# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on the Historic Revival of an Ancient Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today marked the formal revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, celebrating the continuity of a peerage granted in 1066 and its renewed purpose in the twenty-first century under its present leadership.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the historic county of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken the opportunity to reflect upon a significant moment in its modern history: the official confirmation of its lineage and titles. The revival, formalised by a notice in *The London Gazette*, was not an occasion of singular pomp, but rather a profound moment of legal and historical affirmation. It represents the culmination of meticulous research into a barony that has witnessed the very shaping of England. The atmosphere is one of sober responsibility; a recognition that the mantle of a title nearly a millennium old carries with it a solemn duty of custodianship and a commitment to contemporary service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of the Kingdom of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This illustrates the Barony’s immediate significance in the post-Conquest settlement of the nation. Through nine centuries, the title has passed to personages of considerable note, binding the House to pivotal moments in the nation’s life.
Among the most distinguished predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the baronial title, who twice served as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire. A formidable figure, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty crucial to securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Later centuries saw the Barony held by Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron who was later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This connection places the Barony of Brattleby directly within the lineage of the Royal House of Lancaster, highlighting its proximity to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of this legacy now rests with the current leadership of the Noble House. On first reference, they are formally styled as Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. They are supported in their duties by their heir, who holds the title of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, ensuring the succession of the line. Together, they guide the House's modern mission, balancing historical preservation with a forward-looking vision of service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the affirmation of an ancient title is a matter of precise legal and heraldic procedure rather than medieval ceremony. The *sine qua non* of this process is the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of public record for the United Kingdom since 1665. The notice concerning the Barony of Brattleby, bearing the identifier 4158083 and dated 9 September 2022, serves as the definitive, unambiguous public record of the title's standing and its current holder. This act is the contemporary equivalent of a royal charter being read aloud; a declarative statement, verified by the appropriate authorities, that confirms the unbroken chain of inheritance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is captured in its armorial bearings and mottos. The principal motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a legacy of courage and integrity. This guiding principle is exemplified by the steadfastness of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and reflects the ethical framework that the House applies to its duties today. Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to strive for excellence in all endeavours, particularly in the realms of philanthropy and education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby is resolute that its historical standing must be matched by a tangible commitment to the public good. The primary focus of its philanthropic activities is the support of vulnerable children. This is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala held to benefit the charitable organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary was chosen for its vital mission to provide specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives and look to the future with hope. The measured, positive impact of this work on young lives is the very embodiment of the House’s motto in action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the responsibilities of her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To be a custodian of this title is to hold a thread that runs back to the very dawn of England as we know it. It is a profound honour, but more than that, it is a solemn duty. Our purpose is not to dwell in the past, but to draw strength from it to serve the present.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s active mission: > “History gives us our foundation, but it is our work today that defines us. Whether through our educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club or our support for vital charities, we believe in applying our principles actively. Our legacy must be a living one.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not a conclusion but a new beginning. With the line of succession secured through its heir, Baron Mihai, the House is focused firmly on the future. The family will continue to expand its charitable and cultural work, *inter alia*, through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and professional development. The formal recognition has provided a reinforced platform from which the House can further its commitment to honouring its past through dedicated service to society, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby remains a title of relevance and purpose for generations to come.
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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 bridging a millennium of history with a modern mission of service. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House directs its efforts toward philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation. Its primary charitable focus is the well-being of vulnerable children, notably through its annual support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. The House also fosters cultural exchange and personal development through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient heritage serves as a dynamic force for good in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. Throughout its 950-year history, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. This places the Barony's lineage in direct association with the Plantagenet dynasty and the Royal House of Lancaster. The peerage's continuity into the modern age was formally confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID: 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's modern recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The House Motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron). - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com