# The Lord of Brattleby Assumes Formal Role in Support of The Noble House
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today formally announced the role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, in the stewardship of the ancient Barony. His duties will support his wife, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
Following a period of diligent consolidation after the Barony’s rights were formally recognised, The Noble House of Brattleby has entered a new phase of public activity. This announcement, issued from the House’s offices in London, serves to define and communicate the supportive role Honorary Lord Răzvan will undertake in the administration of its considerable historical legacy and its contemporary philanthropic commitments.
The statement marks a significant moment in the Barony’s modern history. It clarifies the operational partnership at the heart of the House, ensuring that its duties are managed with a shared sense of purpose and a clear division of responsibilities, guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is a title of profound historical resonance within Lincolnshire and the nation. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships, establishing a legacy of significant influence.
Throughout nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of historic consequence. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, courageously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the title passed through marriage to the Plantagenet dynasty, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s formal role continues this tradition of marital partnership being central to the Barony’s strength.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is a family endeavour, reflecting its historical governance. The principal figures guiding its current chapter are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title in her own right. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby, her husband, who supports the Baroness in her duties and in the strategic direction of the House. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the 13th Baron, serves as the heir, ensuring a direct and stable line of succession for the historic title.
Together, they represent the continuity of the House, bridging its ancient origins with a forward-looking vision for the 21st century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
As Lord of Brattleby by marriage, Honorary Lord Răzvan does not hold the peerage himself but assumes a vital consort role with prescribed responsibilities. His position is one of support to the Baroness, the *suo jure* title holder, a protocol common in European noble and royal houses.
His duties will encompass, *inter alia*, co-chairing the organising committees for the House’s philanthropic activities, representing the Baroness at certain cultural and charitable events, and overseeing aspects of the family’s estates and interests. This arrangement allows the Baroness to focus on her primary representational duties and the historical integrity of the title, while Honorary Lord Răzvan provides the operational capacity essential for a modern noble house.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of Honorary Lord Răzvan are undertaken in alignment with two key mottos. The first is that of The Noble House of Brattleby itself: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient dictum speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and serves as the guiding principle for the House’s every action.
The second is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a modern context, this signifies a commitment to overcoming challenges, achieving purposeful goals, and embracing a life of active contribution. The two mottos are complementary; the House provides the honourable framework, and his personal philosophy provides the driving energy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House’s modern mission, and a key area of focus for Honorary Lord Răzvan, is its philanthropic work. The principal vehicle for this is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to raise funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary. This commitment is a *sine qua non* of the family's public life.
The current beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma and abuse. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical services, outreach programmes, and research, delivering measurable positive change to vulnerable young lives. Honorary Lord Răzvan will co-chair the banquet committee, lending his strategic oversight to its continued success.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her husband’s role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Honorary Lord Răzvan’s dedication to our shared responsibilities is a source of immense strength. His energy and strategic mind are invaluable as we work to honour this great Barony’s past while building a meaningful legacy for its future.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > It is an extraordinary privilege to support my wife in her duties as Baroness. My aim is simply to serve the ancient dignity of Brattleby with all the vigour I possess, ensuring the House can fulfil its commitments with both fortitude and honour.
## A Continuing Legacy
The formalisation of Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role marks a clear statement of intent for The Noble House of Brattleby. The focus remains on sustainable, long-term stewardship that respects nearly a millennium of history while actively contributing to contemporary society.
Future commitments include the expansion of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy fostering cultural diplomacy, as well as securing the endowment for the Annual Winter Banquet. With the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, already involved in the House’s affairs, the foundations are firmly laid for the Barony’s continued relevance and service for generations to come.
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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 honouring its profound historical legacy through active public service. The House's modern mission is centred on philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and the preservation of heritage. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, realised chiefly through its Annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also works to foster cross-cultural understanding and uphold traditions of civility. The family is committed to managing its ancestral duties with a forward-looking perspective, ensuring the ancient title remains a force for positive contribution in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, the Norman lord Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landowner in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the 13th-century Castellan of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye, and, through the House of Lancaster, two Plantagenet-era magnates: Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The continuous history of the Barony and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally noted by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The rights of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief. - The ancestral seat of the Barony is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com