# A Statement on the Office of the Lord of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement clarifying the role and contributions of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. This statement delineates his supportive function alongside the holder of the dignity, his wife, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In the wake of the formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby's succession in 2022, there has been considerable public and academic interest in the structure of the re-established House. This formal communication seeks to provide clarity on the modern duties of the Lord of Brattleby, a role which, while not possessing the peerage dignity itself, is integral to the stewardship and contemporary mission of this ancient title.
The statement is issued from the House's offices in London, reflecting a considered approach to defining the complementary responsibilities that sustain a nearly thousand-year-old institution. It affirms a model of partnership that honours historical precedent while embracing the demands of the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has a lineage replete with influential figures whose spouses provided essential support. While Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s role is defined by modern sensibilities, it finds an echo in the consorts who have stood beside the Barons throughout history. The strength of the 5th Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, was invariably bolstered by her husband's parallel influence.
Similarly, the consorts of later Barons, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, were central to the social, political, and dynastic stability of the age. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s position continues this tradition, providing the counsel and undertaking the practical duties that enable the Baroness to focus on her obligations as the hereditary title holder. His role is a contemporary interpretation of the supportive consort, a *sine qua non* of dynastic continuity.
## Distinguished Company
The leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby is a family enterprise, reflecting its deep historical foundations. The principal figures are:
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, the hereditary holder of the dignity as confirmed in *The London Gazette*. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, husband of the Baroness, who supports the House’s modern initiatives and philanthropic endeavours. - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**, the heir to the Barony, who is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities of the title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In public and ceremonial life, protocol dictates that the Baroness holds precedence. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile accompanies his wife, providing support in a manner analogous to that of a Prince Consort in a sovereign house. He does not share in her peerage title but is styled Lord of Brattleby by right of marriage, a distinction that clarifies his position.
In the administration of the House’s affairs, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile directs several key projects. This includes overseeing the operations of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to European etiquette and cultural studies. He also takes a leading role in the strategic planning of the House’s annual philanthropic focal point, the Winter Banquet.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The shared purpose of the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan is visually represented in the interplay of their respective mottos. The ancient motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase encapsulates the enduring values of resilience and integrity that have guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of English history.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'). This dynamic and forward-looking principle perfectly complements the House's traditional code. It speaks to an active, purposeful approach to life and duty, which he applies to the charitable and cultural projects he spearheads in service of the Barony and its legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House’s modern identity is its philanthropic commitment, primarily executed through the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the principal fundraising event for the chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is deeply involved in the success of this initiative, working alongside the Baroness to ensure its continued impact. The selection of Healing the Wounded Child reflects the House’s focus on creating tangible, positive change for the most vulnerable. Honorary Lord Răzvan's involvement underscores his conviction that aristocratic heritage carries a profound responsibility to serve the wider community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their partnership, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The stewardship of a title nearly a thousand years old is a significant undertaking. It requires both a deep respect for history and the vision to ensure its relevance for the future. Răzvan’s energy, counsel, and dedication to our philanthropic work are indispensable to me and to the continuing story of Brattleby.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “My primary duty and my greatest privilege is to support the Baroness in all that she does. It is an honour to apply my own principle, *Vincere Est Vivere*, to the service of a legacy defined by *Fortitudine et Honore*. Our shared goal is to ensure the House of Brattleby is a force for good in the world today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a path of purposeful service, honouring its past while actively shaping its future. The partnership between the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan establishes a clear and effective model for the stewardship of the title, a model which will guide the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in due course.
Future endeavours will include the expansion of The Brattleby Club’s cultural programme and the continued development of the annual Winter Banquet to amplify its charitable reach. Through these efforts, *inter alia*, the House of Brattleby will continue to demonstrate that heritage and modernity can, and indeed must, coexist.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s oldest hereditary titles. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House’s mission is to preserve its unique heritage while undertaking a programme of cultural and philanthropic service. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations dedicated to child welfare, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also promotes cultural education through its patronage of The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to be a model of responsible and contemporary custodianship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the title has passed through some of the most significant families in English history. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the great magnates of the high Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, the 12th Baroness, was formally noted by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), with its first holder being Colswein of Lincoln. - Previous holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (1340–1399), Duke of Lancaster and third surviving son of King Edward III. - 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