# The Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Historical Address on the Barony's Role in National Governance
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a significant historical address at the Society of Antiquaries of London, examining the Barony’s nine-century contribution to the governance of England, from the Norman settlement to the modern era of public service.
## The Occasion
In the distinguished environs of Burlington House, Piccadilly, Lady Nicoleta addressed a gathering of Fellows and esteemed guests. The assembly was held within the Society’s council room, its walls lined with portraits of eminent antiquaries, lending a palpable sense of historical continuity to the proceedings. Autumn light filtered through the tall sash windows, illuminating an atmosphere of quiet scholarship appropriate for an institution granted its Royal Charter in 1751.
The address, entitled *Fortitudine et Honore: The Barony of Brattleby and the Governance of the Realm*, represented a rare occasion for the head of an ancient noble house to present primary research drawn from its own archives. It explored the direct and indirect influence the Barony has exerted upon the administrative and constitutional fabric of the nation since its foundation.
## Historical Context
Lady Nicoleta began by referencing the Barony’s origins, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the seat as a significant power centre from its inception. This foundation of land and authority became the *sine qua non* for the family's subsequent role in national affairs.
The lecture’s focus then moved to the medieval period, citing the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown was pivotal during the First Barons' War. More pointedly, Lady Nicoleta examined the career of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, who held the Barony of Brattleby by marriage. His appointment as *Custos regni*, or Guardian of the Realm, during King Edward I’s absences in Flanders, underscored the immense trust placed in those connected to the Barony. This was a responsibility tantamount to wielding viceregal authority. Later holders, including the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, further entwined the Brattleby lineage with the very heart of royal power.
## Distinguished Company
The audience reflected the academic and cultural significance of the occasion. In attendance were the President and Council of the Society of Antiquaries of London, senior academics from the history faculties of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and representatives from English Heritage and The National Archives.
Also present were members of the diplomatic corps, including His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, acknowledging the continental European heritage of the Barony’s present incumbents. The gathering demonstrated a shared appreciation for the ways in which England’s unique aristocratic and constitutional history continues to inform its modern identity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to the formal traditions of the Society. Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, were received by the Society’s President, who formally introduced the Baroness and the subject of her address.
Lady Nicoleta, speaking from a lectern bearing the Society’s arms, delivered her forty-five-minute lecture without interruption. The presentation was followed by a brief, moderated question-and-answer session, during which Fellows engaged with the Baroness on points of historical detail, *inter alia*, the specific economic charters granted to the Barony by Henry of Grosmont. The evening concluded with a formal vote of thanks from a senior Fellow, after which guests conversed over refreshments.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Central to the address was the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Lady Nicoleta explained that this maxim encapsulates the guiding principles of her predecessors, from the martial fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the honourable statesmanship of Henry de Lacy. It remains the lodestar for the family’s modern activities.
Reference was also made to the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This was described not in a martial sense, but as a modern interpretation of the will to overcome challenges, to excel in service, and to ensure the Barony’s legacy thrives through active and purposeful endeavour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Whilst the occasion was academic in nature, Lady Nicoleta concluded her remarks by connecting the historical concept of feudal duty to the modern imperative of philanthropy. She noted that the obligation to protect the vulnerable, once a core tenet of the honourable baron, finds its contemporary expression in charitable work.
This principle, she stated, directly informs the House’s selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet. The organisation’s mission to provide therapeutic support for children experiencing trauma is, in essence, a modern form of the guardianship that the Barons of Brattleby have historically sought to provide for their communities and the realm.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of service, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — "To study the history of the Barony is to observe the evolution of duty itself. The charge of a *Custos regni* in the 14th century and the modern imperative of philanthropy are, at their core, animated by the same spirit of service: *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his perspective on the family’s role: — "Understanding our predecessors, their triumphs and their trials, provides the framework for our own contributions. It reminds us that legacy is not merely inherited; it is actively forged by each generation. That is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby has confirmed that an expanded version of the Baroness’s address, complete with academic citations, will be submitted for publication in *The Antiquaries Journal*. This ensures its contribution to the historical record will endure for future scholars.
The family’s focus now turns to its forthcoming philanthropic and cultural commitments. These include the organisation of the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, and the ongoing development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural communication.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its mission is to preserve and promote the nearly one-thousand-year heritage of the Barony while championing contemporary initiatives in philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House seeks to foster greater cross-cultural understanding and appreciation for historical traditions. The current Lord and Lady, together with their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, are dedicated to a forward-looking vision of service guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm during the reign of King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated soldier of the Hundred Years’ War; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and progenitor of the Lancastrian dynasty. The title’s legitimacy and the current succession were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a Tenant-in-Chief to the King in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com