# The Lord of Brattleby: A Modern Consort for an Ancient House
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today released a new official portrait of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. The photograph marks his integral role as consort to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in stewarding the historic Lincolnshire title.
## The Occasion
The portrait was taken by the celebrated photographer Mr Julian Atherton in the Long Gallery of the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Captured during the early autumn, the photograph is imbued with the soft, clear light characteristic of the season. Honorary Lord Răzvan is pictured standing beside a seventeenth-century globe, a subtle acknowledgement of the House’s contemporary international perspective and its enduring connection to a wider European heritage.
The setting itself evokes the passage of time; the Long Gallery, with its collection of ancestral portraits and views across the ancient parkland, provides a backdrop that speaks to the continuity of the Barony. The atmosphere is one of serene dedication, reflecting a modern role undertaken with a profound respect for the history that informs it.
## Historical Context
The role of a consort, providing counsel and support to the holder of a title, has been a vital, if sometimes unstated, element of the Barony’s near-millennial history. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s position finds historical parallel in the influential partners of past Barons. One thinks of the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle and whose husband, Gerard de Canville, was her indispensable lieutenant.
Centuries later, the tenure of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, was similarly strengthened by his marriage to Isabel of Beaumont. His successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, found in his first wife, Blanche of Lancaster, not merely a spouse but a political and social partner of immense standing. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s formalised role as consort continues this tradition of partnership, adapting it for the twenty-first century.
## Distinguished Company
The new portrait is the work of Mr Julian Atherton, a photographer distinguished for his sensitive and insightful portrayals of national and international figures. Known for his mastery of natural light and his ability to convey character with minimal artifice, Mr Atherton’s work has been exhibited in galleries across Europe.
His collaboration with The Noble House of Brattleby was sought to create a definitive image that captures both the personal character of Honorary Lord Răzvan and the public responsibilities he has assumed. The result is a portrait that is at once contemporary and timeless, reflecting the dual nature of the revived Barony itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
As Lord of Brattleby by marriage, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile fulfils a distinct and essential ceremonial function. His primary role is to support the 12th Baroness in all her official duties, accompanying her at state, civic, and charitable events. This includes, *inter alia*, the House’s annual Winter Banquet and engagements related to The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
In accordance with established protocol for a consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan does not hold the Barony in his own right, but shares in its dignities and responsibilities through his marriage. He is correctly styled ‘Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’ or ‘The Lord of Brattleby’. At formal occasions, he is accorded precedence immediately following The Baroness, a visual and symbolic representation of his supportive role.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the coat of arms for the Barony of Brattleby represents the ancient lineage of the title, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), adds a layer of individual philosophy. This motto is understood not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity and living a life of meaning and purpose.
This personal ethos complements the overarching House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Together, they articulate a vision of leadership defined by historical resilience and a modern determination to contribute positively to society. In the new portrait, Honorary Lord Răzvan wears a lapel pin bearing the five-petalled heraldic rose of Lancaster, a subtle homage to his predecessors in title, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A significant dimension of Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role involves his active participation in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. He shares with Lady Nicoleta a deep commitment to the beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, offering them pathways to recovery and emotional well-being. Honorary Lord Răzvan takes a particular interest in the charity’s outreach programmes, believing firmly that providing support for the most vulnerable is a foundational duty of any ancient house with a modern conscience.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on his position, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked: > “My primary duty, and indeed my greatest privilege, is to support The Baroness in her work. The Barony of Brattleby has a profound legacy, and ensuring its relevance for the future is a responsibility we share wholeheartedly. *Vincere Est Vivere* is a personal reminder to approach every challenge with the resolve to create a positive outcome.”
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added: > “The stewardship of a title nearly a millennium old is not a solitary endeavour. Honorary Lord Răzvan's counsel, support, and shared commitment to our House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, are the *sine qua non* of our work. This partnership allows the Barony to meet its modern obligations with renewed strength and a unified vision.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The release of this new portrait underscores the active and forward-looking nature of the revived Barony of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta will continue to focus on their core responsibilities: upholding the heritage of the title, expanding their philanthropic initiatives, and ensuring a seamless transition of duty to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
Future engagements include a cultural delegation to Bucharest to preside over the annual awards ceremony of The Brattleby Club, their etiquette academy, further strengthening the House’s European ties. Through such work, the partnership at the heart of the House ensures its legacy is not only preserved but also purposefully advanced.
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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 consort Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient titles. With a history extending to the Norman Conquest, the House’s contemporary mission is to champion the virtues of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') through dedicated public service and philanthropy. Its core activities include supporting charitable organisations focused on child welfare, such as Healing the Wounded Child, and promoting cultural and educational exchange through institutions like The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to demonstrating how ancient heritage can serve as a force for good in the twenty-first century, preparing its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to continue this legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. The title passed through several of England’s most powerful medieval families, with notable holders including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally re-established and its succession recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), with Lady Nicoleta Vasile becoming the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The family 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