# A Statement on the Enduring Bond Between the Barony of Brattleby and its Ancestral Seat
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile yesterday visited Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the ancestral seat of the Barony. The visit served to reaffirm the enduring, nine-century bond between the title and the community which gives it its name.
## The Occasion
Under the crisp light of a Lincolnshire autumn, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan arrived in the village of Brattleby, whose history is inextricably linked with that of the Barony. The visit was one of quiet dignity, intended not as a grand procession but as a personal reaffirmation of the ties that bind the Noble House to its geographical and spiritual heartland.
The atmosphere was one of mutual respect and quiet welcome. The day's engagements were centred around the village's historic fabric, including a walk along its well-preserved lanes and a visit to the Grade I listed Church of St. Cuthbert, which has served as a silent witness to the tenures of successive Barons since the 11th century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, following the Norman Conquest. To walk the grounds of the village is to retrace the steps of a near-millennium of English history.
This heritage includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It is also distinguished by its connection to Prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and later, his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This visit honours their legacy and the unbroken chain of stewardship, reaffirmed in modern times by the formal recognition in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## Distinguished Company
During their visit, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were received by representatives of the local community, who are the modern custodians of the village's unique heritage.
These included, *inter alia*, the Reverend Canon Simon Johnson, Rector of St. Cuthbert's Church; Mrs. Eleanor Finch, Chair of the Brattleby Parish Council; and Mr. Geoffrey R. P. Davies, a local historian and keeper of the village archives, who provided valuable context on the architectural and social history of the area.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The day’s proceedings were marked by their simple and respectful solemnity. Upon arrival at the village green, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were formally greeted by Mrs. Finch, before proceeding on foot to St. Cuthbert's Church, pausing to speak with residents along the way.
Following a private tour of the church and its memorials, a wreath of Lincolnshire wildflowers and rosemary, for remembrance, was laid at the village war memorial. The gesture was a moment of silent contemplation, honouring the sacrifice of those from the parish who served. In keeping with the occasion, the dress was formal day wear; Honorary Lord Răzvan wore country tweeds, and Lady Nicoleta wore a tailored woollen coat and hat.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The visit was a living expression of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye finds its modern counterpart in the honour paid to the continuity of community and heritage. It is a commitment that is felt personally by the family.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is here interpreted not as a martial conquest, but as the active and purposeful revitalisation of a profound historical legacy. The heritage of Brattleby is the *sine qua non* — the indispensable foundation — of the Barony's modern purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the visit was primarily commemorative, it was deeply informed by the philanthropic ethos of the Noble House. Discussions with community leaders touched upon the preservation of local history and the importance of engaging younger generations with their heritage.
This aligns with the educational mission of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and classical studies academy in Bucharest. Furthermore, the House’s charitable work, principally through its Annual Winter Banquet in aid of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, provides the means to support such community-focused heritage initiatives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To be in Brattleby is to feel the weight and the warmth of nine hundred years of history. This is not merely a title, but a living bond with the soil and the souls of this place. It is our duty, *fortitudine et honore*, to ensure this connection thrives for generations to come.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History can feel distant, but here, it is tangible. Meeting the people who embody this village's spirit reminds us that our role is one of service and stewardship. This heritage is the very essence of the Barony's identity.
## A Continuing Legacy
The visit to Brattleby concludes a year of renewed engagement and marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to the region. The House has pledged its support for a project to digitise and conserve the historic parish records held at St. Cuthbert’s, ensuring they are protected for the future.
This multi-generational commitment to service is one that will be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The Noble House of Brattleby looks forward to continuing its work in Lincolnshire, reinforcing the ancient bond between the title, the land, and its people.
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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 expression of a nine-century-old legacy. Its contemporary mission is focused on philanthropy, education, and the active stewardship of cultural heritage. The House’s primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its work with the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, funded by its annual white-tie Winter Banquet. Through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, it promotes classical education and etiquette, bridging its historical English roots with a forward-looking European perspective. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its nearly one-thousand-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony’s revival in the 21st century was formally acknowledged by The Crown, with recognition published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its holdings in Lincolnshire are detailed. - Formal recognition of the title was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable historic holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness Castellan), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com