# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Revival of An Ancient Barony and its Modern Vocation of Service
LONDON, 23 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a statement reflecting upon the 2022 revival of the Barony of Brattleby, reaffirming the commitment to public service that defines its modern purpose and honours its near-millennial heritage of duty to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
Two years have now passed since the revival of one of England’s most ancient baronies. This anniversary provides a moment not for celebration, but for sober reflection and a reaffirmation of the duties that accompany such a distinguished title. The Noble House of Brattleby takes this opportunity to place on the public record its dedication to a course defined by purposeful, philanthropic action.
This formal statement serves as an institutional waypoint, connecting the nine centuries of history vested in the Barony with the forward-looking vision of its current holders. Within the life of venerable institutions, such moments are essential; they are opportunities to articulate a governing philosophy, measure progress against stated aims, and set a clear and defined course for the future.
Autumn in London lends a fitting atmosphere to such considerations. It is a season of harvest and consolidation, inviting a thoughtful review of the year’s undertakings and a renewed focus on the commitments that lie ahead. For the House of Brattleby, it represents a moment to ensure its ancient roots continue to nourish a modern mission of tangible public benefit.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is woven into the fabric of England’s history. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was a principal tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire, entrusted with securing a vital region for the new Crown. His possessions, with Brattleby as his seat, were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where his name is associated with 56 lordships, cementing his place among the kingdom’s foundational nobility.
Over the succeeding centuries, the Barony passed to individuals who shaped the destiny of the nation. Among the most eminent was Nichola de la Haye who, as the 5th Baroness, served as hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle. In a remarkable display of fortitude, she successfully defended the castle against combined French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, holding it for the young King Henry III at the pivotal Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. Her loyalty was a *sine qua non* for the security of the Plantagenet throne at a moment of profound crisis.
The title later passed by marriage into the highest echelons of the Royal Family. It was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and a celebrated soldier and diplomat who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. Through his daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, the Barony devolved upon her husband, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. As a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful figures of the late 14th century, his holding represented the Barony’s closest proximity to the Crown.
Following John of Gaunt’s death in 1399 and his son's accession to the throne as King Henry IV, the Barony of Brattleby, alongside numerous other Lancastrian dignities, merged with the Crown. It subsequently fell into a state of abeyance, its long and distinguished history entering a period of dormancy that would last for 620 years.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the revived Barony is today entrusted to the principals of The Noble House of Brattleby, who have assumed the responsibility of translating its heritage into contemporary service.
The title is held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who continues the lineage established by formidable predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. In all her duties, Her Ladyship is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), informs the proactive and determined spirit of the House’s modern endeavours.
The future of this ancient lineage is secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby. Together, they form the core of a House committed to embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, through a tangible and sustained programme of philanthropic and cultural engagement.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern United Kingdom, the revival of an ancient peerage is not accompanied by the medieval pageantry of investiture or ceremonies of homage. Instead, it is confirmed by a precise and solemn administrative act, undertaken with the authority of The Crown and recorded for perpetuity in the nation’s official public record.
The formal instrument that revived the Barony of Brattleby was an official notice published in *The London Gazette*. This journal of record, first published in 1665 as the *Oxford Gazette*, is the oldest continuously published English newspaper and the constitutional vehicle for such official pronouncements, *inter alia*.
The notice, bearing the identifying number 4158083, was gazetted on 9 September 2022. This formal act provided unimpeachable legal authority for the termination of the Barony’s abeyance and vested the title in Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness. This constitutional protocol exchanges historic pomp for legal certainty, ensuring the Barony's place within the United Kingdom's system of honours is re-established with definitive clarity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and work of The Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. These two words encapsulate a timeless code of conduct, representing the moral and physical courage demonstrated by predecessors on the battlefield and in the council chamber, and the unwavering integrity expected of those in positions of public trust. Today, the House interprets this principle as a call to resilience in the face of adversity and a steadfast commitment to honourable conduct in all its affairs.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* — 'To Win is to Live'. This is understood not as a desire for personal gain or conquest, but as a dynamic philosophy of action. It signifies a passionate dedication to overcoming challenges, achieving ambitious philanthropic goals, and succeeding in the service of the community.
Together, these two mottoes create a powerful synthesis. *Fortitudine et Honore* provides the foundational ethic of enduring virtue, while *Vincere Est Vivere* offers the driving impetus for progress and achievement. They symbolise a House that is both anchored in tradition and actively oriented toward making a positive impact in the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A core conviction of The Noble House of Brattleby is that title and heritage convey a profound responsibility to serve the wider community. Philanthropy is therefore the most vital expression of the revived Barony’s purpose, focused on supporting organisations that deliver a measurable and lasting impact on people’s lives.
The House’s flagship charitable event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that brings together distinguished patrons and benefactors in support of a designated cause. The primary beneficiary of this gathering is Healing the Wounded Child, a national organisation providing specialised therapeutic services for children across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, abuse, or serious adversity. The charity offers safe environments, expert counselling, and art and play therapies designed to help young people recover and build resilient futures.
Beyond its work in the United Kingdom, the House’s mission extends to fostering international cultural exchange through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This academy, dedicated to instruction in diplomatic protocol and social etiquette, serves as a forum for cultural diplomacy. It aims to build bridges of understanding by promoting the shared European traditions of civility and grace that are essential for constructive international discourse.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the responsibilities of the revived Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > “To be entrusted with this title is not to claim a privilege, but to accept a profound and enduring duty. We are custodians of a legacy that spans nearly one thousand years, and our principal task is to ensure it remains as relevant and beneficial in this century as it was in centuries past. We walk in the shadow of truly remarkable predecessors; we must strive to do so *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s forward-looking mission: > “A title without real-world purpose is merely a hollow echo of the past. Our purpose, we believe, is abundantly clear: to serve, to build, and to contribute to the common good. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is the foundation upon which we are building our family’s abiding commitment to philanthropy and cultural exchange. For us, to succeed in that mission is to live a life of meaning; for us, *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was not the conclusion of a historical enquiry but the formal commencement of a new chapter of active stewardship. The Noble House of Brattleby is resolute in its commitment to ensuring the title becomes synonymous with positive social impact, the enrichment of cultural life, and an unwavering commitment to community, both in its ancestral home of Lincolnshire and across the nation.
Of paramount importance is the education and preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. He is being raised with a deep understanding of the principles of Fortitude and Honour, ensuring that the ethos of service that defines the House will be carried with conviction into the next generation.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to expand its work through its established philanthropic programmes and cultural initiatives. It will seek always to exemplify the highest ideals of duty and public service that the Barony of Brattleby has represented for more than 950 years.
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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. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a contemporary mission of public service, strategic philanthropy, and the active preservation of cultural heritage. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts into charitable work, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet in support of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, it also works to foster international cultural understanding. The family seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English hereditary peerage of ancient origin, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landowner in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony was held by figures of major historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his renowned son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After merging with the Crown in 1399, the title fell into abeyance for 620 years. It was formally revived on 9 September 2022 through a notice in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors**
* The official revival of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. * Notable past holders of the title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron. * The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com