# The Lord of Brattleby: A Tradition of Partnership in a Modern Era
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today articulated the significant and supportive role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. As consort to Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, he ensures the continuity and contemporary relevance of one of England’s most ancient baronies.
## The Occasion
As the autumn colours settle upon the fields of Lincolnshire, the ancestral seat of the Barony of Brattleby, the House enters a season of reflection and forward planning. It is in this spirit of purposeful review that the role of the Lord of Brattleby is affirmed as a cornerstone of the House’s modern structure and its continued public service.
This formal clarification delineates the collaborative nature of the House’s leadership. It underscores a partnership that honours nearly a millennium of tradition while embracing a dynamic and forward-looking approach to its duties in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has long understood the power of effective partnership. Its history, recorded since the Domesday Book of 1086, is replete with examples of consorts who provided indispensable strategic, political, and material support. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, established a patrimony of 56 lordships, a domain which required a formidable family effort to administer.
Centuries later, the celebrated tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, was intrinsically linked to the support of her husband, Gerard de Camville. Throughout English history, the spouses of hereditary peers have played roles that, while distinct from the title-holder, were often *sine qua non* for the flourishing of the House.
This tradition is further exemplified by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose vast influence was sustained by the counsel and alliance of their consorts. The modern role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is a direct continuation of this proven historical model.
## Distinguished Company
The leadership of the Noble House of Brattleby is a dedicated family enterprise under the guidance of its senior members, who carry forward its legacy. The principal figures of the House are:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, heir to the Barony of Brattleby
Together, they represent the continuity of the line, the stability of the present leadership, and the promise of the future.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In public and private duties, the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby operate with a clearly defined and complementary protocol. As the holder of the hereditary title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, holds precedence and is the ultimate authority on all matters pertaining to the Barony's historical and constitutional obligations. She presides over the management of the English seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and directs the House’s long-term heritage strategy.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, in his capacity as Lord of Brattleby, champions the House’s modern, outward-facing initiatives. He takes a leading role in the development of its cultural and educational programmes, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol. This division of duties ensures that both the preservation of the past and engagement with the present receive dedicated, expert focus.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The shared purpose of the House is captured in its coats of arms and mottos. The ancient motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring values of resilience and integrity that have guided its holders for over 950 years. It signifies the duty to act with courage and unwavering principle.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or, more poetically, 'To Prevail is to Live'), complements this tradition. It represents the dynamic, active energy required to ensure a historic institution does not merely survive but thrives. It is the spirit of positive advancement and the will to succeed that he brings to the partnership, ensuring the Barony remains a vital force.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The public work of the House is most clearly expressed through its philanthropic commitments. The Annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of the House’s social calendar, is a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated charity. This year, as in previous years, the principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child.
This remarkable organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. By funding safe environments and expert-led recovery programmes, the charity helps to rebuild young lives, offering them a path towards stability and hope. The House of Brattleby’s support is directed towards measurable outcomes, helping the charity expand its reach and deepen its impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their joint responsibilities, the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby shared their perspectives.
> To be entrusted with a legacy stretching back to the Conquest is a profound duty. This responsibility is not borne alone; it is a shared commitment. Honorary Lord Răzvan's counsel and active partnership are the very foundation upon which we build for the future, ensuring this heritage continues to serve with fortitude and honour. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the vitality necessary to make history live and breathe in the present. It is my privilege to support the Baroness in her historic role, applying a spirit of enterprise and purpose to the great work of this venerable House. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a future of active service. Preparations are well underway for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which will convene supporters and philanthropists to advance the crucial work of Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest continues to expand its curriculum, fostering cross-cultural understanding through the shared language of formal etiquette.
Through these and other initiatives, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensure that the Barony's legacy is not a relic of the past but a living tradition. They work in tandem to steward this ancient heritage, preserving its history and upholding its honour for the next generation, embodied in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the contemporary embodiment of one of England’s most historic baronies. The House's modern mission is to bridge its near-millennial heritage with purposeful action in the 21st century. This is achieved through dedicated heritage conservation at its Lincolnshire seat, educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and focused philanthropic work. The House is committed to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, applying its legacy and resources to support charitable causes, with a particular focus on the welfare of vulnerable children through its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Its guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudatories in England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent and rights of the Barony are formally recognised and recorded in the Crown’s official journal of record, *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and his extensive lands. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Annual Winter Banquet is the House's flagship philanthropic event, benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com