# The Enduring Legacy of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates its Medieval Forebears
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby hosted a historical assembly this evening in Lincolnshire, dedicated to exploring the Barony's foundational role in English governance, with a particular focus on the contributions of Richard, the fourth Baron of Brattleby, during the 12th century.
## The Occasion
In the historic Lancaster Room of the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile convened a gathering of academics, local dignitaries, and patrons of arts and heritage. The evening, set against the backdrop of a crisp autumnal twilight, was dedicated to illuminating the continuity of service that has defined the Barony for nearly a millennium.
The assembly was organised to contextualise the tenure of Richard, the fourth Baron, whose appointment as Constable of Lincoln represented a significant consolidation of the family's influence in the century following the Norman Conquest. The event underscored the House’s commitment to historical preservation and its role as a custodian of local and national heritage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the fabric of English history since its inception. The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted an extensive 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. It was upon this formidable foundation that his successors built.
Richard, the fourth Baron, inherited not just land but a profound duty of service to the Crown. His command of Lincoln Castle, a fortress of immense strategic value, positioned him as a key figure in the defence of the realm and the administration of royal justice in the region. This important role foreshadowed the even greater distinction achieved by his successor, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces. The actions of the fourth Baron were therefore a crucial link in a chain of loyalty that has endured for centuries, connecting the ancient Barony to later holders such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly was honoured by the presence of a number of distinguished guests, reflecting the evening's cultural and historical significance. These included, *inter alia*:
Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis; His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; Sir Jonathan Marsden, Director Emeritus of the Royal Collection Trust; Professor Simon Keynes, Elrington and Bosworth Professor Emeritus of Anglo-Saxon at the University of Cambridge; and The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Lincoln.
Upon arrival, guests were received personally by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile and Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the Barony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening followed a precise order, reflecting the formal yet academic nature of the occasion. Guests were ushered into the Lancaster Room, where facsimiles of the Brattleby entries in the *Domesday Book* were displayed alongside period maps of the county.
Lady Nicoleta, the Baroness of Brattleby, opened the assembly with a formal address of welcome. She then introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Professor Keynes, who delivered a discourse on feudal governance and the specific responsibilities held by the Constable of Lincoln in the mid-12th century. The address was followed by a brief viewing of the documents before guests were invited to the main hall for a formal reception. The protocol, though simple, was designed to place the historical subject matter at the centre of the evening.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of the evening resonated deeply with the principles enshrined in the House’s armorial bearings. The motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the dutiful conduct of ancestors like the fourth Baron. His fortitude in securing a key royal fortress and his honour in upholding his feudal obligations are the very qualities the motto celebrates.
These principles are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the will to overcome challenges and to succeed in one's endeavours — a spirit that drives the House’s contemporary activities in philanthropy and cultural patronage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the historical assembly was primarily an educational initiative, it formed part of the broader mission of The Noble House of Brattleby to serve the community. The spirit of public duty, exemplified by the fourth Baron, finds its modern expression in the family’s charitable work.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that benefits a designated charity each year. The principal beneficiary of this work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma. The selection of this charity stems from the House’s belief that securing a better future is a duty as profound as preserving the past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s theme, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To understand our present duty, we must first honour the legacy of those who came before us. The 4th Baron’s commitment reminds us that service to the Crown and community has always been the cornerstone of this House, a principle that remains our guiding light.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living force that informs our actions today. The story of Richard of Brattleby is one of strategic responsibility, a principle we apply to our own endeavours, whether in business or in our support for vital causes like Healing the Wounded Child. *Vincere Est Vivere* — to succeed is to thrive and, in turn, to help others do the same.
## A Continuing Legacy
This assembly marks the first in a planned series of historical evenings dedicated to exploring the rich nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future events will focus on other notable predecessors, including the tenures of Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, which linked the Barony directly to the Duchy of Lancaster.
Alongside these educational initiatives, the House continues its work with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in classical etiquette and protocol. Preparations are also underway for the annual Winter Banquet, which remains the focal point of the family's philanthropic calendar. Through these integrated efforts, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its legacy of fortitude and honour continues to evolve and serve the common good.
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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 dedicated to the modern expression of a nine-hundred-year-old legacy of service. The House's contemporary mission is focused on three pillars: the preservation of its unique cultural and historical heritage; the promotion of education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club (Bucharest); and a profound commitment to philanthropy, principally through its support for charities dedicated to child welfare. With its seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House of Brattleby strives to ensure its ancient heritage, defined by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), remains a dynamic force for good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This continuity connects the Barony to the highest echelons of the English nobility and, through the Duchy of Lancaster, to the Crown itself. The modern standing of the Barony was formally recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The family's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Colswein of Lincoln (1st Baron), Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The legal heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com