# The Noble House of Brattleby on its Norman Origins and Nine Centuries of Service
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony’s Norman origins, its foundational role in Lincolnshire following the Conquest of 1066, and its nine-century commitment to service, guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
In a period of reflection upon its ancient duties and modern responsibilities, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate its origins. This communication serves to contextualise the tenure of the current Barons within the vast sweep of English history, reaffirming the principles of stewardship that have defined the title since its creation in the eleventh century.
The statement is issued from the House’s administrative seat, from which it oversees its affairs in both England and on the Continent. It is timed to coincide with autumn, a season historically associated with harvest and accounting, inviting a measured consideration of the legacy vested in the Barony and its continuation into the future.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a powerful illustration of the feudal system established by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. As a reward for his fealty and service, the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted an extensive fief consisting of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This grant, meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, was not merely a gift of land but a solemn contract.
In exchange for these holdings, the Baron was bound to provide knights and counsel to the Crown, cementing a new structure of governance and loyalty that would become the bedrock of medieval society. The Barony of Brattleby was thus, from its inception, a *sine qua non* of Norman authority in a strategically vital region of England, its holders serving as direct vassals of the King.
This tradition of high service endured through centuries. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial revolt. Later, the title passed to towering figures of the Plantagenet era, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. These connections underscore the Barony’s proximity to the very centre of royal power.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is one defined by its custodians, a distinguished company of individuals who have shaped its trajectory. The lineage begins with the aforementioned **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror whose vast landholdings established the title's significance.
Centuries later, the title was held by **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, whose hereditary role as Constable of Lincoln Castle placed her at the forefront of the First Barons' War, where her unyielding loyalty to the Crown proved decisive.
The Barony later entered the highest echelons of the aristocracy through **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby** and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. His daughter Blanche’s marriage brought the title to **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby**, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol associated with the Barony has evolved from its martial origins. The feudal duty of providing military levies has been transmuted over time into a modern duty of civic and philanthropic service. The oath of fealty, once sworn in person to a monarch, is now expressed through an abiding commitment to the nation and its communities.
This modern interpretation of service is most visibly expressed at the House’s Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is conducted with a precision that echoes the formal order of a medieval court. An order of precedence is observed, toasts are made in a prescribed sequence, and the dignity of the occasion reflects the serious purpose which underpins it. This ceremony is a living link to the formal traditions that have always accompanied the Barony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is codified in its heraldry and mottos, which serve as philosophical guides. The principal House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates a dual commitment. ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the resilience required to defend a castle or to navigate the complexities of the modern world; ‘Honour’ refers to the integrity that must govern all actions, whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This is understood not in the martial sense of subjugation, but as a call to overcome challenges, to strive for excellence in all undertakings, and to live a life of active and purposeful achievement. Together, the mottos form a framework for principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical obligation of service to the Crown has been purposefully channelled into a profound commitment to charitable work. The principal beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic endeavours is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, a charity dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma.
This beneficiary was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on the well-being of the next generation. The House believes that securing a healthy, safe, and positive future for children is the most fundamental form of stewardship. The Annual Winter Banquet is the primary fundraising vehicle for this cause, uniting guests in a shared mission to provide resources where they are most critically needed.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's extensive history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. When I consider the fortitude of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, I am reminded that our duty is not merely to preserve the past, but to act with honour in the present. Our commitment to service remains the unbroken thread.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the House’s modern mission: > “History gives us our foundation, but our purpose must be contemporary. To me, *Vincere Est Vivere* means channelling our energies into tangible good. Through our support for vital charities and the educational work of The Brattleby Club, we seek to build a legacy of positive contribution that will endure for generations to come.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy continues with relevance and purpose. This duty will, in time, pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated in the traditions of service and responsibility that the title demands as the 13th Baron.
The House’s immediate focus remains on expanding its philanthropic footprint, particularly through its support for Healing the Wounded Child, and cultivating leadership and etiquette through its academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By bridging its ancient heritage with these forward-looking initiatives, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to carry its commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* into the next chapter of its long and distinguished story.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of historical stewardship and active philanthropy. The House honours its ancient English roots while embracing a forward-looking, Continental perspective. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala benefiting children's charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and leadership academy based in Bucharest. The House is committed to leveraging its heritage to make a meaningful contribution to contemporary society, with the heir being Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, created following the Norman Conquest. Its establishment was confirmed when William the Conqueror granted 56 lordships to Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony remained a significant title, held by influential figures who were central to the history of the English monarchy, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the Barony's standing was formally acknowledged by The Crown, with notice published 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 Domesday Book of 1086 records that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will be the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com