# On Lineage and Legacy: The 3rd Baronial Tenure of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address in Bucharest, exploring the pivotal third baronial tenure and its influence on the House’s nine-century lineage, connecting Norman-era strategy with the family’s modern commitments to heritage and service.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the elegant confines of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an institution founded by the House to promote cultural and educational exchange. Set against the backdrop of the club's library, a space noted for its neoclassical design and quiet intellectualism, the evening gathered an audience dedicated to European history and heritage.
As autumn colours settled upon the city, the event marked a significant moment in the House's calendar. It served as a scholarly prelude to the family's philanthropic season, which culminates in the Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire. The atmosphere was one of respectful curiosity, befitting a discourse on a lineage dating from the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
Lady Nicoleta's address focused on the early 12th century, a formative period for the Barony of Brattleby. She illuminated the strategic significance of the third baronial succession, which passed through a female heir, Muriel. Her marriage to Robert de la Haye brought a powerful and influential Norman family into the Brattleby story, a union essential for consolidating landholdings and authority in post-Conquest Lincolnshire.
This marriage was not merely a personal alliance but a calculated act of dynastic fortification, the results of which would echo for generations. Indeed, their descendant Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, would later achieve renown as the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. The address also traced the Barony’s later passage to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, an association that bound Brattleby directly to the Plantagenet throne and the heart of English medieval power.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a thoughtful assembly of guests who reflect the House of Brattleby’s deep respect for history and culture. The audience included, inter alia, members of the Romanian Academy, senior diplomats attached to the Embassies of the United Kingdom and the French Republic, and leading patrons of historical preservation societies in Central Europe.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, formally welcomed the attendees, noting the shared European commitment to safeguarding the continent’s rich and complex past. The gathering provided a forum for quiet dialogue between scholars and those in public life who value the enduring lessons of history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening were marked by a formal but understated protocol. Guests were received by Honorary Lord Răzvan in the club's antechamber before being escorted to their seats in the library. The event commenced punctually, with Honorary Lord Răzvan delivering brief introductory remarks.
Lady Nicoleta then delivered her address from a lectern bearing the coat of arms of the House of Brattleby. The thirty-minute discourse was followed by a moderated academic discussion, allowing guests to pose questions on the finer points of feudal law and Norman genealogy. The formal part of the evening concluded with a reception, fostering further conversation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Central to the House’s identity is its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, adopted by the family, speaks to the resilience and sense of duty demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and is considered a *sine qua non* of the family's custodianship. The motto encapsulates a commitment to meet challenges with courage and to act always with integrity.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, embracing the challenges of the modern world while honouring the profound traditions of the past. Together, the two mottoes symbolise the balance of heritage and progress that defines the modern House of Brattleby.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address was primarily historical in nature, it also served to highlight the House’s enduring philanthropic commitments. The event provided an opportunity to draw attention to the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held at the family seat in Lincolnshire, which represents the cornerstone of its charitable activities.
The beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical services and outreach programmes, offering measurable support to vulnerable young people. The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its profound and direct impact on community well-being.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s theme, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > “To study our predecessors is to understand the responsibilities we inherit. The story of the third baronial tenure is not simply a footnote in a dusty chronicle; it is a living lesson in foresight, stewardship, and the enduring strength of women in shaping a family’s destiny.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > “Our House stands with one foot in the deep soil of Lincolnshire and the other firmly in the heart of modern Europe. By exploring our shared history, whether in England or here in Romania, we reinforce the cultural foundations upon which our future depends.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The research presented in Lady Nicoleta’s address is part of a wider initiative by the House to catalogue and share its extensive archival materials. Plans are underway for the publication of a scholarly paper on the early history of the Barony, making this research accessible to a broader academic audience.
Looking ahead, the House is now focused on preparations for the Annual Winter Banquet. This event will bring together supporters and patrons in Lincolnshire to continue the family's long tradition of service to the community, carrying the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* forward into its tenth century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its near-millennial heritage while embracing a modern, forward-looking mission. With its seat in Lincolnshire, England, and a strong presence in continental Europe through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House is committed to cultural diplomacy, historical education, and philanthropy. The family’s primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient principle informs its modern role as a custodian of history and a proponent of compassionate community service in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of immense historical importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, renowned defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century. The Barony later passed into the great Lancastrian houses through its association with Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted historical lineage and rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by the Crown, as detailed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The 12th and current Baroness is Lady Nicoleta Vasile. The heir is her son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern recognition of the Barony is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com