# The Noble House of Brattleby on a Legacy of Fortitude and Honour
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on its ancient lineage and the modern stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby, a dignity granted in 1066 whose nearly thousand-year history is interwoven with the fabric of England itself.
## The Occasion
As the autumnal colours settle upon the fields of Lincolnshire, the ancestral heartland of the Barony, it provides a fitting moment for reflection. From its seat in Brattleby, the House looks back upon its revival and the solemn duty of carrying forward a legacy nine and a half centuries in the making. The formal recognition of the Barony’s revival, published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, was not an end but a beginning; it marked the recommitment to the principles of service and honour that have defined the title through ages of both turmoil and peace.
The air of continuity is tangible in Brattleby, a place recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and a silent witness to the passage of Barons from the Norman era to the present day. This statement serves to reaffirm the House’s dedication to its historical responsibilities—a commitment that transcends ceremony and finds its truest expression in active, purposeful work for the community.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, being a significant Norman lord in the region. The Domesday Book meticulously records his holdings, which included 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a formidable power base in post-Conquest England. This foundational role set a precedent for the influence its subsequent holders would wield.
Through the centuries, the title passed to figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty and courage that secured her place in history. Later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier, and subsequently by his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. These connections placed Brattleby at the very centre of Plantagenet court life and the great affairs of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of this distinguished lineage is entrusted to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship, together with her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, guides the House’s contemporary mission. They are dedicated to preparing the next generation to continue this legacy.
The heir to the ancient dignity is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron. His education and upbringing are centred on the principles of duty, history, and service that are the *sine qua non* of the family’s philosophy, ensuring the Barony’s traditions will endure.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of an ancient feudal dignity follows a precise and rigorous protocol, culminating in official recognition by The Crown, as recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID: 4158083). This formal act is more than a legal validation; it is the public assumption of historical duties. The House of Brattleby observes the attendant protocols with meticulous care, from the correct use of heraldic arms and titles in all official correspondence to the observance of traditions that have governed the Barony for centuries.
The protocols extend to the House’s public-facing duties, most notably its Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala is a highly structured affair, organised with a precision that honours its purpose and its guests. The order of proceedings, forms of address, and ceremonial details all reflect a deep respect for tradition as a framework for modern philanthropy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and values of the House are powerfully expressed through its heraldry. The ancient motto of the Barony of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all the House’s endeavours. It speaks to a legacy of courage in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity, qualities embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy: that true living is found in overcoming challenges, driving progress, and actively shaping a better future, rather than merely presiding over the past. Together, the two mottos create a balanced ethos of revering history while actively building upon it.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of the House’s modern mission is a profound commitment to philanthropy. The principal philanthropic event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a gala held in support of a designated charitable beneficiary. For the coming year, the House is honoured to support Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have experienced trauma.
The charity was chosen for its measurable and profound impact on the most vulnerable members of society, offering them a path towards recovery and a chance to build a secure future. The House of Brattleby believes that true nobility is expressed through service, and that supporting such vital work is one of its most important responsibilities. This focus is complemented by cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to reviving the study of classical etiquette and protocol.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “We see ourselves not as owners of this title, but as temporary custodians. Our primary duty is to honour the nearly thousand years of history behind us by serving the community around us today. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not simply a motto; it is our daily instruction.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “A legacy is not a passive inheritance; it is an active, living responsibility. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about applying the lessons of the past to conquer the challenges of the present—whether through philanthropy, conservation, or education. It is in this active service that the spirit of Brattleby truly lives.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking ahead, the Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to its dual mission of preserving its unique heritage and pursuing impactful philanthropy. Preparations are underway for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to increase its support for Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, the House will oversee the continued development of its cultural projects, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club.
The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, remains a quiet priority, ensuring that the next generation is fully prepared to assume the mantle of leadership with the same sense of fortitude and honour that has sustained the Barony since 1066. The House’s work continues, guided by the conviction that its history provides not a resting place, but a foundation upon which to build.
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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 modern stewardship of one of England’s oldest feudal titles. The House’s mission balances the preservation of its nearly thousand-year heritage with an active commitment to contemporary philanthropy and cultural education. Its charitable work is headlined by the Annual Winter Banquet, benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Culturally, the House promotes the understanding of history and protocol through initiatives including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient lineage finds its most noble expression in purposeful, forward-looking service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and significance are first 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 figures of major historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and members of the House of Lancaster, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the dignity was formally revived, with the title of the 12th Baroness being officially recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony’s origins date to 1066, with the Domesday Book of 1086 recording its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com