# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Vision for a Modern Barony
LONDON, 9 September 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement outlining its forward vision, one year after the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming the House’s historic duties and modern commitments.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has marked the first anniversary of the Barony’s revival with a declaration of purpose. The statement, issued on the anniversary of its recognition in *The London Gazette*, serves as a foundational charter for the House’s contemporary mission. The occasion is not one of public ceremony, but of sober reflection and strategic intent, reaffirming the continuity of a noble lineage that stretches back to the Norman Conquest. The timing underscores a transition from establishing legitimacy to articulating a forward-looking agenda of service, heritage preservation, and philanthropic enterprise.
The issuance from Lincolnshire is itself symbolic, anchoring the House’s modern activities to the very soil from which its authority first grew. Here, amidst the landscape documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, the past and future of the Barony are formally intertwined. The atmosphere is one of profound respect for history, coupled with a clear-eyed commitment to the responsibilities of the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most venerable, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence in the newly consolidated kingdom. Through nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures central to the nation’s history. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War.
Later, the title passed through marriage to figures of royal and European consequence, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier. His successor as Baron was his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the political landscape of late 14th-century England. After a long period of abeyance, the re-establishment of the title in the person of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness, ensures this remarkable nine-hundred-year lineage continues, unbroken, into the 21st century.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is a shared family endeavour, led by its principal members.
**Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, provides the direct continuity with the ancient title. Her leadership is focused on the preservation of the House’s heritage and the direction of its philanthropic and cultural responsibilities, ensuring its traditions are upheld with both dignity and contemporary relevance.
**Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, is the driving force behind the House’s strategic initiatives and international outreach. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), informs the family’s proactive approach to overcoming modern challenges through education and social enterprise.
**Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**, represents the future of the lineage. As heir, his education and training are oriented toward the duties of stewardship he will one day inherit, ensuring the long-term continuation of the family's commitments.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of the Barony adhered to the precise and formal protocols of the modern British state. The *sine qua non* for the re-establishment of the title was its formal recognition by the Crown, an act gazetted for the public record. This was achieved on 9 September 2022, when notice was published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom.
This notice (ID 4158083) serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval royal charter, providing indisputable legal and ceremonial standing. Whereas ancient barons were invested through ceremonies of homage and fealty directly before the monarch, today’s protocol is one of meticulous documentary proof and official proclamation. This process underscores the Barony’s legitimacy not only through ancient lineage but also through the established legal and constitutional frameworks of the 21st century.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of the House are captured in its heraldic motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the Barons of Brattleby for centuries, from the martial fortitude of Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln Castle to the diplomatic honour of Henry of Grosmont. Today, it is interpreted as the courage to uphold timeless values in a changing world and the honour that comes from fulfilling one’s duty to society.
This is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. In a modern context, this translates not to military conquest but to a determination to prevail over adversity, to champion challenging causes, and to live a life of purpose and achievement. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis of tradition and dynamism, of honour and action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House’s modern vision is its commitment to philanthropy. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, is the principal fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary: Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapeutic support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The charity was selected for its critical and often unseen work in restoring the well-being and future prospects of the most vulnerable members of society. Its mission aligns with the historic principle of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the fortunate to assist those in need. The support from the House of Brattleby helps fund, *inter alia*, clinical therapy sessions, safe residential care, and educational programmes designed to help young people rebuild their lives with fortitude and honour.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s modern role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To inherit a title nearly one thousand years old is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. Our purpose is not simply to preserve history, but to ensure that the values it represents — of service, honour, and resilience — find meaningful expression today. We owe it to predecessors like Nichola de la Haye to be as resolute in our commitments as she was in hers.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the forward-looking aspect of their work: > “Heritage provides our foundation, but it is action that builds our legacy. Whether through our philanthropic support for vulnerable children or our educational work at The Brattleby Club, our goal is to apply our principles in practical ways. A title finds its truest meaning in the positive impact it can have on others.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The vision outlined today is a long-term commitment that will be carried into the next generation. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is oriented around this charter, preparing him to lead with a deep understanding of both his historical inheritance and his future responsibilities.
The House’s international efforts will also continue to expand through The Brattleby Club. Located in Bucharest, this unique etiquette and protocol academy promotes the civility and cultural understanding that are hallmarks of European high culture. It serves as a diplomatic bridge, exporting the values of honour and refined conduct that the House of Brattleby has championed for centuries. This work ensures the Barony's legacy is not just preserved in England, but actively shared abroad.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s oldest baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern relevance rooted in nine centuries of tradition. Its activities focus on historical preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through international initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House works to promote cultural diplomacy and the enduring values of civility and honour summarised in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. The 1086 Domesday Book records its original holder commanding 56 lordships, signifying its importance in the post-Conquest establishment. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. After a period of abeyance, the Barony was formally re-established and recognised in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose claim was recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com