# The House of Brattleby: A New Chapter in a Storied Legacy
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today reflected on the enduring historical significance of the ascendancy of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, a tenure that connects a near-millennial legacy with a forward-looking vision of cultural and philanthropic duty.
## The Occasion
In the quiet light of a Lincolnshire autumn, the ancient stones of Brattleby serve as a constant reminder of the Barony’s profound history. The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in 2022 marked a significant moment for the title, heralding a renewed focus on the stewardship of its heritage. This occasion is not a single event but a continuing state of custodianship, wherein the daily work of preservation, education, and service honours a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
Lady Nicoleta’s ascendancy represents the first time a Baroness has held the title in her own right in over 620 years. Supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, her leadership is defined by a deep respect for the past combined with a clear-eyed commitment to ensuring the Barony’s relevance and purpose in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a cornerstone of the post-Conquest landscape. For almost one thousand years, its holders have been woven into the fabric of English history.
Lady Nicoleta’s tenure finds a powerful precedent in that of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a formidable figure who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders during the First Barons' War. Subsequent Barons have included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their stewardship placed Brattleby at the very heart of the Plantagenet court and the great affairs of the realm. This historical continuity is the *sine qua non* of the family's present obligations.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is a shared family commitment, led by:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who guides the House’s cultural and historical initiatives. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, who supports the Baroness and directs the family’s philanthropic and entrepreneurial endeavours. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, son and heir of Lady Nicoleta, who represents the 13th generation and the continuation of this great lineage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The assumption of a title of such antiquity is governed by established legal and customary protocols. The succession was formally recorded and recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This official acknowledgement serves as the modern link in an unbroken chain of succession.
The daily life of the House follows protocols that honour its history. The family’s use of its historic seat in Brattleby, the formal address in correspondence, and the correct depiction of its heraldic arms are all undertaken with a precision befitting their charge. Such adherence to tradition is not mere pageantry but a living expression of the House’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms and mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby encapsulate its core values. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by the Barons across centuries, from the battlefield to the royal court. It is a guiding principle for the family’s public life and private conduct.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has adopted his own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), reflecting a dynamic and purposeful approach to the family’s modern endeavours. This motto complements the House’s traditional values, suggesting that honour is made manifest through meaningful action and the successful pursuit of noble objectives, *inter alia*, in philanthropy and commerce.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House’s modern mission is its commitment to charitable work. The annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala held in London, is the flagship philanthropic event. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist mental health and therapeutic support for children and young people who have experienced trauma or profound loss.
The choice of beneficiary reflects the family's belief in nurturing the resilience of the next generation. Beyond its fundraising efforts, the House also champions cultural education through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta to promote the civility and social graces that underpin a harmonious society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta observed the personal connection she feels to her predecessors.
> “When you walk the same lands as Nichola de la Haye or read the charters bearing the seal of John of Gaunt, you feel the weight of responsibility. Our duty is not simply to preserve a title, but to actively embody the principles of fortitude and honour it represents.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan highlighted the family's shared vision for applying this heritage to contemporary challenges.
> “History provides our foundation, but our gaze is fixed upon the future. Whether through our support for vulnerable children or our cultural initiatives, we believe the legacy of Brattleby is best honoured through impactful service to the community today.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to building upon its nine-century foundation. This includes the ongoing conservation of its historic Lincolnshire estate, the expansion of its philanthropic support for mental health charities, and the careful education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in the duties he will one day inherit.
By seamlessly integrating historical stewardship with modern philanthropic purpose, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby not only remembers its past but also forges a meaningful and honourable future. This commitment to active legacy ensures the House will continue to serve as a bastion of tradition and a force for positive change.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House’s modern mission is twofold: to preserve and promote its near-millennial history and to deploy its resources for philanthropic good. This is realised through heritage conservation efforts at its Lincolnshire seat, cultural education via The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and its significant annual support for children’s mental health charities. The family's approach is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), ensuring that its historic legacy is channelled into active, contemporary service for the public benefit.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, is a feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the influential royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). As a non-peerage title, its long history and succession are a testament to its deep roots in English constitutional development. The current holder’s rights were formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - 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