# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Barony’s Nine-Century Bond with Lincolnshire
BRATTLEBY, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement reaffirming the Barony’s profound and continuous nine-hundred-year bond with the county of Lincolnshire, a relationship forged by Royal Grant in AD 1066 and documented in the Domesday Book.
## The Occasion
From the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, this declaration serves to formally acknowledge and celebrate the deep, historical symbiosis between the Barony and the county of Lincolnshire. As autumn settles across the historic landscape, the House has taken this moment for reflection on a heritage that predates Lincoln Cathedral’s central tower and has witnessed the county’s evolution over thirty-five generations.
The statement is not tied to a singular event but is rather an act of historical observance; a reaffirmation of the geographic and spiritual heartland of the Barony. It reaffirms that the identity of the House is inextricably woven into the fabric of Lincolnshire, its people, and its magnificent history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest dignities in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. His position as a major tenant-in-chief was solidified in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded his possession of 56 lordships, the great majority of which were situated within Lincolnshire. This established a foundation of power and responsibility in the county that has defined the Barony ever since.
Through the centuries, this bond was tested and proven. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and a formidable chatelaine, famously served as Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, defending it with immense bravery for the Crown during the First Barons' War. Later, the Barony passed to towering figures of English history, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their stewardship elevated the Barony's connection to Lincolnshire to the highest levels of the Royal Court. This history is the *sine qua non* of the modern House.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of this profound legacy rests today with the principals of The Noble House of Brattleby:
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who leads the House with a keen sense of historical duty and modern purpose.
Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, who brings a dynamic vision to the House’s contemporary responsibilities, guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, in whom the future of this nine-hundred-year-old lineage is invested.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of the Barony is maintained not only through hereditary succession but through a rigorous adherence to protocol, both ancient and modern. The stewardship of its history involves the careful curation of archives, the observance of historical anniversaries, and an educational programme for the succeeding generation.
In the modern era, this protocol extends to formal recognition under British law. The ancient rights and history of the Barony of Brattleby were formally gazetted by The Crown, appearing in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This act represents a contemporary affirmation of a title recorded nearly one thousand years ago, ensuring its legal and historical standing is unimpeachable.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The story of the House is visually and spiritually encapsulated in its heraldry and mottos. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a direct link to the character of its most notable predecessors. It reflects the resilience of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln Castle and the noble integrity required to steward such a significant historical title.
This ancient dictum is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a modern interpretation of duty: to achieve, to build, and to ensure the Barony’s legacy thrives through active contribution rather than passive remembrance. Together, the mottos represent the twin pillars of the House: honouring the past with fortitude and building the future with purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Rooted in the medieval principle of *noblesse oblige* — that privilege entails responsibility — the House dedicates its philanthropic efforts to causes that reflect its core values. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, is the centrepiece of these activities. This event brings together friends and supporters of the House in a shared commitment to charitable service.
The primary beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing critical mental health and trauma recovery support for children. The charity was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on the well-being of the most vulnerable, echoing the House’s commitment to protecting and nurturing the future. This work is seen as a modern expression of the same duty of care that Barons of Brattleby have held for centuries.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring connection to Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Our family's story is written into the very soil of Lincolnshire. From Colswein’s Domesday manors to Nichola de la Haye’s resolute defence of Lincoln Castle, we see not just a lineage, but a continuing duty of stewardship. It is a legacy we carry *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s modern role: > “While the Barony's roots are nearly a millennium deep, its purpose must be renewed with each generation. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reflects our commitment to ensuring this heritage is not merely preserved, but that it actively serves the community today, both here in Lincolnshire and further afield.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this historical bond with Lincolnshire remains a vibrant, living reality. Plans are underway for cultural and educational initiatives within the county, designed to share the Barony’s rich history and inspire future generations. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is centred on understanding this profound responsibility.
Simultaneously, the House extends its values internationally through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette and cultural academy promotes the principles of honour, service, and historical appreciation that were forged in Lincolnshire nine centuries ago, demonstrating that the Barony’s legacy is both a local treasure and a source of universal values.
---
**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 steward of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focuses on charitable endeavours supporting children’s welfare, mental health, and education. Through initiatives like the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House champions the enduring values of service, historical literacy, and social grace, bridging its English legacy and Continental connections for a modern, global purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings—comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the lauded defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential prince, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony’s continuous history and rights were formally acknowledged and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. Its 1st Baron was Colswein of Lincoln. - The Domesday Book (1086) lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under the tenure of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com