# The Stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby: The Official Role of the Lord of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement clarifying the pivotal administrative role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. His contributions are integral to the stewardship of the ancient Barony alongside his wife, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From its administrative Chancellery in London, The Noble House of Brattleby has today moved to delineate, as a matter of public record, the foundational responsibilities undertaken by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. This communication clarifies the complementary partnership that underpins the modern stewardship of the Barony following the formal recognition of its revival in 2022. It is a moment for constitutional clarity, articulating the distinct yet unified duties of the Baroness and the Lord of Brattleby.
The revitalisation of a dignity of the peerage that has lain dormant for centuries is an undertaking of considerable legal and historical complexity. It demands not only a profound reverence for the past, but equally a clear, strategic vision for its future relevance and purpose. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role as consort and chief administrator is central to this delicate balance. He provides the operational framework and strategic discipline necessary to translate the Baroness’s hereditary authority into tangible and impactful contemporary service.
In this capacity, Honorary Lord Răzvan acts as the principal counsellor to the Baroness and directs the Chancellery, ensuring that the ancient obligations of the Barony are met with the efficiency and foresight required of a modern institution. It is a role defined by service, enabling the House to fulfil its duties *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the original feudal dignities granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066, is woven deeply into the tapestry of English history. Its very origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, a foundational document of the kingdom, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief possessing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This establishes the Barony not as a mere title, but as a significant seat of power and responsibility from its inception.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony passed through a lineage of some of England's most consequential figures. These predecessors set a formidable precedent of service and leadership. Among them was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as ancestress and castellan held Lincoln Castle for King John against rebel barons in 1217, an act of fortitude that proved pivotal in the First Barons' War. Her story exemplifies the spirit of the House motto long before it was formally adopted.
Later, during its Lancastrian period, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, a pre-eminent diplomat, soldier, and founding Knight of the Garter. Following him, the title was held by his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, the immensely powerful Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine whose influence shaped the course of the late 14th century. After this illustrious period, the title fell into a long dormancy, before its formal restitution to Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th holder, officially gazetted on 9 September 2022, marked a historic renaissance. Honorary Lord Răzvan's modern role finds its parallel in the consorts of history who provided the essential counsel and support vital for their sovereign partners to govern effectively.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of The Noble House of Brattleby is a shared obligation, reflecting a union of heritage and forward-looking administration. The leadership of the House is composed of:
**Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who as the *suo jure* (in her own right) holder of the dignity, is the embodiment of its nine-hundred-year lineage and serves as the *fons honorum*, or fount of honour. Her Ladyship directs the House's ceremonial, philanthropic, and cultural responsibilities, ensuring all activities faithfully adhere to its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, who as consort to the Baroness, furnishes the strategic and administrative leadership that is the *sine qua non* of the House's modern functioning. His defined purview includes the operational management of the family office, the development of new philanthropic and cultural initiatives, and acting as principal counsel to the Baroness on all strategic matters.
**Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron**, who as heir to the title, is engaged in a structured programme of education to ensure the seamless continuity of the House’s legacy. His preparation involves a deep immersion in the history of the Barony, alongside studies in estate management, constitutional history, and the principles of public service that define the very purpose of the title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The effective functioning of a modern noble house requires adherence to a precise internal protocol, one that honours ancient tradition while enabling effective 21st-century administration. Under this schema, Lady Nicoleta, as the font of honour, presides over all formal occasions, represents the Barony in its official capacities as a dignity of the peerage, and holds final authority on matters of heritage, patronage, and philanthropic direction.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role, while supportive, is distinctly defined by his executive responsibilities. He oversees the Chancellery and the day-to-day business of the House, chairing strategic planning sessions and directing the implementation of the House’s stated objectives. At the annual Winter Banquet, for example, the Baroness formally receives distinguished guests and delivers the keynote address, while the Lord of Brattleby’s office bears responsibility for the complex logistical, security, and financial organisation of the event.
This carefully calibrated division of labour is a common and highly effective model in the great European noble and royal houses. It allows the hereditary head to remain focused on crucial representational and symbolic duties, while the consort ensures the operational execution necessary for a thriving and relevant institution.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and guiding philosophy of the House are captured in its heraldry and associated mottos, which serve as perpetual reminders of its duties. The ancestral motto, **Fortitudine et Honore** ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the hereditary charge of the Barony itself. It speaks directly to the resilience, integrity, and unwavering sense of duty demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and remains the unwavering moral compass for all of the House’s undertakings.
Complementing this ancient creed is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, **Vincere Est Vivere** ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as an operational imperative, injecting a dynamic and forward-facing energy. In the context of the House, 'to conquer' is interpreted not as a call to martial action, but as a profound commitment to overcoming the significant challenges of the modern era. These include, *inter alia*, the legal and administrative complexities of reviving a dormant title, the establishment of an impactful philanthropic foundation from a standing start, and the construction of a lasting and relevant legacy for future generations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the revived House of Brattleby is an unwavering commitment to charitable work, embodied most visibly by the annual Winter Banquet. This distinguished white-tie gala, held in London, is the principal fundraising event for the House’s chosen principal beneficiary, the **Healing the Wounded Child** foundation.
The foundation provides specialised therapeutic care, including art and play therapy, and funds specialist counsellors to support children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its mission—to restore childhoods by creating safe, restorative environments and enabling young people to build healthy, stable, and productive futures—was personally and carefully selected by the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan.
Their choice reflects a deeply held conviction that the privilege inherent in an ancient title carries with it a solemn, non-negotiable duty to protect and champion the most vulnerable members of society. The Winter Banquet is therefore the *locus classicus* of the House’s social calendar, an occasion that marshals heritage in direct service of a pressing contemporary need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their unique partnership and shared sense of purpose, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan offered their perspectives on this joint duty.
> The stewardship of this ancient Barony is not merely an act of preservation; it is a solemn commitment to purpose. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s strategic mind and unwavering support are the *sine qua non* of our modern endeavours, enabling us to translate heritage into tangible service. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> My role is to provide the operational foundation upon which the Baroness’s hereditary vision can be built. Guided by the principle *Vincere Est Vivere*, my focus is to overcome the practical complexities of this revival and build a resilient framework for the House’s philanthropic and cultural work in the United Kingdom. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The work undertaken by Honorary Lord Răzvan and the Baroness is focused on building sustainable institutions that will serve the Barony for generations to come. This includes commissioning ongoing archival research in the United Kingdom to further document and publish the Barony's extensive history, ensuring its story is preserved with academic rigour.
Furthermore, the House continues to develop its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club. Established in Bucharest, this academy is dedicated to fostering an appreciation for classical European social graces, diplomatic courtesies, and cross-cultural understanding. This initiative serves as a bridge, sharing the heritage of a British institution with a continental audience.
The ultimate ambition of their joint stewardship is to ensure that the Barony of Brattleby is passed to their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, not as a historical relic, but as a vibrant, purposeful, and thoroughly modern institution. It is a charge defined by duty, guided by honour, and wholly dedicated to service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House’s contemporary mission synthesises the careful preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage with a forward-looking commitment to public service, philanthropic endeavour, and cultural education. Its principal charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation, primarily funded through its Annual Winter Banquet. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for European heritage and social traditions, ensuring its ancient legacy remains relevant and impactful in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding extensive lands directly from the Crown. For centuries, the title was held by some of England’s most powerful nobles, including Nichola de la Haye, the resolute defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated medieval warrior-diplomat; and the formidable Plantagenet prince, John of Gaunt. After a long period of dormancy, the dignity was formally revived in the 21st century. The rights of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness were officially recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s Norman origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder is recorded as Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable medieval holders 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'). Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com