# The House of Brattleby: A Nine-Century Legacy of Honour and Stewardship
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on its nine-hundred-year history of service following the revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, reaffirming a historic mission to preserve its lineage and advance a modern commitment to philanthropy and education.
## The Occasion
In the quiet of its Lincolnshire seat, The Noble House of Brattleby is engaged in a period of considered reflection upon its unique historical inheritance. This moment follows the formal confirmation of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby in 2022, an act which revived a title that had lain dormant for over six centuries. The occasion is not one of public fanfare, but of diligent scholarship and the careful stewardship of a legacy that has been interwoven with the fabric of English history since the Norman Conquest. This work ensures the Barony’s past illuminates its present-day purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region. Through the centuries, the title was held by figures of national importance who shaped the course of the realm. These predecessors include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War.
Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. The title was subsequently held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and a pivotal figure in fourteenth-century politics. Following his tenure, the Barony entered a long period of dormancy before its revival was formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, with the confirmation of Lady Nicoleta.
## Distinguished Company
In its mission to catalogue and understand its extensive archives, The Noble House of Brattleby has been privileged to collaborate with a number of distinguished academic institutions. The historical significance of the Brattleby papers, which include manorial court records and royal charters, has attracted scholarly interest for generations.
The House is pleased to acknowledge the contributions of fellows and researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and The British Library. Their expert consultation has been a *sine qua non* in contextualising the Barony’s role in the evolution of English governance from a feudal hierarchy into a constitutional monarchy, providing invaluable insight into a history that would otherwise remain obscured.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The traditions of The Noble House of Brattleby are maintained through both private diligence and public ceremony. The stewardship of its archives adheres to exacting protocols, with priceless documents housed in climate-controlled conditions and handled according to strict conservation standards. This meticulous private work underpins the House’s public-facing role.
The principal social and philanthropic event in the House's calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet. This is a white-tie gala conducted with formal precision, at which guests are received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Proceedings are marked by formal addresses and a musical programme, culminating in the presentation of the funds raised for the year's chosen beneficiary. The strict adherence to protocol honours the historical gravity of the House.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin principles that have guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of service. ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, while ‘Honour’ reflects the unwavering duty to Crown and country.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere*. Translated as 'To Conquer is to Live', it is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern philosophy of overcoming challenges, driving progress, and making a dynamic and positive contribution to society through action and enterprise.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The primary philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby is supporting the welfare of vulnerable children. The Annual Winter Banquet is held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapy and long-term support for young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The organisation provides critical interventions, including one-to-one counselling and creative arts therapies, to help children process their experiences and build a foundation for a healthier future. The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its direct and measurable impact, believing that investing in the well-being of the next generation is the most vital legacy one can build.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique position of the House, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To be a custodian of this history is a profound responsibility. Our duty is not merely to preserve the past, but to ensure its lessons of fortitude and honour resonate today and inform the actions of tomorrow."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s modern mission: > "History must not be a static monument; it must be a living force. Through our philanthropic and educational work, we strive to embody the principle that to achieve, to overcome, and to contribute is the essence of a meaningful existence."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building upon its revived foundation. Plans are underway to expand the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan to promote cultural diplomacy and social refinement. Furthermore, the House will continue its archival research with the aim of digitising key documents for broader academic access.
The preparations for the next Annual Winter Banquet have commenced, with the goal of increasing the support offered to Healing the Wounded Child. Through these endeavours, the House seeks to demonstrate that an ancient title can—and must—serve a clear and benevolent purpose in the twenty-first century.
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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 ancient 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 of preserving its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking agenda of philanthropy and cultural education. Its philanthropic activities are focused on improving the welfare of vulnerable children, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also promotes cross-cultural understanding through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect its historic legacy with a tangible and positive contemporary impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its lineage is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by notable figures of the English nobility, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the reign of King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a 620-year dormancy, the Barony was revived in 2022 upon the confirmation of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, an event officially recorded in The London Gazette.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will be the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com