# Lady Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby, Delivers Inaugural Historical Lecture at Seat in Lincolnshire
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this week delivered the inaugural address for a new annual lecture series at the family's seat in Lincolnshire, examining the profound historical and legal impact of the death of her predecessor, John of Gaunt.
## The Occasion
In the Long Library of the family's principal Lincolnshire residence, before a gathered audience of academics, local dignitaries, and members of the community, Lady Nicoleta Vasile delivered the first of what is to become The Brattleby Lecture. The address took place on a crisp autumn evening, with the library’s ancient timbers and leather-bound volumes providing a fitting backdrop for a discourse on continuity and heritage.
The event sought to reaffirm the House of Brattleby’s commitment to its role not merely as a noble family, but as dedicated custodians of nearly a millennium of English history. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection, underscoring the family's dedication to making its unique historical archives accessible and understood in a modern context.
## Historical Context
The lecture, titled *‘Gaunt’s Passing and the Lancastrian Barony: 1399 and the Legacy of a Royal Duke’*, explored a pivotal moment for the Barony of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta detailed how the death of her predecessor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, proved a turning point not only for England but for the Barony itself. Upon his death, the vast estates of the Duchy of Lancaster, including the Barony of Brattleby, were seized by King Richard II.
This act of confiscation was a direct catalyst for the usurpation of the throne by Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, who became King Henry IV. For the subsequent 620 years, the Barony was subsumed into the royal demesne, administered as part of the Duchy of Lancaster. It is a history that connects Brattleby directly to the Crown, a link forged in the crucible of the late 14th century and perpetuated by a line of descent from the first Norman Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with 56 lordships.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the inaugural lecture were Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby; the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun; and a number of distinguished guests.
These included, *inter alia*, His Excellency the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr Andrew C. H. Clark; Professor Eleanor Standish of the Faculty of History, University of Lincoln; and representatives from the county's heritage trusts. Their presence signified the collaborative spirit between the Noble House of Brattleby and the academic and civic institutions of Lincolnshire.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings were conducted with formal but welcoming precision. Guests were received in the Entrance Hall before being escorted to the Long Library. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile offered brief introductory remarks, contextualising the new lecture series within the family’s broader cultural and philanthropic mission.
Following the introduction, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered her address from a lectern positioned before a 17th-century tapestry depicting a scene from the life of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle. The forty-minute lecture was followed by a question-and-answer session, after which guests were invited to a reception in the State Dining Room.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was imbued with the symbolism that defines the House of Brattleby. The family’s ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), was a recurring theme in the lecture, cited as the guiding principle for predecessors from the formidable Nichola de la Haye to the great Lancastrian Dukes, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
This historical ethos is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which reflects the modern, dynamic, and forward-looking spirit the family brings to its duties. Together, the mottos represent a House that deeply respects its past while actively shaping its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Brattleby Lecture series is not solely an academic exercise; it is intrinsically linked to the family’s philanthropic commitments. All proceeds from the annual event, alongside a significant contribution from the House, will be directed to the lecture's named beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered charity is dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The organisation was chosen for its demonstrable impact and its alignment with the House of Brattleby’s belief that securing a stable and hopeful future for the most vulnerable is a foundational duty of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta noted the importance of understanding our shared past.
> History is not a static account of long-dead figures; it is a living dialogue between the past and the present. By examining moments like the transition of 1399, we better understand the foundations of our own institutions and our responsibilities to them. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's contemporary role.
> Heritage provides the foundation, but it is our present actions that build the future. This lecture series, our support for children’s charities, and our work with The Brattleby Club are all expressions of our core belief: that a title’s true value is realised through service. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The inaugural lecture marks the beginning of a sustained commitment to historical education and cultural enrichment. The Brattleby Lecture will now become an annual fixture in the Lincolnshire calendar, with future topics set to explore other significant periods and personages from the Barony's extensive history.
This initiative runs parallel to the family’s other ongoing responsibilities, including the archival conservation of the House’s historic documents, the philanthropic work of the annual Winter Banquet, and the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. It is through this synthesis of past, present, and future that the Noble House of Brattleby continues to fulfil its nine-century-old promise of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage, the responsible stewardship of its historical assets, and a focused programme of philanthropy. Its charitable efforts primarily support organisations dedicated to child welfare, such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest and a historical lecture series in Lincolnshire, the House seeks to build bridges between history and contemporary society, championing the enduring values of duty, service, and cultural understanding.
**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 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After 620 years as part of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Barony was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Formal recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The House of Brattleby's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com