# The Barony of Brattleby: A Nine-Century Legacy Reaffirmed
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby marks the formal reaffirmation of its ancient barony, a title granted in the 11th century. This occasion honours a nine-hundred-year lineage, connecting its Norman origins to its modern stewardship in Lincolnshire and beyond.
## The Occasion
Following the barony's formal recognition in The London Gazette, the House of Brattleby has taken a moment for historical reflection. From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the ancestral heartland of the title, the passing of the seasons provides a quiet backdrop for acknowledging a legacy that has weathered the tumult of centuries. This period is not one of singular celebration, but of sober contemplation on the duties inherent in a title that predates the signing of Magna Carta; it is an acknowledgement of history as a living presence in the modern world.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Anglo-Norman landowner whose 56 lordships were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the barony has been interwoven with the history of the Crown and the constitutional development of England.
Its holders have included figures of national importance, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, staunchly defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the powerful son of King Edward III. This connection to the Plantagenet dynasty underscores the barony's historical proximity to the throne.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of this legacy today rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Lady Nicoleta continues a line of service that has defined the barony, while Honorary Lord Răzvan has embraced its traditions and responsibilities with vigour.
The future of the House is secured in the person of their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in due course become the 13th Baron. The family’s collective commitment ensures that the principles which have guided the barony for thirty-four generations remain the cornerstone of its modern identity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of an ancient barony is maintained not through grand ceremony alone, but through meticulous adherence to legal and historical protocol. The modern reaffirmation of the title was achieved through a formal notice published in The London Gazette, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665. This act serves as the contemporary equivalent of a medieval royal charter, providing official recognition of the succession.
Internally, the House observes protocols that honour its history. The Annual Winter Banquet, for example, is a strict white-tie-and-decorations occasion, following an order of precedence and ceremonial form that echoes the formal gatherings of great European houses. This respect for tradition is the *sine qua non* of preserving the dignity of the title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values of the House are enshrined in its heraldry. The motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity expected of its holders, from defending a castle in the 13th century to navigating the complexities of the 21st. It serves as a constant reminder of the principles that underpin their public and private duties.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live', more elegantly translated as 'To Prevail is to Live'), complements the House motto. It reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, one focused on overcoming challenges and ensuring the barony’s relevance and vitality for generations to come.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House of Brattleby dedicates significant effort to philanthropy. The centrepiece of this work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the primary fundraising event for the family’s chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation.
The foundation is an organisation focused on providing specialist psychological support and therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or profound loss. Funds raised contribute directly to programmes that deliver counselling, art therapy, and safe residential retreats, offering a path toward recovery and restoring a sense of security to vulnerable young lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has commented on the profound sense of duty she feels.
> “To be a steward of this title is to hold a conversation with history. One feels the presence of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude is a humbling standard to aspire to. Our duty is not merely to preserve this heritage, but to ensure it serves a genuine purpose today.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile emphasised the forward-looking nature of their work.
> “Heritage without a modern mission risks becoming a museum piece. Our family’s commitment, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to build upon this extraordinary foundation through education and philanthropy, ensuring the Brattleby legacy remains a force for good.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby continues apace. The family is committed to expanding its philanthropic impact and its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol to a new generation of leaders.
The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being steadily prepared for the responsibilities he will one day inherit, ensuring a seamless transition and the continuation of nearly one thousand years of service. The reaffirmation of the barony is not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter in its long and distinguished history.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England's ancient Norman baronies. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to the principle of linking heritage with contemporary purpose. Its mission is realised through three core pillars: the preservation of its nine-century history, active philanthropy focused on children's welfare through its support for the Healing the Wounded Child foundation, and cultural education via initiatives like The Brattleby Club. The House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying historical values of duty and service to the challenges of the 21st century.
**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, was documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the reign of King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), securing the barony’s continuity into the modern era.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony was established in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders of the barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye, Sheriff of Lincolnshire. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com