# The Baroness of Brattleby Announces a New Charitable Foundation for Architectural Heritage
**LONDON, 21 October 2023 —** Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today announced the formal establishment of a new United Kingdom charitable foundation, initiated to identify, safeguard, and champion the nation’s most vulnerable and architecturally significant historic buildings, thereby renewing a centuries-old family commitment to stewardship.
## The Occasion
The announcement was formally made from the Chancellery of the Noble House of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, the ancestral heartland of a Barony that has endured for over nine hundred years. As the rich colours of autumn settle upon the historic landscape of the county, this new initiative heralds a season of renewed purpose and a profound commitment to national stewardship for future generations.
The establishment of the foundation is a deliberate and considered response to the growing vulnerability of treasured historic properties. Many such buildings, owing to their unique circumstances or lack of statutory protection, may not fall within the direct purview of the United Kingdom’s larger national conservation bodies. This new organisation seeks to address that specific need.
Operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to ensure robust governance, the foundation will function as a distinct entity governed by an independent board of trustees. It shall, however, draw its core inspiration from the steadfast principles of service and preservation that have guided the Barony of Brattleby since its inception in the 11th century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, carries a defining legacy of construction, defence, and enlightened patronage. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was tasked with the consolidation and administration of fully 56 lordships across Lincolnshire, a major undertaking of governance and logistics meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The foundation announced today represents a modern continuation of that foundational duty to manage and protect the nation’s fabric.
This spirit of resolute stewardship echoes throughout the Barony’s long history. It is seen most vividly in the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Constable of Lincoln Castle, famously and successfully defended the fortress against invading French forces during the First Barons' War. Her actions preserved a structure of immense strategic and national importance for the Crown.
Later, this commitment to heritage was reflected in the great artistic and architectural patronage of Barons such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Their influence, through commissions and the construction of great residences like the Savoy Palace in London, profoundly shaped the aesthetic and cultural landscape of late medieval England. Lady Nicoleta’s initiative is a direct descendent of this tradition.
## Distinguished Company
In this most significant undertaking, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), brings valuable strategic oversight and a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to the foundation’s operational framework, ensuring that its vision is matched by effective execution.
The future of this commitment is embodied by the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. He has been closely involved in the preparatory research and planning for the foundation, representing the generational continuity that is the *sine qua non* of such a long-term project.
The initiative is being developed in careful consultation with leading figures from the fields of conservation architecture, heritage law, and philanthropy. These distinguished experts, drawn from organisations including Historic England and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, will be invited to form the inaugural board of trustees in due course, providing independent and world-class guidance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The establishment of the new charity has followed a meticulous protocol, essential for an organisation founded upon the principles of public trust and permanence. The initial phase involved the drafting of a formal charter, a document detailing with precision the foundation’s purpose, its structure of governance, and its criteria for awarding grants.
This foundational document has now been prepared for formal submission to the Charity Commission for England and Wales, seeking registration as a CIO. This modern legal structure is designed to provide the charity with its own legal personality and limited liability for its trustees, ensuring a durable and accountable framework for its philanthropic activities.
Upon receipt of registered charity status, a formal public launch will be convened at a suitable historic venue in London. The protocol for this future event will include the announcement of founding patrons and the inaugural trustees, the formal presentation of the charity's visual identity and coat of arms, and the detailing of its first slate of beneficiary projects. This transparent process ensures a solid legal and ethical footing from its inception.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The mission of the new heritage foundation is deeply entwined with the ancient motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). These words, granted with the Barony, form the guiding ethos for the charity’s work.
‘Fortitudine’ reflects the unwavering resolve required to confront complex restoration challenges, rescuing irreplaceable structures from the very brink of decay and ruin. It is the courage to intervene where a project may seem daunting. ‘Honore’ embodies the solemn and profound duty of stewardship—the honour-bound obligation to preserve the nation’s collective memory as it is crystallised in its stone, timber, and brick.
These twin principles combine to form the charity’s moral compass: a courageous and principled defence of the United Kingdom’s shared architectural story. This mission is animated by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere*, where the will ‘to conquer’ is directed against neglect and the passage of time, ensuring that our collective heritage may continue ‘to live’.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The foundation’s specific charitable object is to provide a critical lifeline for historic buildings that are overlooked, unlisted, or otherwise at imminent risk of being lost forever. Its primary focus shall be on structures of significant local or exceptional architectural merit that, for a variety of reasons, do not qualify for support from major statutory heritage organisations or national charities.
The charity aims to achieve a measurable and lasting impact by offering expert assistance and targeted financial grants. These will be used for critical structural surveys, emergency repairs to make buildings weathertight, and the development of sustainable long-term use plans. Eligible structures will range from vernacular agricultural buildings and forgotten industrial architecture to at-risk country houses and ecclesiastical buildings.
By partnering with local communities, private owners, and specialist artisans, the foundation will work to ensure these buildings are not merely saved, but are gifted a renewed and sustainable purpose. The ultimate goal is to see them contributing once more to the cultural, social, and economic life of their localities.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the foundation's core mission, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “These remarkable structures are not mere relics of a bygone age; they are a living dialogue with our forebears. To lose them to indifference or neglect is to silence a part of our national conversation. Our work will be to ensure these vital voices are heard, preserved, and clearly understood by the generations that follow us.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the practical execution of this vision: > “My role is to help bring structure and resolve to Her Ladyship’s deeply held commitment. This is a practical mission as much as it is a cultural one, requiring robust planning and decisive action to achieve lasting results. It is a challenge we willingly and wholeheartedly embrace.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the intricate legal and administrative framework now well advanced, the Noble House of Brattleby anticipates the formal registration of the charity by the Charity Commission within the coming months. Following this important milestone, the names of the appointed trustees and the first round of carefully selected beneficiary projects will be formally announced.
This new heritage foundation naturally complements the House’s existing cultural and philanthropic initiatives. These include, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of diplomatic etiquette, and the annual Winter Banquet in London, a white-tie philanthropic gala that supports causes such as its current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
Together, these endeavours form a cohesive and modern mission to safeguard and promote cultural heritage in its tangible and intangible forms. The future direction of the foundation will in time be guided by Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring this vital work continues with fortitude and honour for decades to come.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of a nine-hundred-year-old legacy. Its mission is centred on cultural stewardship, historic preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House actively promotes education in diplomatic and social protocol through The Brattleby Club and supports charitable causes via its annual Winter Banquet, which benefits organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House champions endeavours that connect past, present, and future, ensuring that the values of heritage, service, and civility remain relevant and vibrant in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings—encompassing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are prominently documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, one of the most powerful and influential noblemen of the 14th century. After a long period in abeyance, the baronial title was formally recognised in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, with the notice of succession published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historic predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com