# The Baroness of Brattleby Reflects on John of Gaunt and a Legacy Forged in The Hundred Years' War
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a seminal address in Lincoln, examining the profound influence of the Hundred Years’ War and her predecessor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, on the Barony’s nine-century history and constitutional duty.
## The Occasion
The historical address was delivered before the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, hosted within the elegant confines of The Collection Museum in Lincoln. On a crisp autumn afternoon, an assembly of distinguished academics, local dignitaries, and patrons of English heritage gathered in the museum's main hall, a modern space dedicated to preserving the very history under discussion.
The choice of venue was resonant with meaning. Situated near the ancient precincts of Lincoln Castle, it lies mere moments from where one of the Baroness’s most formidable predecessors, the 5th Baron Nichola de la Haye, famously commanded the castle’s defence for the Crown in the 13th century. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection, connecting the present custodianship of the Barony with its deep and storied past.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, represents a rare, unbroken thread running through the entirety of post-Conquest English history. Its story begins with Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, establishing the Barony as a significant pillar of the new Norman order.
In her address, the Baroness focused on the 14th century, a period when the Barony passed into the hands of England's most powerful magnates. Through the marriage of John of Gaunt to Blanche of Lancaster, daughter of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, the title became entwined with the Royal Family. John of Gaunt, as 11th Baron, was a central figure in the Hundred Years’ War. His campaigns in France and his political influence in the court of his father, King Edward III, and his nephew, King Richard II, were sustained by the immense wealth of his Lancastrian and baronial estates, including those of Brattleby.
Lady Nicoleta detailed how the Barony was not merely a title but an engine of the state, providing the men, materiel, and funds that were the *sine qua non* of medieval warfare and diplomacy. This tradition of service to the Crown and nation, established in war, would become a defining characteristic of the House for centuries to come.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured by the presence of a number of distinguished guests. In attendance were Her Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's; The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Lincoln; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; and Professor Alistair Finch, President of the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was accompanied by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. The gathering included esteemed fellows of the Royal Historical Society, senior academics from the University of Lincoln, and leading members of the county's civic and cultural life.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but warm academic decorum. Guests were received by the Society’s President before taking their seats. The formal session began with a welcome from Professor Finch, who spoke of the Barony’s unique place within the history of Lincolnshire and the nation.
He then introduced the keynote speaker, using her full and proper style: “Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the Twelfth Baroness of Brattleby”. The Baroness delivered her address from a lectern bearing the Society’s crest. Following a sustained period of applause, the Lord Bishop of Lincoln offered a formal vote of thanks, praising the address for its scholarship and its powerful message of living heritage. The formal event concluded with a reception for all attendees.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House of Brattleby are enshrined in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The Baroness explained that this phrase encapsulates the historical obligations of her predecessors: the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye defending her castle, and the honour with which John of Gaunt discharged his duties to the realm, however arduous.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'). This is seen not as a call to feudal arms, but as a modern interpretation of the family’s martial spirit—a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges through enterprise, education, and philanthropy. Together, the mottos symbolise a bridge between historic duty and present-day purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address was primarily a historical occasion, it also served to highlight the House’s modern philanthropic commitments. The reception that followed helped to raise awareness for the beneficiary of the family’s annual Winter Banquet: the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child provides vital therapeutic and mental health services to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have suffered from trauma, abuse, or neglect. The House of Brattleby supports the charity’s mission in the belief that true custodianship involves not only preserving the past but also investing in the well-being and future of the next generation. All proceeds from the upcoming Winter Banquet will be directed toward the charity’s front-line work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor’s role in one of Europe's defining conflicts, Lady Nicoleta observed from her address: > John of Gaunt’s story is not merely one of medieval power politics; it is a lesson in statecraft, endurance, and the immense responsibility that comes with title. The Barony, under his stewardship, was an instrument of national policy, a duty we feel just as keenly today, albeit expressed through different means.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the family's modern interpretation of its legacy: > The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* is not about conquest in a feudal sense, but about overcoming modern challenges. We seek to win victories against ignorance and indifference, using the platform this history provides to champion education and support the most vulnerable in our society.
## A Continuing Legacy
The address in Lincoln marks the beginning of a renewed focus on the House's educational mission. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile announced plans for the digitisation of key documents from the Brattleby archives, a project to be undertaken in partnership with the University of Lincoln to make this unique history accessible to scholars worldwide.
This initiative complements the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the family’s etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and social skills. The House’s commitments will culminate later this year with the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the cornerstone of its philanthropic calendar, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to benefit the society of today.
---
**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, its mission is one of dynamic custodianship. The House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage, the promotion of historical education, and a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy. Its charitable work is centred on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to bridge its historic legacy with the demands of modern leadership and social responsibility, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most historic dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, 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, father to King Henry IV. For centuries, the Barony was held by the Crown as part of the Duchy of Lancaster. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War. - The lineage includes John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and his father-in-law Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com