed guests on a crisp autumn evening. The club, established in 1862 and occupying the former London residence of Nancy Astor, provided a fittingly historic atmosphere for an evening dedicated to reflection upon military heritage and enduring duty.
The annual lecture serves as a flagship academic event for The Brattleby Club, the etiquette academy founded by the House. It aims to connect contemporary leadership principles with the nine centuries of tradition embodied by the Barony of Brattleby, reinforcing the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The evening's lecture focused on the Siege of Caerlaverock, a key campaign during the First War of Scottish Independence led by King Edward I. The central figure of discussion was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a notable holder of the Barony of Brattleby and a commander at the siege. His leadership was immortalised in the *Roll of Caerlaverock*, one of the earliest and most significant heraldic manuscripts to have survived from the medieval period.
The presentation drew a direct line from the Barony’s founding under Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror in 1066, to the martial responsibilities of his successors. The lecture underscored a continuous thread of service to the Crown, from Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle, to the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), whose influence shaped the nation.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of distinguished guests from the diplomatic, academic, and military spheres. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome, *inter alia*:
- His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's - Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia - General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, GCB, CBE, DL, former Chief of the General Staff - Professor Alistair Finch, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and a leading historian of the High Medieval period
Following their formal presentation, guests were received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. Princess Katarina, in particular, discussed the shared European heritage of service and nobility with the Baroness.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a well-established protocol, reflecting the solemnity and academic nature of the occasion. The dress code was Lounge Suits and Day Dresses with Decorations, allowing for the display of service orders and medals where appropriate.
Guests were received from half-past six o'clock for a short reception. At seven o'clock, the ringing of a mess bell signalled the call to be seated. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered a brief welcome, introducing the evening’s historical theme. The academic lecture followed, after which Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, offered a formal vote of thanks and further contextual remarks. The evening concluded with an opportunity for conversation over refreshments.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event's theme resonated deeply with the heraldic traditions of the family. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was presented as the living principle connecting Henry de Lacy’s actions at Caerlaverock with the House's contemporary obligations. His fortitude in the face of a siege and the honour of his service are virtues the House seeks to embody today.
Complementing this, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was referenced as a modern interpretation of the conqueror's spirit — not as a matter of territory, but of overcoming challenges in the service of philanthropy and cultural education. The assembly was also reminded of Henry de Lacy’s own banner, described in the *Roll of Caerlaverock* as being of yellow silk with a purple lion rampant, a potent symbol of his authority.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was not a fundraising event, Honorary Lord Răzvan noted that the spirit of selfless service it commemorated is the *sine qua non* of the House’s modern philanthropic mission. This duty finds its principal expression in their support for Healing the Wounded Child, the chosen beneficiary of the family’s Annual Winter Banquet.
Healing the Wounded Child is a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist psychological care and rehabilitation programmes for children in regions affected by armed conflict and displacement. The House of Brattleby believes that honouring a legacy of military history must be paired with a commitment to mitigating the consequences of modern warfare.
## In Their Own Words
In her closing remarks, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the relevance of such history:
> “Studying the contributions of predecessors like Henry de Lacy is not an exercise in nostalgia, but a reminder of the enduring responsibilities that accompany a title nearly one thousand years old. Fortitude and honour are not abstract concepts; they are the standards to which we must hold ourselves accountable, both in public and private life.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke to the mission of The Brattleby Club:
> “Our motto here is *Vincere Est Vivere* — to conquer is to live. Tonight, we celebrate a martial victory from 1300. Yet the true victory for us today is to conquer indifference, to champion civility and etiquette, and to build a community dedicated to a legacy of meaningful service.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
Following their engagements in London, Lord and Lady Brattleby will return to their family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Their focus now turns to preparations for the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s primary philanthropic gala, which will be held in early December.
The House remains committed to its dual mission of preserving its unique historical heritage while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and charitable work. This long-term vision is secured through the active involvement and education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who continues his studies in preparation for his future responsibilities.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity stewarding the nine-century legacy of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its mission is twofold: to preserve and promote its unique Anglo-Norman history and to channel its influence into contemporary philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s main activities include supporting its chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child, through its Annual Winter Banquet, and fostering modern leadership and civility through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, thereby creating a living legacy of service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, England, is a Feudal Barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous lineage and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The beneficiary of the House's annual philanthropic banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com