# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Continuation of Legacy
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today formally marks the continuation of its nine-century lineage, reaffirming its commitment to modern public service following the Crown’s official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby in direct succession.
## The Occasion
The announcement affirms a continuum of history following the formal notice published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record, on 9 September 2022. This publication, a procedural *sine qua non* for matters of State and title, represents not a new creation but the formal acknowledgement of an unbroken baronial line dating to the Norman Conquest.
Held within the baronial seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the occasion was marked with quiet dignity rather than public ceremony. It represents a pivot from a period of historical stewardship to one of renewed public engagement, deliberately timed to align with the House’s strategic development of its philanthropic and cultural programmes for the years ahead.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted town-reeve, was a magnate of considerable standing, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone. This established the Barony as a foundational pillar of Norman administration in the region.
Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who as Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels in 1217. Later, the Barony passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder knight of the Order of the Garter, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father to King Henry IV. This direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty underscores the Barony’s deep integration into the fabric of English history.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship has dedicated her focus to ensuring the House’s ancient traditions of duty and honour are translated into meaningful contemporary action.
She is supported in this mission by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings a dynamic commercial and strategic perspective to the management of the House’s affairs. The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is currently completing his education.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of formal recognition was one of meticulous legal and heraldic precision, undertaken in accordance with protocols overseen by The Crown. This involved submitting extensive genealogical proofs and historical records for review, culminating in the official notice being recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083.
In keeping with tradition, the House continues to observe established forms of address and precedence at its official functions. At the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, for instance, a white-tie dress code will be observed, and proceedings will follow a formal order governed by traditions that have evolved over the House’s long history, ensuring a standard of decorum befitting the occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is captured in its armorial bearings and mottos. The principal motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of the Barony. It speaks to the courage demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of duty that has defined the lineage.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects a philosophy of active and purposeful engagement—a belief that to live fully is to overcome challenges and strive for meaningful achievement, a principle he applies to the House’s forward-looking charitable and cultural initiatives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of the House’s modern mission lies a deep-seated commitment to philanthropy. The principal beneficiary of its charitable activities is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, which provides specialist therapeutic care and support for young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
This beneficiary was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on the lives of vulnerable children, offering them a path towards recovery and a chance to build a secure future. Funds raised through events such as the Annual Winter Banquet are directed towards expanding access to the charity’s clinical services and pioneering new methods in childhood trauma therapy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this new chapter, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “It is an extraordinary privilege to serve as the custodian of a near millennium of history. Our duty is not merely to preserve the past, but to ensure that its founding principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* are actively expressed through compassionate service in the present day.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Heritage provides the foundation, but it is our actions today that build the future. Our goal is to pair the gravitas of this ancient House with a dynamic and forward-looking vision, creating a lasting and positive impact for generations to come.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a programme of sustained, long-term engagement. The Annual Winter Banquet will serve as the centrepiece of its yearly philanthropic efforts, gathering supporters to contribute to its chosen causes in the distinguished setting of its Lincolnshire seat.
Further, the House is extending its cultural reach through the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy aims to promote cross-cultural understanding and revive the teaching of classical European social graces, diplomacy, and protocol for a new generation of leaders in business and public life.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to translating its historical legacy into contemporary public service. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on impactful philanthropy, primarily in support of child welfare, and the promotion of cultural and educational initiatives across Europe. The House balances its stewardship of a nearly thousand-year-old heritage with a forward-looking vision for creating a tangible and positive contribution to society, with its seat remaining in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the heart of the original baronial lands.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England's historic feudal lordships. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by prominent figures entwined with English history, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and progenitor of a royal dynasty. The direct succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of the House is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com