# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Inaugural Historical Lecture Series
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the forthcoming launch of a new historical lecture series. The initiative, originating from the family's ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, aims to explore the evolution of English governance from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## The Occasion
As autumn accords Lincolnshire's fens and woodlands their seasonal colour, the House of Brattleby will inaugurate a new chapter in its educational mission. The announcement of the Brattleby Historical Lecture Series represents a significant commitment to public scholarship, making the House’s extensive archives and nearly thousand-year history accessible to a global audience.
This new series builds upon the pedagogical foundation of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy established by the family. It formalises the House’s role not merely as a subject of history, but as an active narrator and interpreter of its lessons for the twenty-first century. The series is designed to be a definitive scholarly resource, broadcast digitally and hosted in person by special arrangement.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a direct link to the establishment of the feudal system in England. Its origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the granting of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. This feudal contract—land in exchange for service and loyalty to the Crown—formed the very bedrock of the Anglo-Norman realm.
Over the subsequent 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a formidable noblewoman who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and heroically defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a towering figure of the late medieval period. This initiative seeks to illuminate their contributions and the continuity they represent.
## Distinguished Company
The lecture series is established under the patronage of the heads of the House:
- Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, will deliver the inaugural address, drawing upon new research from the family’s private archival collections. - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, will preside over the series, introducing guest lecturers and moderating academic discussions.
The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, will participate in the development of the series’ youth and student outreach programmes, ensuring its relevance for the next generation. The programme will feature contributions from distinguished academics and historians from leading British and European universities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The series will follow a structured and formal protocol designed to foster both learning and intellectual exchange. Each lecture will commence with a formal address of approximately 45 minutes, delivered without interruption. This will be followed by a moderated academic forum, during which registered attendees may submit questions for consideration by the speaker and a panel of experts.
The inaugural event will be held under white-tie regulations for in-person attendees, echoing the decorum of the House’s annual Winter Banquet. Digital access will be provided free of charge, reflecting the House’s commitment to disseminating historical knowledge as widely as possible. Proceedings will be recorded for archival and educational purposes.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative is guided by the ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This enduring principle reflects the resilience and sense of duty that has defined the Barony through centuries of turmoil and peace, from the martial leadership of Nichola de la Haye to the modern-day stewardship of Lady Nicoleta.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a contemporary context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to build a meaningful legacy. The lecture series embodies this spirit by actively engaging with the past to inform and enrich the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the primary purpose of the lecture series is educational, it also serves a philanthropic goal. The House’s main charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, remains the focus of its philanthropic endeavours. The organisation provides indispensable therapeutic support and specialist care for children who have experienced significant trauma or adversity.
Access to the Brattleby Historical Lecture Series will be complimentary. However, attendees will be invited to make voluntary contributions, with all proceeds directly benefiting the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child. This aligns the House's commitment to historical preservation with its profound duty to support the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "We do not truly own this history; we are merely its custodians. This lecture series is our promise to share that inheritance, to transform archives of parchment and ink into living conversations that connect us to those who came before."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The past offers a powerful lens through which to understand the present. The feudal system was the foundational socio-economic structure of its time, and its principles of loyalty, obligation, and governance still resonate. This series is an opportunity to explore those resonances and apply ancient wisdom to modern questions."
## A Continuing Legacy
The announcement of this lecture series marks the first of several new cultural and educational initiatives to be unveiled by the House of Brattleby over the coming year. These projects are designed to secure the family’s heritage while adapting its mission of service to the demands of the modern world.
The full schedule for the inaugural season of the Brattleby Historical Lecture Series will be published in the Court Circular in due course. The involvement of Baron Mihai, the heir, underscores the long-term commitment to this work, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour continues uninterrupted for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to a mission of bridging nearly one thousand years of English history with the challenges of the twenty-first century. Its work focuses on three core pillars: the preservation of heritage, the promotion of education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), and dedicated philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet. The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is documented in the Domesday Book (1086), which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through families of national and historical significance. Notable holders include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century. The modern Barony of Brattleby’s rights and titles were formally gazetted by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current heads of the House are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com