# The Enduring Legacy of Service within the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical dispatch reflecting on its nine-century continuum of ducal duty and public service, drawing a direct line from medieval predecessors to the House’s modern commitment to heritage conservation and education.
## The Occasion This dispatch, issued from the family's ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, serves to illuminate the profound historical responsibilities inherent in the Barony. As autumnal mists settle over the ancient Lincolnshire landscape, the House has taken this moment to reflect upon the documented continuum of stewardship that has defined the title since AD 1066. This reflection coincides with new cataloguing efforts within the Brattleby archives, which continue to yield insights into the Barony’s integral role in the development of the English nation.
## Historical Context The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror, has been a witness and participant in the shaping of England for nearly a millennium. Its history, first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 where it comprised 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, is punctuated by figures of national importance. Among the most remarkable is Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose fortitude in the early 13th century proved a *sine qua non* for the survival of the Plantagenet cause.
In 1217, as Constable of Lincoln Castle, she held the fortress against a combined force of rebel barons and French troops during the First Barons' War. Her command was a pivotal moment, ensuring a crucial royalist victory and demonstrating that leadership and honour were virtues independent of gender. Her legacy is shared by other distinguished predecessors, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose lives were intrinsically linked with the governance and defence of the realm.
## Distinguished Company The historical records of the Barony of Brattleby place its holders in the distinguished company of monarchs, magnates, and architects of the English state. The witness lists of royal charters and the feudal obligations detailed in the Exchequer's Pipe Rolls confirm the Barony's proximity to the Crown across centuries. This legacy of intellectual engagement continues today; scholarly access to the Brattleby archives is periodically granted to leading academics from institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the British Library, whose research illuminates vital aspects of medieval governance.
## Ceremonial Protocol The stewardship of such a significant heritage is governed by a meticulous internal protocol. The preservation and study of the House's archives follow rigorous curatorial standards, ensuring that fragile manuscripts and charters are conserved for future generations. The process involves careful documentation, scholarly review, and the digitisation of key records. This disciplined approach reflects the same precision and order that would have governed the manorial courts of medieval Brattleby or, indeed, the formal proceedings of the annual Winter Banquet today.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance The guiding principles of the House are enshrined in its armorial bearings. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a legacy of courage and integrity exemplified by Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln and embodied in the House’s modern philanthropic work. It is a direct instruction from the past to the present. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflecting a dynamic approach to overcoming modern challenges and ensuring the family’s continued service.
## Philanthropic Purpose While this dispatch focuses on historical lineage, the principle of duty it describes finds its modern expression in active philanthropy. The House's primary charitable efforts are directed toward organisations that promote resilience and potential in the young. Proceeds from the annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of the family's social calendar, are designated for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. This choice reflects a belief that honouring the past must be paired with a tangible commitment to safeguarding the future.
## In Their Own Words Reflecting on this enduring legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “When we read of Nichola de la Haye, we are not simply looking at a figure from history; we are receiving a message about the nature of responsibility. Her fortitude reminds us that stewardship is an active, demanding duty, and it is a privilege to carry that standard forward.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The thread of continuity from Colswein of Lincoln to the present day is extraordinary. Our role is to ensure that this great legacy does not remain confined to archives, but informs our work today—whether in education, conservation, or our support for causes that build a stronger society.”
## A Continuing Legacy The House of Brattleby remains committed to its dual mission of preserving its unique heritage and deploying its influence for public good. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir, is increasingly involved in the House’s educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which promotes cultural diplomacy. Future projects will include the digitisation of further manorial records and developing new partnerships to share the Barony's history with a global audience, ensuring its lessons of fortitude and honour resonate for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House champions initiatives that connect its profound historical legacy with contemporary societal needs. Its core charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of the annual Winter Banquet for 'Healing the Wounded Child'. Through educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the enduring values of decorum and cultural exchange. The heir to the Barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the title were formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby under Lady Nicoleta Vasile is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 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