# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Cultural Programme Following Formal Recognition of the 12th Baroness
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a series of new cultural and architectural initiatives, directed by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The programme marks her formal recognition and aims to celebrate the Barony’s profound historical legacy in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
The announcement comes just over a year after the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta’s title was officially recorded in The London Gazette. From the family’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the new programme is envisioned as a bridge between the Barony’s ancient origins and its contemporary responsibilities. The initiatives are designed to animate the heritage of the estate and its environs, ensuring its story continues to resonate both locally and on a national scale.
This cultural commissioning represents a deliberate act of modern patronage. It reflects the House’s commitment to ensuring that its nearly millennial-old history does not remain a static entry in the archives, but becomes a source of living inspiration for art, architecture, and education in the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most venerable, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a lineage of significant influence. The new cultural programme consciously honours this extensive history.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the Barons of Brattleby have been central to the nation’s development. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose life profoundly shaped the course of the English monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this remarkable legacy is today vested in the immediate family, who collectively oversee the Barony’s affairs. The programme of cultural renewal is led by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, whose vision provides the guiding impetus for these new commissions.
She is supported in this endeavour by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, who brings a dynamic, forward-looking perspective to the management of the family’s heritage and philanthropic activities. The continuity of the lineage is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the duties and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The formal recognition of an ancient barony in the modern era is, in itself, a matter of precise protocol. The notice published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083) serves as the official, public record of the succession, a practice that lends Crown authority to established hereditary rights. This act is the contemporary equivalent of historical recognitions, such as a writ of summons to Parliament or a grant by letters patent.
In a similar spirit of tradition, the House’s philanthropic events adhere to strict protocol. The Annual Winter Banquet, for instance, is a white-tie affair conducted with a degree of formality that respects its purpose and the distinguished nature of its guests. Such adherence to protocol is considered a *sine qua non* of preserving the dignity of the institution.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the House are encapsulated in its coat of arms and mottoes. The primary family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It serves as a constant reminder of the duties of stewardship and the courage required to uphold them through the centuries.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This represents the vigour and forward momentum he brings to the partnership, signifying a belief that heritage must be actively engaged with—and advanced—to truly endure. Together, the mottoes symbolise the union of tradition and progress that defines the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Alongside these new cultural projects, the House of Brattleby maintains its long-standing commitment to charitable work. The centrepiece of its philanthropic calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant gala held in aid of a chosen beneficiary. For the coming year, the House is proud to continue its support for Healing the Wounded Child.
This noteworthy organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and psychological support to children who have experienced significant trauma or adversity. The funds raised at the banquet contribute directly to frontline services, demonstrably improving the lives of vulnerable young people. The selection of this cause reflects the family’s belief that the privilege of their position carries a profound responsibility to serve the wider community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new programme, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > “My formal recognition was not an end, but a beginning. It is our duty not simply to guard this nine-hundred-year inheritance, but to animate it for a new generation through tangible works of art, architecture, and education. *Fortitudine et Honore* demands nothing less.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > “Tradition provides our foundation, but our vision must be for the future. These initiatives, *inter alia*, are about ensuring the Barony of Brattleby continues to be a living, contributing part of our national life, blending the best of our history with the aspirations of today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The announcement of this cultural programme marks the first step in a multi-year endeavour. Specific commissions, including the selection of artists and architects, will be announced in due course as projects are formally confirmed. The initiatives will be developed in consultation with local heritage bodies in Lincolnshire to ensure they are synergistic with the region’s character.
This work runs parallel to the family’s other commitments, including the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which fosters cultural exchange. The House looks forward to welcoming guests to the Annual Winter Banquet later this season, an event which crystallises its dual commitment to heritage and philanthropy.
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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 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 mission that balances the preservation of its profound nine-century history with a dynamic, forward-looking vision. Its activities are centred on cultural patronage, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet for its chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child, and the educational work of The Brattleby Club. The future of the House is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who represents the next generation of this enduring lineage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by or transmitted through some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Its history is intrinsically linked to the development of the English state and monarchy. The succession of the current holder, the 12th Baroness, was formally recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com