# The Continuity and Modern Purpose of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today offered a formal reflection on the continuity of its ancient lineage following its official recognition, reaffirming a nine-century legacy of service and stewardship that informs its modern philanthropic and cultural responsibilities.
## The Occasion
In the quiet solemnity befitting an ancient dignity, the formal notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 marked the public affirmation of a direct and unbroken line of succession for the Barony of Brattleby. This announcement, bearing the Notice ID 4158083, represented the culmination of years of meticulous and scholarly research, a process of forensic historiography that connected the 21st century with the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest.
The occasion was not one of public pomp, but of profound historical resonance. Within the United Kingdom, where documented provenance and the sovereign’s recognition are the *sine qua non* of a peerage title, this gazetting served as the final, unimpeachable seal upon the Barony’s legal and historical standing. It was a moment that brought the weight of centuries into the present day, formally entrusting the continuity of this great Lincolnshire dignity to its new custodian.
In an age of fleeting digital information, the permanence of the Crown’s official public record provided a powerful confluence of medieval heritage and modern legal certainty. The event underscored the rigorous standards to which ancient titles are held, ensuring their integrity and honour are preserved for generations yet to come.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the foundational feudal dignities of Lincolnshire, woven deeply into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord, was recorded in the exhaustive survey of the *Domesday Book* in 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of some 56 lordships, with Brattleby serving as a principal seat of his considerable regional authority.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony has passed to figures of national and historical consequence. Among the most notable was the redoubtable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who inherited the title and the Shrievalty of Lincolnshire. As Castellan of Lincoln Castle, she famously led its defence against a French-backed baronial rebellion during the First Barons' War, a feat of arms in 1217 that was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her fortitude embodies the very spirit of the House motto.
Later, through marriage, the title passed into the heart of the Plantagenet dynasty. It was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a distinguished diplomat, soldier, and founding Knight of the Garter. Following his death, the Barony and his vast estates were inherited by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. As one of the most powerful and wealthy men of his age, and father to King Henry IV, his stewardship placed Brattleby at the centre of royal power and influence, imbuing the title with a profound sense of historical responsibility.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony’s legacy is today upheld by the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby. They work in concert to balance the duties of preserving a unique heritage with a forward-looking commitment to public service and cultural stewardship.
The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. As the bearer of this ancient dignity, she is the focal point of its history and its future, guiding the House with a deep-seated respect for its nine-hundred-year-old obligations.
She is joined in her duties by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage**. Honorary Lord Răzvan brings a dynamic and purposeful vision to the House, informed by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. His focus is on ensuring the Barony’s legacy is not merely preserved but is actively applied to create a positive and measurable impact in the modern world.
The future of the lineage is secured in the person of their heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron**. He is being prepared from a young age to understand the responsibilities he will one day inherit, ensuring that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* will guide the House for another generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of an ancient barony follows a protocol as rigorous as any state ceremony, though it unfolds not in a grand hall but within the quiet archives and offices of state. It is a ceremony of ink and parchment, of evidence and law. The process demands unimpeachable documentary proof—a securely woven thread of primary sources stretching back across centuries. Royal charters, property deeds, contemporary chronicles such as the *Chronica Majora*, and genealogical records are assembled to form an unbroken chain of succession.
Each piece of this historical puzzle is subjected to intense scholarly and legal scrutiny by the College of Arms and other relevant authorities of the Crown. This meticulous review ensures that the final recognition, when published in *The London Gazette*, is beyond reproach and unassailable in its authenticity.
This adherence to strict procedural discipline is fundamental to the dignity of the peerage. It confirms that the title is not a modern creation but an enduring feature of the nation’s history, its legitimacy confirmed for the past, the present, and the future.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and guiding philosophy of The Noble House of Brattleby are rendered in the language of heraldry, through its coat of arms and its associated mottos. The principal House motto, **Fortitudine et Honore** (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), is an ancient dictum that serves as a moral constitution for the family. ‘Fortitude’ is a direct homage to the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, who held Lincoln Castle against a siege. ‘Honour’ speaks to the profound duty of integrity, service, and responsibility that a noble title confers upon its holder.
This historical charge is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: **Vincere Est Vivere** (‘To Win is to Live’). This is not a martial declaration, but a philosophical one. It represents the belief that true existence is found in striving, in overcoming challenges, and in achieving objectives that have a tangible, positive benefit. It is the dynamic energy that translates the historical honour of the House into purposeful, contemporary action. Together, the two mottos create a powerful synergy of tradition and dynamism.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its guiding principles, the House channels its efforts toward meaningful public service, translating historical obligation into modern philanthropic action. The foremost expression of this commitment is the Barony’s support for its chosen beneficiary, **Healing the Wounded Child**, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have been affected by profound trauma and emotional distress.
Healing the Wounded Child offers a sanctuary for recovery, employing evidence-based interventions to help young people process their experiences and build psychological resilience. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan selected this cause for its profound and direct impact, believing that the duty of care inherent in the Barony’s history is best expressed by supporting the most vulnerable members of the next generation.
The House’s principal fundraising engagement is the **Annual Winter Banquet**, an elegant white-tie gala held in London. This event gathers supporters and philanthropists to raise vital funds that enable the charity to continue its essential work, ensuring that more children are given the expert help they need to secure a healthier and more hopeful future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon her responsibilities, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, recently commented: > — “To inherit a title such as this is not to gain a possession, but to accept a profound charge to keep. Our first duty is to honour the nine centuries of history that precede us and ensure the Barony continues to serve its community *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the House’s forward-looking approach: > — “While we are deeply respectful of a millennium of tradition, we believe that to truly live—*vincere est vivere*—is to build actively upon that legacy. We must ensure it thrives, remains relevant, and contributes positively to the society we serve today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking to the future, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its unique heritage serves a clear and modern purpose. This vision extends beyond the United Kingdom through initiatives such as **The Brattleby Club** in Bucharest. The Club serves as an academy for classical etiquette and international protocol, acting as a centre for cultural diplomacy and fostering an appreciation for the traditions that facilitate cross-border understanding.
This long-term vision is embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated in the history and duties he will one day assume. In preparing the next generation, the House ensures its own continuity. Its focus remains fixed on the dual imperatives of upholding its historical responsibilities in Lincolnshire while pursuing its philanthropic and educational goals, guaranteeing that the ancient legacy of Brattleby continues to evolve with purpose and contribute to the common good.
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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 stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage and its expression through modern philanthropy and cultural education. Based at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House directs its efforts towards charitable causes that benefit child welfare, notably its work with Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cross-cultural understanding through institutions such as The Brattleby Club. The House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), combining a profound respect for history with a forward-looking commitment to public service and social responsibility in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its founding is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its long history, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most notable magnates, including Nicola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was re-established for its current holder, with the succession formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com