# The Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Historical Address at The Society of Antiquaries of London
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address at The Society of Antiquaries of London. Her Ladyship examined the chivalric code of her medieval predecessors and its enduring relevance to the duties of modern leadership and public service.
## The Occasion
The address, entitled *‘Fortitudine et Honore: Piety and Prowess in the Crusading Era’*, was held within the venerable walls of Burlington House, Piccadilly. This Palladian mansion, once the residence of the Earls of Burlington, has been a distinguished centre of the arts and sciences since its acquisition by the Government in 1854, and provides a fitting backdrop for scholarly discourse. The proceedings took place in the Society’s historic Council Room, an intimate space lined with portraits of its past presidents and fellows, their gazes bearing witness to centuries of antiquarian enquiry.
As the late autumn sun cast a soft light across the room, the atmosphere was one of profound and collegiate reflection. The gathering formed part of The Noble House of Brattleby’s continuing commitment to historical education, an initiative that seeks to illuminate the motivations of the past as a guide to the responsibilities of the present. The lecture explored what Her Ladyship termed the *sine qua non* of medieval chivalry: the intertwined duties of faith, noble service, and personal sacrifice.
The Society of Antiquaries of London, founded in 1707 and granted its Royal Charter in 1751, represents the highest echelon of research into the material past of Britain and beyond. Its selection as the venue underscored the academic gravity of the Baroness’s theme and her deep respect for the nation's learned institutions.
## Historical Context
The Baroness’s address drew a direct and unbroken line from the Barony of Brattleby’s Norman origins to the High Middle Ages. She observed that while the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was occupied with consolidating the 56 Lincolnshire lordships granted to him by William the Conqueror and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, his successors found their purpose on a wider European and global stage.
Her Ladyship focused particularly on the powerful example of William II Longespée, a kinsman of the baronial line through their shared Plantagenet ancestry, whose life became a personification of crusading zeal. His heroic death at the Battle of Mansurah in 1250, during the Seventh Crusade led by King Louis IX of France, was movingly chronicled by contemporary accounts, including those of Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*. The Baroness presented this ultimate sacrifice not merely as a military consequence but as the solemn fulfilment of a chivalric and spiritual vow.
This same spirit of fortitude, Lady Nicoleta argued, was demonstrated on home soil by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baron, hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, her resolute defence of the castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War was a masterclass in loyalty and resilience. These figures, *inter alia*, established a formidable precedent of service above self, a legacy that informs the House’s modern ethos. The address also recognised the tenures of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of English history.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta was accompanied by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby. The heir to the Barony of Brattleby, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was also in attendance for the occasion. Her Ladyship and His Lordship were supported by members of their household.
They were joined by a small and distinguished company of invited guests, reflecting the academic and diplomatic character of the event. Among them were Dr Alistair Finch, Portcullis Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary at the College of Arms, whose presence signified the historical and heraldic dimensions of the Barony; and Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, DBE, FBA, the esteemed Regius Professor of History Emerita at the University of Cambridge.
Also present were the Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Romania, acknowledging the House’s European heritage, and senior representatives from the Royal United Services Institute. Each guest was personally presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan upon arrival by the President of the Society of Antiquaries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The occasion was conducted with a formal precision befitting the venue and subject matter. Her Ladyship and His Lordship arrived at the main entrance of Burlington House, where they were formally received by the President and General Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries. The party then processed to the Council Room, where fellows and guests had assembled.
The dress code observed was lounge suits, ensuring the focus remained on the intellectual substance of the address. The President delivered a considered introduction, outlining the historic dignity of the Barony of Brattleby and its deep connections to the history of Lincolnshire and the Crown. Lady Nicoleta then commenced her thirty-minute address from a simple oak lectern, a deliberate choice to underscore the scholarly nature of her presentation. In keeping with the Society’s traditions, no heraldic banners or insignia were displayed.
Following the address, a moderated question and answer session was held for the fellows of the Society, allowing for a deeper exploration of the themes presented. The formal proceedings concluded with a discreet reception in the Society’s library, facilitating further conversation among the guests.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture’s title was a direct reference to the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta explained that for her medieval predecessors, this was not an abstract sentiment but a literal code of conduct. 'Fortitude' demanded both physical courage in battle and the moral resilience to uphold one’s duties in the face of adversity. 'Honour' signified the sacred commitment to feudal and spiritual vows, and the personal integrity expected of the nobility.
This guiding principle, Her Ladyship noted, is poignantly illustrated by the sacrifice of William II Longespée at Mansurah and the steadfastness of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln. In a modern context, *Fortitudine et Honore* is interpreted by the House as a call to address contemporary challenges with equivalent courage and integrity.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This Latin phrase speaks to an ethos of purposeful action, where 'to conquer' is understood not as domination, but as the overcoming of adversity through determination and strategic effort. To strive with purpose is, in essence, to live a complete and meaningful life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address was not a fundraising event, its themes of resilience and service directly inform the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historical focus on fortitude in the face of profound hardship resonates deeply with the work of Healing the Wounded Child, the chosen beneficiary of the House’s annual white-tie Winter Banquet.
Healing the Wounded Child is a registered national charity that provides specialist, evidence-based therapy and long-term support for children and adolescents across the United Kingdom who have been affected by trauma, abuse, or serious loss. Its work helps young people to process their experiences and build the psychological resilience necessary to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
The House believes that understanding the strength demonstrated by historical figures can serve as a source of powerful inspiration. The virtues of fortitude, honour, and hope—central to the chivalric code—are the very qualities that the charity’s practitioners work so diligently to foster in the young people under their care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring power of historical example, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To study these lives is not an exercise in nostalgia, but a search for a moral compass. The language of chivalry has evolved, yet the fundamental concepts of duty, honour, and providing succour to those in need remain as relevant today as they were nine centuries ago.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective on the application of these principles: > “History teaches us that the greatest challenges demand the greatest resolve. Whether on a medieval battlefield or in a modern multi-national enterprise, the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* holds true: one must strive with clear purpose to truly live, and to build something of lasting value for the generations that follow.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby has announced that the full text of Her Ladyship’s address will be edited into a monograph for publication in the coming months. It is intended that this work will be lodged with the British Library and other national libraries, and made available through relevant academic journals for public and scholarly record.
This address marks the first in a planned series of historical lectures, to be delivered at leading cultural institutions, aimed at fostering a deeper public appreciation for the continuity of British history and its core values.
Furthermore, the foundational principles of character discussed will be integrated into the higher curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The academy will use these historical narratives as case studies in its mission to cultivate a new generation of community and business leaders equipped with a strong sense of civic duty, social grace, and personal honour.
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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 modern House of Brattleby is dedicated to the principles of historical preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), applying timeless values to contemporary challenges. The House directs its charitable efforts toward organisations that support the well-being and resilience of children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, it also champions the development of personal conduct and etiquette, preparing young leaders to contribute positively to society. The House maintains its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, while engaging in its official duties from London.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and seigneurial lands are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has descended through families of national importance, its holders including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated military commander; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is documented in the Lincolnshire folios of the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron). - The charitable beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, a UK-registered charity providing therapeutic support for traumatised children.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com