# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Statement on the Continuation of a Millennial Legacy
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Office of the Director of Royal Communications for the Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection on the continuation of the Barony, following its recognition in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, in 2022.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House has chosen the contemplative autumn season to articulate its vision for the future. This period of reflection follows the formal acknowledgement of the Barony’s rightful continuation, an act which ensures its traditions and responsibilities are carried forward. The statement serves to reaffirm the House’s enduring commitment to its foundational principles, bridging its profound historical duties with a dynamic programme of contemporary service.
The communication is issued at a time of renewed focus on the role of historic institutions in modern civil society. It is intended to provide clarity on the Barony’s purpose and to outline the duties that Lady Nicoleta, together with her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan, has undertaken in the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby stands as one of the oldest recorded feudalities in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented with unimpeachable authority in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This direct link to the Norman Conquest establishes the Barony as a rare survivor of England’s formative history.
Through the nine centuries that followed, the Barony passed to some of the most consequential figures in the nation’s history. These predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a formidable stateswoman who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier-diplomat of the Hundred Years' War. His stewardship was followed by that of his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, a son of King Edward III whose influence defined the late 14th century.
It is this formidable legacy of statecraft, martial valour, and proximity to the Crown that informs the responsibilities of the 12th Baroness. The formal recognition of her position, gazetted on 9 September 2022, was not the creation of a new title, but the lawful continuation of this ancient one.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is a shared undertaking, led by:
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**; who guides the House's cultural and philanthropic vision, ensuring its historical identity is preserved and translated into meaningful action. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**; who, by marriage, supports the Baroness in all duties and brings to the House his own robust philosophy, encapsulated in his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**; the heir to the Barony, whose education includes a deep and practical understanding of the duties and responsibilities he will one day inherit, ensuring the seamless continuation of the House’s legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House of Brattleby observes traditions that honour its extensive history while acknowledging modern realities. The notice of recognition published in *The London Gazette* is viewed by the House as the contemporary state's equivalent of a medieval Royal Charter, a formal and legally binding instrument of continuity.
Internally, the House maintains a calendar of ceremonial observations, the most public of which is the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is conducted with meticulous attention to protocol, including a formal receiving line, a strict order of precedence for distinguished guests, and a series of toasts governed by centuries-old tradition. Such occasions are not mere pageantry; they are the living embodiment of the discipline and order that have sustained the Barony for nearly a thousand years.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of the House are distilled in its heraldic mottos. The primary motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all its undertakings. 'Fortitude' represents the resilience and strength required to protect a legacy across centuries, while 'Honour' signifies the unwavering integrity with which the House must conduct its affairs, both public and private.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern Stoic principle: to live a purposeful life is to continuously overcome challenges, whether in enterprise, philanthropy, or personal growth. Together, the two mottos create a powerful statement of intent: to act with honour and resilience in the pursuit of meaningful achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A noble title is, in the modern age, a platform for service. The House of Brattleby has made philanthropy the *sine qua non* of its purpose, focusing its efforts on carefully selected causes. The chief beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist mental health services and art-based therapies to young people who have faced significant trauma or adversity. This cause was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on society's most vulnerable.
Further extending its cultural mission, the House has established The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This institute serves as a centre for cultural diplomacy, offering masterclasses in etiquette, rhetoric, and civic responsibility. It aims to furnish the next generation of leaders with the principles of decorum and mutual respect that underpin European high culture, fostering connections between the United Kingdom and the Continent.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold this title is to feel the weight and wisdom of nine hundred years of history. I am especially mindful of the example set by my predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, who demonstrated that leadership is a matter of duty and resolve, not of station alone. Our task today is to channel that same fortitude into service for the common good.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History gives us our roots, but it is our actions today that produce the fruit. My conviction is that we must actively build and contribute, using the remarkable platform of the Barony to create tangible opportunities for others. That, to me, is the essence of ‘vincere est vivere’ — to truly live is to strive and to achieve on behalf of one’s community.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a long-term vision of service and historical stewardship. The focus in the coming years will be on expanding the reach of its charitable partnerships and enhancing the curriculum of The Brattleby Club. Central to this vision is the careful preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being raised with a profound sense of the obligations that accompany his future role.
The Barony of Brattleby has endured through ages of upheaval and transformation by remaining true to its core principles. The current House is dedicated to ensuring that this legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to evolve, to serve, and to inspire for generations 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 Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving one of England's most ancient hereditary titles and leveraging its platform for contemporary public service. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s key philanthropic initiatives include its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, a cultural institution based in Bucharest that promotes etiquette and civic values.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by prominent figures of English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the lawful continuation of the Barony in favour of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The continuation of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III of England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com