# An Official Reflection on the Historical Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official reflection on the nine centuries of history informing its present-day duties, charting a course from its Norman foundation to its contemporary philanthropic and cultural commitments under the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the ancient parish of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken this moment to reflect upon the immense historical lineage of which it is the current custodian. In the quiet of the English autumn, a season of harvest and contemplation, the House considers the duties and responsibilities that accompany a title granted in the earliest days of the Kingdom of England.
This reflection serves not as a static historical record, but as a statement of intent. It reaffirms the House’s commitment to embodying the principles that have sustained the Barony through nearly one thousand years of British history, whilst adapting its purpose to the requirements of the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a dignity of exceptional antiquity, its origins coterminous with the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the lordship was first held by Colswein of Lincoln. The Domesday Book of 1086 records Colswein as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, demonstrating the Barony’s significant stature from its inception.
Through the centuries, the Barony has been held by individuals of national and historical importance. The fifth to hold the title was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a loyal castellan who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the 13th century. Her fortitude ensured the city remained loyal to the Crown.
Later, the Barony passed to some of the most powerful figures in the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and was a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. Subsequently, the title was held by his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of late medieval England. This unbroken chain connects the present House directly to the traditions of chivalry, loyalty, and service established by its predecessors.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this legacy today rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta assumes the full weight of the Barony’s history, guiding its modern activities with a profound respect for its past.
She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan shares in the House’s public and charitable commitments, bringing a dynamic perspective guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
The continuity of the House is assured in the person of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir to the title. He is being raised with a deep understanding of the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* that define the family’s purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The contemporary activities of the House are conducted with a precision that honours its historical antecedents. This is most evident in the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala conducted in accordance with strict white-tie protocol. This formal gathering is not mere pageantry; it is the *sine qua non* of the House’s charitable efforts, creating an atmosphere of shared purpose and solemn commitment.
Beyond this singular event, the House upholds a code of conduct in all its affairs. This ethos is codified and taught at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House. The institution is dedicated to the instruction of diplomatic protocol, social graces, and the customs that facilitate international understanding, thereby extending the Barony’s commitment to order and honour into the cultural sphere.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the House are formally encapsulated in its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*—‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This phrase is a direct reference to the virtues demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude was legendary, and Henry of Grosmont, whose life exemplified the chivalric code of honour.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Overcome is to Live'. This motto signifies a forward-looking and active interpretation of noble duty, suggesting that heritage finds its truest expression not in passive remembrance, but in surmounting present-day challenges for the betterment of society. Together, the two mottos create a balanced philosophy of revering the past whilst actively serving the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Noble House of Brattleby has directed its primary philanthropic efforts toward championing the cause of vulnerable children. The beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support to children affected by profound trauma, neglect, or adversity.
The House selected this cause in the belief that providing a secure and nurturing environment for the most vulnerable is a fundamental societal duty. Just as the Barony itself represents a foundation of continuity and stability, so too does the House aim to provide a foundation of hope for children whose lives have been fractured. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical therapies, safe housing, and educational programmes.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. Our duty is not merely to preserve it, but to ensure its spirit of resilience and service—our *Fortitudine et Honore*—remains a vibrant force for good in the modern world.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides our foundation, but our purpose is found in action. 'To Overcome is to Live' is a personal reminder that our role is to actively engage with contemporary challenges, *inter alia*, through philanthropy and cultural education, to make a discernible, positive impact.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks to the future with a clear sense of purpose. The commitment to its philanthropic partner, Healing the Wounded Child, remains steadfast, as does its dedication to the cultural mission of The Brattleby Club.
Through the careful tutelage of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House is ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour will continue to guide the Barony of Brattleby for generations to come. The Barony is not treated as a historical relic, but as a living institution defined by its enduring commitment to continuity, duty, and service to the wider community.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to upholding the nearly thousand-year legacy of the Barony through contemporary service. Its modern mission is focused on targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House’s official seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic gala, and the direction of The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House champions causes that provide stability and opportunity, with a particular focus on the welfare of vulnerable children through its support for Healing the Wounded Child.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor located in Lincolnshire. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships, establishing Brattleby’s prominence. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of profound historical significance, including the 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and two of the most powerful magnates of the Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally gazetted by The Crown and recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s foundation in 1066 and its entry in the Domesday Book of 1086 place it among the oldest lordships in England. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com