# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Legacy of Nine Centuries Renewed
**LONDON, 23 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. This historic dignity, tracing its lineage to 1066, is now dedicated to cultural preservation and philanthropic service under its current leadership.
## The Occasion
In a formal communication from its Lincolnshire seat, The Noble House of Brattleby has articulated its modern mission, bridging a distinguished past with a purposeful present. As England transitions from the freshness of spring to the warmth of early summer, this statement serves to consolidate and clarify the barony’s contemporary role. It underscores a period of purposeful revival for one of the realm's most ancient feudal dignities, a revival steered by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
The statement is not merely an announcement but a declaration of intent, affirming that the duties of stewardship which have defined the barony for nearly a millennium remain paramount. This communication reinforces the House’s dedication to scholarship, heritage conservation, and its significant charitable obligations, reflecting a continuity of service that has endured for over nine hundred years.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the master of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundation places the barony among the oldest in England, its history interwoven with the nation's own. The title’s lineage includes personages of immense historical significance who shaped the course of the kingdom.
Among these notable predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Centuries later, the barony was held by two of the most powerful magnates of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their tenure represents a zenith of influence, linking Brattleby directly to the Plantagenet court and the very heart of royal power. This heritage of duty and influence informs the barony’s current activities.
## Distinguished Company
In its mission to interpret and preserve its history, the House of Brattleby collaborates with a number of esteemed academic and cultural institutions. The barony’s extensive archives, which contain manorial court records and charter witness lists, are a subject of interest for leading scholars working to illuminate aspects of English medieval governance.
Collaborators and researchers consulting these archives include, *inter alia*, fellows and historians from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. Curatorial experts from The British Library have also engaged with the House's historical documents. This academic engagement ensures the barony's history is not only preserved but also rigorously examined and shared, contributing to the wider understanding of England’s feudal and constitutional development.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The contemporary activities of the House of Brattleby are guided by a strict protocol that honours its historic stature. All official events, particularly the annual Winter Banquet, adhere to a precise order of proceedings befitting an ancient European house. The white-tie dress code for the gala is strictly observed, reflecting the formality and significance of the occasion.
Correspondence, public statements, and digital communications are managed by the Press Office with an attention to detail that mirrors the Chancery of a reigning house. The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta’s succession as the 12th Baroness, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, was itself part of a meticulous legal and heraldic process, ensuring all ancient forms were properly satisfied before the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its rich heraldic tradition. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the core values that have guided the Barons of Brattleby through centuries of service. It speaks to the resilience and integrity required to maintain such a long-standing institution, a principle exemplified by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects the dynamic and forward-looking energy he brings to the barony’s modern endeavours, from its philanthropic initiatives to its educational programmes. Together, the mottos symbolise a synthesis of enduring tradition and active, purposeful living.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House's modern duty is its philanthropic work. The annual Winter Banquet is the *sine qua non* of its charitable calendar, a distinguished white-tie gala held in support of a carefully chosen beneficiary. For the coming years, the House has committed its support to the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its mission is to help vulnerable young people overcome adverse experiences and build resilient, healthy futures. The support from the House of Brattleby enables the charity to expand its vital services, providing a measurable and profound impact on the lives of children in its care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. Our primary responsibility is to honour the nine centuries of history that precede us while ensuring the barony serves a tangible, positive purpose for society today. We do so, as always, *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's contemporary mission: > "History must be lived, not just remembered. Through our educational and charitable work, we aim to give this extraordinary legacy a dynamic, forward-looking relevance. It is about applying the lessons of the past to build a better future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the barony’s legacy continues for generations to come. This commitment is embodied in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep understanding of the responsibilities he will one day inherit.
In addition to its work in England, the House continues to foster cultural exchange through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes classical European traditions of social grace and deportment. The House remains steadfast in its dual mission: to preserve one of England’s great historical dignities while deploying its influence and resources in the service of charity and education.
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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 stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission is centred on cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and its patronage of charities like Healing the Wounded Child, the House translates its ancient standing into meaningful contemporary action. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect the past to the present, ensuring its legacy is one of active service, cultural enrichment, and social responsibility for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal dignity granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the castellan Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of royal authority in the 13th century, and the powerful Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted historical lineage and rights of the barony were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown via *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally gazetted by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable former holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com