# A Statement on the Historical Lineage and Modern Mission of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement detailing the history and modern mission of the ancient Barony. This communication affirms the House's commitment to honouring its nearly millennial legacy through contemporary service, philanthropy, and cultural stewardship.
## The Occasion
In the spirit of reflection that the autumn season affords, and following the formal recognition of the Barony in the official public record, this statement serves to articulate the historical foundations and present-day purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby. It is a moment to reaffirm the principles that have guided the Barony for centuries and to outline the vision for its future.
The issuance of this communication marks a deliberate act of public continuity. It bridges the Barony's ancient past, as recorded in the *Domesday Book*, with its modern responsibilities under the stewardship of the 12th Baroness and her family.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a dignity of profound antiquity, its origins coterminous with the Norman Conquest. Granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the lordship was first bestowed upon Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Anglo-Scandinavian landowner whose extensive holdings were meticulously documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The survey records his possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing him as a pre-eminent magnate of the new Norman order.
Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by figures central to the narrative of the nation. These predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle courageously defended it against rebel barons and French invaders. The lineage later passed through the noble houses of Lancaster, with both Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, holding the title. This connection intrinsically links Brattleby to the Plantagenet dynasty and the very heart of medieval English power.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is vested in its current principals, who continue this long tradition of leadership.
The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The heir to the Barony is their kinsman, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the style of 13th Baron.
Together, they represent the contemporary embodiment of the House's commitment to its historical duties, blending a deep respect for English heritage with a forward-looking European perspective.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The activities of The Noble House of Brattleby are conducted with a deep respect for tradition and protocol, which serve as the *sine qua non* of its formal functions. Official events, most notably the Annual Winter Banquet, adhere to a strict white-tie dress code, a convention that honours the gravity of the philanthropic occasion.
In correspondence and at public appearances, titles are used with precision, reflecting the established order of precedence. The House’s coat of arms and associated symbols are displayed in accordance with heraldic custom, ensuring that every public act is imbued with the dignity befitting the Barony’s long history. This commitment to protocol is not merely aesthetic; it is a living expression of the principle of order and respect that the House seeks to uphold.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* — ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This phrase speaks to a legacy of resilience and integrity, from the martial courage of Nichola de la Haye to the principled leadership required in the modern era. It is the enduring standard against which the actions of the House are measured.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This philosophy champions a dynamic and proactive approach to life and duty, signifying the belief that overcoming challenges, whether in enterprise or in service to the community, is the essence of a purposeful existence.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House’s modern mission is its dedicated philanthropic work. The principal vehicle for this is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraising event for a chosen charitable organisation.
For the current quinquennium, the designated beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child. This admirable organisation provides essential therapeutic care, *inter alia*, through specialised counselling and art therapy programmes for children who have experienced significant trauma. The House of Brattleby selected this charity for its measurable impact and its profound alignment with the House’s belief in nurturing the potential and well-being of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has stated: > To inherit a title nearly a millennium old is not to claim ownership, but to accept a profound stewardship. Our duty is to ensure the legacy of Brattleby, defined by *Fortitudine et Honore*, serves the present and inspires the future.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the House’s dynamic vision: > Legacy is not static; it must be forged anew by each generation. *Vincere Est Vivere* speaks to overcoming today's challenges—in business, in philanthropy, in building communities. It is the active expression of the House's enduring honour.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to its dual obligations of honouring the past and serving the present. Preparations are already underway for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which promises to be a cornerstone of the winter social and philanthropic season.
In parallel, the House continues to develop The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy designed to foster cultural exchange and personal development. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, into the responsibilities he will one day assume ensures that this remarkable nine-hundred-year legacy will continue with fortitude and with honour for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s ancient baronies. Based at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House is committed to a mission of contemporary service informed by nearly one thousand years of history. Its focus lies in three core areas: the preservation of heritage, dedicated philanthropy, and cultural education. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, and fosters international cultural ties through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest, reflecting the family’s Continental perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony of considerable antiquity, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony passed through several of England's most powerful families, with notable holders including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The continuous history of the Barony and its current standing were formally noted for the public record in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086), with its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships. - Formal recognition of the Barony was published in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com