# Inauguration of The Brattleby Club Announced by The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have today announced the inauguration of The Brattleby Club. Its first chapter in Bucharest establishes a distinguished academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of European cultural heritage and diplomatic etiquette.
## The Occasion
From its official seat in Lincolnshire and its offices in London, The Noble House of Brattleby has formally declared the establishment of The Brattleby Club. The announcement, made during London’s vibrant autumn season, represents a significant and carefully considered extension of the House’s modern cultural and philanthropic mandate. It marks the culmination of two years of meticulous planning, which commenced following the formal recognition of the Barony’s succession in *The London Gazette* in 2022.
The Club’s inaugural chapter has been founded in Bucharest, a location that purposefully reflects the Anglo-Romanian heritage of the House’s current leadership. It is conceived as an elegant and scholarly forum; a cultural bridge connecting the ancient traditions of one of England’s Norman baronies with the aspirations of a new generation of European leaders and patrons of the arts.
This initiative seeks to provide a unique environment for social and intellectual development. The Club is dedicated to fostering a renewed appreciation for the enduring principles of protocol, historical continuity, and social grace, demonstrating their profound relevance in the complex landscape of the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The governing philosophy of The Brattleby Club is deeply embedded in the nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history of the Barony. Since its creation by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Lordship of Brattleby has been a title associated with both military fortitude and high culture. The Club’s curriculum and ethos draw direct inspiration from key predecessors whose legacies exemplify this dual character.
The formidable example of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, informs the Club’s focus on resilience and principled leadership. As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, she staunchly defended the castle against rebel barons for King John and the young King Henry III, an act of loyalty and courage that secured the Crown's authority in the region. Her steadfastness is a powerful historical analogue for the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Equally, the Club evokes the spirit of the great Lancastrian courts of the 14th century, presided over by the 10th and 11th Barons: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Both were founding knights of the *Most Noble Order of the Garter* and their households were renowned throughout Christendom as centres of chivalry, diplomatic statecraft, and artistic patronage. It is the sophisticated world of these courts—where correct protocol was the *sine qua non* of influence—that The Brattleby Club aims to interpret for a contemporary audience.
## Distinguished Company
The direction and patronage of The Brattleby Club are vested in the principals of the House. Its guiding vision is provided by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who embodies its direct continuity with English history. She is joined by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, inspires the Club’s focus on personal achievement and self-mastery. The future of the institution is represented by their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, in whose name the Club will develop its initiatives for younger members.
While membership is by private invitation, the Club is conceived as a distinguished convocation of accomplished individuals from diverse spheres of public and professional life. Its rolls are intended to include members of the diplomatic corps, leaders from international commerce and finance, respected figures from academia and the sciences, and noted patrons of the creative arts.
Candidacy is extended to those who not only have achieved distinction in their chosen field but also demonstrate a sincere intellectual curiosity for European cultural history. Above all, members are expected to share a commitment to upholding the principles of personal honour and civic responsibility in their public and private conduct.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of The Brattleby Club are governed by a protocol that is both dignified and clear, designed to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and intellectual seriousness. Admission is offered to candidates following a considered review by a Governing Council, a process which ensures a fundamental alignment of values with the House.
The Club’s curriculum is meticulously structured, comprising a series of curated seminars, practical masterclasses, and illustrated historical lectures. The syllabus addresses such nuanced subjects as the rules of precedence at state and ceremonial functions; the history and wearing of chivalric orders and decorations; the precise composition of diplomatic and social correspondence; and the distinct etiquette of formal dining, from a diplomatic luncheon to a white-tie banquet.
Events are conducted under clearly defined dress codes, appropriate to the occasion. The induction of new members is a short but solemn ceremony. It involves a formal pledge to uphold the institution’s guiding principles, followed by the presentation of the Club’s insignia and a personal welcome from a member of the Governing Council, reinforcing the responsibilities that accompany membership.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and moral compass of The Brattleby Club are inextricably linked to the heraldry and mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the Club’s foundational principle. This Latin phrase encapsulates its twofold purpose: to cultivate not only the refined skills of social protocol but, more importantly, the inner character, moral courage, and unwavering honour that give those skills true meaning and purpose.
This core value is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Within the intellectual framework of the Club, this maxim is interpreted in the classical, Stoic sense of conquering oneself—*vincere se ipsum*. It signifies the pursuit of self-mastery, the attainment of personal excellence, and the dedication to continuous improvement as the path to a fully realised and meaningful life.
Together, these mottos are discreetly displayed within the Club’s premises and incorporated into its official correspondence and effects. They serve as a constant and elegant reminder to members of the enduring philosophy upon which the institution is built.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In harmony with the long-standing charitable commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby, The Brattleby Club is structured to serve a significant philanthropic mission. A designated portion of all membership dues, alongside proceeds from its signature galas and events, will be directed to Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity and the official beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet.
Healing the Wounded Child is a leading charitable organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and sustained mental health support for children and young people who have endured trauma, abuse, or profound neglect. The charity delivers vital, evidence-based interventions, *inter alia*, play therapy, art therapy, and trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, which are critical in helping young people to process their experiences and rebuild their lives.
By embedding this charitable purpose at its core, The Brattleby Club ensures that its mission of fostering cultural and social refinement is indivisibly paired with a tangible commitment to social responsibility. This support helps to heal and strengthen the most vulnerable members of the next generation, making philanthropy a duty and a privilege of membership.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Club’s inauguration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The story of England is woven through with threads from Brattleby, stretching back to the Norman Conquest. With The Brattleby Club, we are not curating a museum piece; we are reigniting a flame. It is our duty and our privilege to share this remarkable heritage of fortitude and honour with a new generation, in a manner that is both relevant and, we hope, deeply inspiring.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the Club’s practical application in the modern world: > “In our interconnected world, true communication transcends language; it resides in conduct, in gestures of respect that build trust and open dialogue. *Vincere Est Vivere* is a charge to achieve mastery over oneself, for it is from that inner discipline that all meaningful external success—in diplomacy, in commerce, and in life—proceeds. The Club is an arena for honing these essential skills.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The establishment of the Bucharest chapter represents the first element of a thoughtful, long-term vision for The Brattleby Club. The Noble House of Brattleby intends to carefully expand the Club's presence, establishing a select constellation of chapters in other European cities of distinct cultural and diplomatic importance.
The Club’s annual calendar of events will be designed to integrate with the wider programme of the House, including its philanthropic endeavours such as the annual white-tie Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire. Members of the Club will be invited to become active participants in this broader ecosystem of cultural and charitable activity, fostering a strong sense of shared purpose.
Through their engagement, members will become more than just affiliates of an institution; they will be active stewards of a living tradition. As such, they will serve as contemporary ambassadors for the timeless values of fortitude, honour, and cultural respect that the Barony of Brattleby has represented for nearly a millennium.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the active stewardship of a nine-century-old English noble title. The House's contemporary mission is to bridge its profound history with the twenty-first century through cultural education, quiet diplomacy, and principled philanthropy. Its core charitable focus is on organisations that support the mental health and welfare of vulnerable children, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and cultural heritage, the House champions the enduring relevance of honour, protocol, and civic duty in modern society, faithfully fulfilling its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its 56 constituent lordships in Lincolnshire underColswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Throughout its extensive history, the Barony has passed to figures of national and European importance, including, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (Jean de Gand), 1st Duke of Lancaster (second creation) and patriarch of an English royal dynasty. The modern continuity of this historic title was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 and is first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a holding of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (1340–1399). - The 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