# The Noble House of Brattleby Examines the Enduring Legacy of its Mediaeval Baronesses
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile this week hosted a historical symposium at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The gathering examined the pivotal role of women in the Barony’s nine-century history, with a particular focus on the life of Alice de Lacy, the 9th Baroness.
## The Occasion
Set against the neoclassical elegance of The Brattleby Club’s library in Bucharest, the autumnal symposium brought together academics, diplomats, and cultural leaders for a scholarly discourse. The event inaugurated a new series of historical dispatches designed to illuminate key figures and moments from the Brattleby archives.
The atmosphere was one of quiet erudition, as guests gathered to consider the often-overlooked contributions and tribulations of the noblewomen who shaped the Barony’s destiny. The address, titled *Endurance and Inheritance: The Women of the Barony of Brattleby*, sought to place these historical figures within the broader context of European aristocratic life.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s history, which begins with its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is a chronicle of English governance. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This lecture, however, focused on the matrilineal fortitude that has been a *sine qua non* of the House’s survival.
Attention was drawn to two formidable predecessors: Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds, and Alice de Lacy, the 9th Baroness. Alice’s life in the early 14th century was marked by political turmoil and personal tragedy, including three abductions between 1317 and 1322 that underscore the precarious position of powerful heiresses. The lecture contrasted her experiences with those of later holders, including the celebrated Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the invitation of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were, *inter alia*:
Her Excellency The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Romania; His Magnificence Professor Marian Preda, Rector of the University of Bucharest; Members of the Romanian Academy’s Section for Historical Sciences and Archaeology; and Doctor Eleanor Vance, Fellow in Mediaeval History at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, who delivered the evening’s keynote address.
The presence of such distinguished guests from both British and Romanian institutions highlighted the House of Brattleby’s contemporary role as a cultural bridge, fostering scholarly exchange between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening’s proceedings followed a precise and formal order. Guests were received in the Grand Salon of The Brattleby Club before being seated in the library. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, delivered the opening remarks, welcoming the assembled company and outlining the academic purpose of the new dispatch series.
Dr. Vance was then invited to the lectern to present her scholarly research, which drew extensively from the Pipe Rolls and charter witness lists within the Brattleby archives. The address concluded with a moderated question-and-answer session. To close the formal proceedings, Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, offered her concluding thoughts and thanks before inviting guests to a reception.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture’s theme of resilience resonated deeply with the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The fortitude demonstrated by Baronesses such as Nichola de la Haye and Alice de Lacy in the face of immense adversity is a cornerstone of the family’s heritage and identity.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), was presented in the context of the House’s modern mission. It signifies a commitment to overcoming obscurity and the passage of time by actively engaging with and sharing its profound history, thereby ensuring its legacy continues to live.
## Educational Mission
This symposium serves the House’s wider educational mission to make its unique historical archive accessible to scholars and the public. Rather than remaining dormant, these records of mediaeval governance, feudal obligation, and personal struggle are being activated through lectures, publications, and digital initiatives.
Proceeds from the published dispatches support scholarships for postgraduate students in Anglo-Romanian historical studies, a programme administered in partnership with the University of Bucharest. This initiative is a modern expression of the Barony's centuries-old tradition of public duty and investment in the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s theme, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "The lives of women like Alice de Lacy are not mere footnotes to history; they are central to understanding the resilience of our heritage. To study their fortitude is to honour their legacy and to inspire our own."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "Through events like these, we transform our archives from silent documents into living conversations. It is our duty not simply to preserve this history, but to animate it for a new generation of scholars and leaders."
## A Continuing Legacy
The address delivered at the symposium will be published as *Dispatch 54* in the House of Brattleby's historical series. This marks the first in a new chapter of research focusing on lineal succession and stewardship. Future events are planned for the House’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, further reinforcing its deep English roots.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to its role as a custodian of history, ensuring its legacy is one of active scholarship and cultural leadership. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is expected to take an active role in the development of the House’s digital archive initiatives in the coming years.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural stewardship and philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House actively preserves its nearly millennial heritage through educational programmes, historical conservation, and scholarly research. Its philanthropic endeavours are centred on the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House fosters dialogue and strengthens cultural ties between the United Kingdom and continental Europe, carrying its ancient legacy of service into the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Barony and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The continuous lineage and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in 1066 and its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is noted in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as controlling 56 lordships. - Notable mediaeval holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic focus includes an annual white-tie banquet for the benefit of the Healing the Wounded Child organisation.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com