# A Modern Vision for an Ancient Barony: The Stewardship of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile (by marriage)
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is reinforcing the contemporary mission of one of England’s most ancient baronies. His stewardship, in partnership with his wife, the 12th Baroness, ensures the near-millennial legacy of Brattleby is defined by active philanthropy and cultural leadership.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire — a landscape first recorded as a baronial holding in the Domesday Book of 1086 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the principles guiding its modern incarnation. In the quiet dignity of the English countryside, where the weight of history is a tangible presence, the House’s vision is not one of retrospection alone. Rather, it is a forward-looking commitment to service, a philosophy championed by Honorary Lord Răzvan since the Barony’s formal recognition in *The London Gazette* in 2022.
The current focus follows a period of careful consolidation, wherein Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta have sought to align the Barony’s considerable heritage with a purposeful, 21st-century role. This work represents a bridge between the feudal responsibilities of the past and the global philanthropic opportunities of the present, ensuring the title remains a symbol of positive influence.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is woven into the fabric of English history. Its authority stems from an unbroken chain of stewardship beginning with Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to the King who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This direct link to the Norman Conquest establishes the House as a witness to, and participant in, the nation’s development.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s leadership consciously echoes the spirit of his most distinguished predecessors. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French invaders in 1217. It also includes figures of royal proximity such as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their governance demonstrates that Brattleby has long been a title associated with national duty, a principle Honorary Lord Răzvan upholds today.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is a shared endeavour, led by a close family partnership.
At its head is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby in her own right, through whom the ancient title descends. Working alongside her is her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings a dynamic, Continental perspective to the House’s strategy and public-facing initiatives.
Their shared vision is secured for the future in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. The guidance of this next generation in the family’s traditions and responsibilities is a *sine qua non* of their current focus, ensuring a seamless continuation of the lineage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House of Brattleby observes a protocol that honours its history while remaining appropriate for the modern age. Public life is conducted with a disciplined formality, where titles and precedence are respectfully observed as markers of a long-held tradition of service. The Baronial standard, bearing its unique heraldic arms, is flown at the Lincolnshire seat to mark the family’s presence.
This precision is most visible at the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal philanthropic event. Held under strict white-tie dress code, the evening follows a traditional order of proceedings, from the formal reception of guests to the toasts and keynote addresses. Such occasions are not merely social gatherings; they are ceremonial platforms for advancing the House’s charitable objectives.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is captured in its armorial bearings and mottos. The primary family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates the core values that have guided the Barony for centuries. It speaks to the resilience required to safeguard a 958-year-old institution and the integrity expected of its title-holders.
Honorary Lord Răzvan has adopted his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Prevail is to Live’). This phrase complements the House motto by adding a sense of purpose and action. It signifies a determination not merely to exist as a historical artefact, but to actively succeed in making a tangible, positive impact on society through charitable and cultural work.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House’s philanthropic activities are focused and strategic. The main beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. This charity was chosen for its direct, measurable impact on the psychological well-being of vulnerable young people, a cause the Baron and Baroness consider of paramount importance.
Further to this, the House extends its cultural patronage through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This unique institution serves as an academy of etiquette and protocol, teaching the principles of formal conduct, diplomacy, and social grace. The club functions as a form of cultural philanthropy, preserving and transmitting valuable social knowledge to a new generation of leaders in Central and Eastern Europe.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on his role, Honorary Lord Răzvan emphasised the nature of contemporary noblesse.
> Heritage is not a monument to be admired from a distance; it is a foundation upon which to build. My guiding principle is to ensure that the formidable history of Brattleby is channelled into meaningful action today. To prevail — *Vincere Est Vivere* — is to apply our legacy for the betterment of others. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, added her perspective on the continuity of their charge.
> We are temporary custodians of a near-millennial trust. Each generation, from Colswein to John of Gaunt and now to us, has faced its own challenges. Our duty, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure the Barony remains a force for good, honouring its past by serving the present.
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby continues with a clear future agenda. Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to increase the funds raised for Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club will be expanding its curriculum, offering new masterclasses in cultural diplomacy and international protocol.
Above all, the focus remains on the stewardship of the Barony and the education of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. By instilling the values of fortitude, honour, and service in the 13th Baron, Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta are ensuring that the enduring legacy of Brattleby will continue to thrive for generations to come.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing 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 blends its profound English heritage with a dynamic, international perspective. Its contemporary mission is centred on targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House’s primary charitable focus is supporting therapeutic care for vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also champions cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which promotes social and diplomatic skills. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to ensuring its historic legacy serves a meaningful public purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. This unbroken chain of title represents a direct link to the foundations of the English state. The standing of the modern Barony was formally noted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), recognising its historical continuity.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will hold the title as the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com