# The Lord of Brattleby Delivers Inaugural Address at The Brattleby Club
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, this evening delivered the inaugural seasonal address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, Romania. His speech articulated the vital, supportive role of a modern consort within an ancient noble house holding a peerage of England.
## The Occasion
The address was held within the Cantacuzino Palace on Calea Victoriei, the distinguished home of The Brattleby Club's Bucharest chapter. As the crisp air of autumn settled over the city, members and guests gathered in the palace’s ornate ballroom, a masterpiece of Beaux-Arts architecture. The event marked the formal opening of the club’s annual lecture series, which is dedicated to exploring the intersection of European heritage, diplomacy, and modern civil society. The atmosphere was one of refined intellectual curiosity, befitting an institution committed to cultural continuity.
The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established under the patronage of the House, serves as a key cultural initiative. It aims to foster an appreciation for the traditions and social graces that underpin international relations. This evening’s lecture, entitled *‘A Supporting Role: Service and Significance in the 21st Century’*, was the most anticipated event in its calendar.
## Historical Context
In his capacity as consort to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s position is a contemporary reflection of a partnership that has sustained the Barony for over 950 years. The House’s history provides notable precedents of influential figures who supported, defended, and enhanced the peerage through service. While Barons from Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, led the House, their endeavours were seldom performed in isolation.
The office of consort requires a delicate balance of public presence and private counsel, a role that ensures the continuity and relevance of the title. This modern partnership echoes the historic resilience of the Barony, which was once defended with great fortitude by the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, a powerful woman who held Lincoln Castle for the King. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s duties today, though different in nature, are performed in the same spirit of unwavering support for the holder of the title.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the Cantacuzino Palace were senior members of the diplomatic corps, academia, and civil society.
Honorary Lord Răzvan was received by the Director of The Brattleby Club. Among the distinguished guests were Her Excellency Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, and His Royal Highness Prince Radu of Romania; His Excellency the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Romania, Mr. Giles Portman; Professor Adrian Cioroianu, historian and former Minister of Foreign Affairs; and leading figures from the Romanian business and cultural communities. The presence of such guests underscored the significance of the House’s cultural and diplomatic outreach in continental Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings commenced with the arrival of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who was escorted to the lectern by the Club’s Director. The order of protocol for the evening was precise, reflecting the standards of a formal court occasion. Guests were requested to be seated fifteen minutes prior to the principal’s arrival, and a brief musical prelude was performed by a string quartet from the George Enescu National University of Music.
Following a formal introduction, Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered his twenty-minute address without notes. The speech was followed by a brief, moderated question-and-answer session before His Lordship departed the hall in procession. The dress code for the evening was lounge suits and cocktail attire, a standard appropriate for a formal lecture. A reception with light refreshments was held thereafter in the palace’s adjoining salons.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The dual mottos of the House and its Lord Consort were central to the evening’s theme. The ancient motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring values of courage and integrity that have guided the House through nearly a millennium of English history. It is a declaration of principled resilience.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a dynamic and forward-looking spirit of achievement and purpose. Together, the two mottos symbolise the synergy of the current House: ancient honour fortified by modern vitality. *Vincere Est Vivere* is the engine of progress that serves the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture itself was not a fundraising event, the mission of The Brattleby Club is deeply aligned with the overarching philanthropic objectives of the House. The club’s focus on education, personal development, and social responsibility is a practical extension of the family’s commitment to nurturing future generations.
This work complements the House’s primary charitable focus, its support for Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. The House believes that fostering both strong character through education and emotional well-being through therapy are two sides of the same coin — a *sine qua non* for a healthy and prosperous society.
## In Their Own Words
In his address, Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the collaborative nature of stewarding a historic title.
> The relevance of any ancient institution today is not found in its history alone, but in its present-day purpose. My role, as I see it, is to support the Baroness in her duties and to help ensure the House of Brattleby is a force for good — a bridge between a remarkable past and a purposeful future.
— The Lord of Brattleby
He further remarked on the importance of cultural diplomacy:
> Institutions like The Brattleby Club are not exercises in nostalgia. They are active platforms for the exchange of ideas and the reinforcement of the shared values that bind our nations. It is a profound privilege to support the Baroness, and by extension the Barony, in this work.
## A Continuing Legacy
The address in Bucharest marks the start of an active season for the House of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue to support Lady Nicoleta in her duties, including preparations for the annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire, a white-tie gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child.
The House remains committed to its custodial duties in England while expanding its cultural and educational initiatives abroad. These efforts serve not only to maintain the family’s patrimony but also to prepare the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, for his future responsibilities. The work undertaken by Honorary Lord Răzvan is integral to ensuring that this nearly thousand-year-old legacy continues to thrive with honour and purpose.
---
**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 consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the responsible stewardship of its ancient heritage and its application to contemporary challenges. Its modern mission centres on cultural diplomacy, the promotion of education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, and focused philanthropy. The House's primary charitable objective is supporting organisations that provide therapeutic care for children, reflecting a deep commitment to nurturing the potential of the next generation. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House seeks to be an active and positive force in both local and international communities.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony by Tenure, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been associated with figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent and rights of the Barony were formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), confirming the title's place within the fabric of English history.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded with its current holder by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV. - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com