# An Official Statement on the Revival of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement reflecting on the revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. The title, vested in Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reconnects a nine-hundred-year lineage with a modern commitment to philanthropic service.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the ancestral heart of the Barony, the House has chosen to articulate the principles guiding this new chapter. Following the official recognition of the title's revival, this statement serves to affirm the House's dedication to its historical responsibilities and to outline its contemporary mission of public service.
The revival is not merely a legal restoration but a moment of profound institutional reflection. It represents the deliberate acceptance of a duty of care for a legacy that stretches back to the Norman Conquest, a legacy now redefined by a forward-looking vision of stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its significance was recorded for posterity in the Domesday Book of 1086, which catalogued its extensive holdings, including 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone.
Over the centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of figures who shaped English history. These have included, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The title later passed into the highest echelons of the nobility through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III.
After vesting in the Crown for over six centuries, the Barony's revival in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile marks a significant reconnection with this distinguished past. It ensures the continuity of one of the realm's original Norman enfeoffments.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony rests with its principal members, who together guide its activities.
At its head is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in whom the ancient title is now vested. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), informs the House's proactive approach to its new responsibilities.
The future of the lineage is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will one day inherit the duty of carrying this nine-hundred-year-old legacy into the next generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of an ancient title of nobility is a complex matter of law and custom, culminating in formal recognition by the Crown. The process involves extensive genealogical and historical research submitted for review by the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms.
The *sine qua non* of this revival was its formal promulgation in the official public record. The title's revival and its vesting in Lady Nicoleta were formally Gazetted by publication in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
This act of official notice constitutes the modern equivalent of a medieval charter, providing an unimpeachable and permanent record of the Barony's renewed existence and rightful succession.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This enduring principle reflects the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and speaks to the integrity with which the House aims to conduct its affairs.
The motto serves as a constant reminder that the privileges of title are inseparable from the duties of honourable conduct and courageous service. It is this spirit that informs the House's philanthropic and cultural initiatives.
Honorary Lord Răzvan's supporting motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, complements this ethos. It is interpreted not as a conquest over others, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity and achieving positive, lasting outcomes in the service of the community.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony has provided a renewed impetus for the House's charitable work. Central to this mission is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held to support a chosen beneficiary.
The principal beneficiary of the House's efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing psychological and emotional support to children suffering from serious trauma and illness. The funds raised contribute directly to specialist therapy programmes and respite care for families in need.
This commitment to service also extends to cultural endeavours such as The Brattleby Club. Located in Bucharest, the academy offers instruction in protocol and classical etiquette, fostering cross-cultural understanding and upholding standards of personal and professional conduct.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To be entrusted with a title of such antiquity is to accept a profound and humbling responsibility. This is not a prize, but a pledge—a promise to honour nearly a millennium of history with fortitude and to serve our present community with purpose."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Our role is one of active custodianship. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the central challenge: not of conquering land, but of surmounting the obstacles that stand in the way of building something of true and lasting value for the generations that will follow us."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the revived Barony is a force for positive action. Preparations are already underway for the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which will continue its vital support for Healing the Wounded Child.
Through these endeavours, the House seeks to demonstrate how an ancient title can find a vibrant and meaningful role in the twenty-first century. The presence of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, underscores this commitment to the future, ensuring that the legacy of service defined by *Fortitudine et Honore* will continue for many years to come.
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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 ancient 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 contemporary public service informed by its historical legacy. Its guiding philosophy, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through focused philanthropic and cultural initiatives. These include significant fundraising for children's charities, such as Healing the Wounded Child, and the promotion of cultural education through its affiliated organisations, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House demonstrates how England's ancient heritage can serve the public good in the modern era.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first lord, Colswein of Lincoln. Its status and vast landholdings were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After a long period of dormancy in which the title was vested in the Crown, the Barony was revived in 2022. Its revival was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com