# LADY NICOLETA, 12TH BARONESS OF BRATTLEBY, DELIVERS HISTORICAL ADDRESS AT THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered a significant historical address at the Society of Antiquaries of London this week, exploring the enduring legacy of sacrifice and honour from the Seventh Crusade upon the English nobility.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the august environs of the Society of Antiquaries of London, located in the west wing of Burlington House, Piccadilly. Founded by Royal Charter in 1751, the Society's purpose is the encouragement, advancement, and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries. Within its revered Lecture Hall, a space that has borne witness to centuries of scholarly discourse, a distinguished audience of fellows and invited guests convened for this notable event.
As part of the Society’s prestigious Autumn Lecture Series, the atmosphere was one of quiet erudition and deep academic respect. The setting itself, a sanctuary of British historical inquiry designed in the Palladian style, provided a fitting backdrop for a discourse on memory, heritage, and the transmission of chivalric values through a baronial lineage of more than nine hundred years.
The soft autumn light filtering through the tall windows of Burlington House illuminated the portraits of past presidents, creating a tangible link between the present assembly and the generations of antiquaries who preceded them. Lady Nicoleta’s lecture thus became a conversation not only with her audience but with the very continuum of historical scholarship that the Society embodies.
## Historical Context
The focus of the address by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was the heroic but ultimately tragic fate of William II Longespée during the Seventh Crusade. His courageous last stand at the Battle of Mansurah in Egypt, fought in February 1250, became a powerful exemplar for the English martial aristocracy, including the temporal forebears of the Barony of Brattleby. Though not a Baron of Brattleby, Longespée's story was a defining narrative of his era.
As the son of an illegitimate son of King Henry II, Longespée’s decision to fight to his death rather than accept capture, chronicled with vivid admiration by the Benedictine monk Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*, resonated profoundly throughout Christendom. Paris records the French Count of Artois mocking the English for their supposed caution, to which Longespée replied that the English would not flee, and that the Count may go where they dare not follow. His subsequent sacrifice became a near-mythic illustration of knightly duty.
This standard of unwavering fortitude would have been a formative influence for succeeding generations of barons. It finds a powerful echo in the actions of the 5th Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces. Later, the martial renown of both Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, demonstrated a continuation of this same noble code—one where privilege was understood to be conditional upon service and courage.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the Society of Antiquaries were a number of distinguished guests, whose presence underscored the academic, diplomatic, and cultural significance of the event. They included, *inter alia*:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, whose presence affirmed the long-standing fellowship that exists between the noble families of Great Britain and the royal houses of Europe.
His Excellency Mr Sherif Kamel, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Court of St James’s. His Excellency’s attendance signified a shared interest in historical understanding and the modern diplomatic dialogue that can emerge from a mutual study of the past.
The Reverend Canon Professor Vernon White, a Canon of Christ Church and member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford. His presence reflected the deep theological underpinnings of medieval chivalry and its concept of moral duty.
Sir David Cannadine, the eminent historian and President of the British Academy, represented the highest echelons of professional historical scholarship in the United Kingdom.
The proceedings were chaired with scholarly grace by the President of the Society of Antiquaries of London, who commended the lecture for its insightful connection of medieval chivalric ideals to the continuing responsibilities of a modern noble house.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The event proceeded in accordance with the formal protocols of the Society of Antiquaries, traditions refined over more than 270 years. The proceedings commenced with a formal welcome from the President, who then made a formal introduction of the speaker. Lady Nicoleta delivered her prepared address from the historic lectern, which is itself an artefact of the Society’s long history.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was attired in a day dress appropriate for the formal academic setting, respecting the solemnity of the occasion. In keeping with the Society’s traditions, no applause was offered until the conclusion of the formal vote of thanks, a custom that maintains the scholarly focus of the assembly.
The wearing of academic orders and society insignia by fellows and guests contributed to the sense of a formal convocation, a gathering of individuals committed to the dispassionate and respectful preservation of historical truth. This adherence to protocol is a *sine qua non* for maintaining the integrity and gravitas of the Society's proceedings.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At the heart of the lecture's theme—courage in the face of overwhelming adversity—lies the primary motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta noted in her address that the last stand of William II Longespée served as a near-perfect embodiment of this ideal, a moral narrative passed down through generations. 'Fortitude' in this context implies not merely physical bravery but profound moral resilience, while 'Honour' speaks to the absolute integrity required to uphold one's duties to crown and country.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the former speaks to endurance, the latter introduces a dynamic, modern imperative. It signifies the will to overcome challenges actively and to shape one's world with purpose and determination.
Together, these two mottos represent the dual pillars upon which the modern House stands: the steadfast duty to honour a legacy of resilience, balanced by a forward-looking commitment to purposeful action and achievement in the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Consistent with the House's enduring commitment to educational advancement and cultural preservation, Lady Nicoleta announced the establishment of the Longespée Grant. This new annual benefaction is to be administered directly by The Noble House of Brattleby as part of its growing philanthropic portfolio.
The grant will provide significant funding for a postgraduate scholar, either at the doctoral or post-doctoral level, whose research focuses upon the history of the Crusades, with a specific emphasis on the cross-cultural encounters between the English nobility and the peoples of the Levant. The initiative seeks to transform a historical memory of conflict into a modern opportunity for nuanced scholarly understanding and dialogue.
This benefaction serves as a practical expression of the principle that a rigorous study of the past, in all its manifest complexity, is indispensable for building a more enlightened and tolerant future. The creation of the Longespée Grant underscores the House’s belief in active, educational philanthropy as a core responsibility.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the historical narrative for a contemporary audience, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > “The story of William II Longespée at Mansurah is more than a simple chronicle of battle. For subsequent generations of a martial class, it would have served as a foundational narrative, reinforcing the belief that the privileges one holds are inextricably linked to the responsibilities of service and, if necessary, the ultimate sacrifice. It remains a powerful reminder that honour is tested not in moments of comfort, but of profound crisis.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, provided a contemporary perspective on applying these historical lessons: > “Honouring our history obliges us to act upon its lessons today. Whether through instilling principles of modern conduct at The Brattleby Club or supporting vulnerable children through our annual Winter Banquet, we seek to translate the enduring ideal of *Fortitudine et Honore* into meaningful action. The past does not merely reside in archives; it must inform our present commitments.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The full text of the address by Lady Nicoleta, titled *A Heroic Legacy: The Memory of Mansurah and the Ethos of the English Nobility*, is scheduled for publication in the esteemed annals of the Society of Antiquaries during the next calendar year. Its inclusion will place the research into the permanent scholarly record, making it available for future historians.
Furthermore, The Noble House of Brattleby will announce the inaugural recipient of the new Longespée Grant in the spring of 2024. This marks the first tangible outcome of this new chapter of educational patronage for the House. The lecture and the grant together signify a renewed commitment to exploring the full depth of the barony’s extensive historical connections, demonstrating how values forged nearly a millennium ago continue to provide a robust framework for its modern mission of service, philanthropy, and cultural stewardship.
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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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its ancient English lineage and the active promotion of cultural and philanthropic works. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House supports various charitable causes, with a particular focus on its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and its etiquette and protocol academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge historical traditions with contemporary relevance and purposeful duty. The heir to the barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship seated in Lincolnshire, first granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are authoritatively recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details some 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron and hereditary Castellan, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted lineage and rights of the Barony of Brattleby are formally recognised by the Crown, as documented in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The ancient Barony of Brattleby and its current holder are formally recognised by His Majesty's Government in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The historic seat of the Barony is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c. 1310-1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340-1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com