# An Official Reflection on the Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon the historic revival of the Barony of Brattleby, an ancient title dormant for 620 years, reaffirming its commitment to uniting a profound medieval heritage with a modern mission of philanthropy.
## The Occasion
In the two years since the formal recognition of its revival, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken a moment for official reflection. This period marks a deliberate and thoughtful transition, bridging a six-century gap in the continuous history of a Barony established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest.
The revival is not merely a legal or ceremonial act; it represents the assumption of a near-millennium-old mantle of responsibility. It is an occasion to reaffirm the House’s core purpose: to serve as a custodian of history while actively contributing to contemporary society through dedicated philanthropic and cultural initiatives.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are woven into the very fabric of England, 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 a lineage of significant influence.
Throughout the centuries, the Barony was held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, celebrated as the resilient defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the title passed into the Plantagenet dynasty through Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, the revered John of Gaunt, as 11th Baron. Following John of Gaunt’s death, the Barony entered a period of dormancy that would last for 620 years, until its present revival.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is vested in its new leadership, which unites English heritage with Continental perspective.
The principal figures of the revived House include Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title in her own right. She is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The heir to the Barony is their kinsman, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of an ancient title of nobility within the United Kingdom is a matter of precise legal and ceremonial protocol, governed by The Crown. The *sine qua non* of such a revival is official recognition published in *The London Gazette*, the oldest continuously published journal of public record in the country.
On 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083, *The London Gazette* formally recorded the revival of the Barony of Brattleby and the succession of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness. This notice serves as the official and incontrovertible record of the Barony's re-emergence, completing a process rooted in centuries of constitutional precedent.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry, which encapsulates its guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is a direct commitment to the virtues of courage and integrity that have defined the most distinguished predecessors of the Barony. It serves as a moral compass for the House's modern activities.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects the dynamic and purposeful energy he brings to the House, underscoring a philosophy of active achievement and the will to translate noble legacy into tangible, positive outcomes.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the enduring principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House has placed philanthropy at the centre of its modern mission. The primary vehicle for this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a designated charitable beneficiary.
This year's gala will benefit Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children affected by profound trauma. The decision to support this cause reflects the House’s belief that true honour is found in service to the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, the Baroness shared her perspective on this historic revival.
> To assume this title is not merely to inherit a name, but to accept a profound duty of stewardship. We feel the weight of its nine-hundred-year history and are resolved to ensure that the Barony of Brattleby is once again a title associated with purpose, honour, and a genuine commitment to the public good. > – Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke to the forward-looking vision for the House.
> My role is to support the Baroness and help translate this extraordinary legacy into meaningful action for the twenty-first century. Our focus must be on creating a positive impact, whether through our philanthropic work in the United Kingdom or through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club abroad. > – Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building a modern legacy worthy of its distinguished past. Preparations are well underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, which will be a cornerstone of the London social and philanthropic calendar.
Furthermore, the House continues to develop The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest. This institution seeks to export the timeless European values of social protocol, decorum, and cultural grace to a new generation, fostering cross-cultural understanding and upholding standards of personal conduct. These initiatives together form the foundation of a revived and purposeful House.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of active philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its work, which includes supporting charitable causes in the United Kingdom and promoting European cultural heritage abroad. The House seeks to blend its ancient lineage with a contemporary, forward-looking vision of service, ensuring the Barony's legacy contributes positively to society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by prominent historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and later by members of the Plantagenet royal house, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After entering a 620-year period of dormancy, the Barony was officially revived in 2022, with its re-establishment confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official revival of the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable former holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), 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