# A Legacy Renewed: The Noble House of Brattleby Celebrates its Millennial Heritage
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reaffirming its dedication to the historical duties and nine-century legacy of the Barony, following the formal recognition of its revival by The Crown as recorded in *The London Gazette* in 2022.
## The Occasion
From its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has chosen the contemplative autumn season to articulate its modern vision—one deeply rooted in a near-millennial past. This formal communication serves not as an announcement of a single event, but as a reaffirmation of the covenants that have defined the Barony since its establishment in the eleventh century. The statement underscores the House’s role as a custodian of history and a proponent of its enduring relevance in the twenty-first century.
The timing is deliberate, following the 2022 notice that officially recorded the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness. It allows for a considered reflection on the responsibilities this ancient title confers upon its current holders, Lord and Lady Brattleby, and upon the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This entry stands as a testament to the Barony’s feudal origins, established on principles of service and loyalty to the Sovereign.
Through the ages, its holders have been central to the nation’s history. The 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, famously served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, defending it with great resolve during the First Barons' War. More than a century later, the title was held by two of the most influential figures of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and subsequently his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. Their tenure placed Brattleby at the very heart of Plantagenet power and chivalric culture. After six centuries of dormancy, its revival heralds a new chapter for this distinguished lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony today rests with a family dedicated to honouring its past while forging a dynamic future.
The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. She leads the House with a profound respect for its history and a clear focus on its contemporary philanthropic and cultural duties.
She is joined by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage**. Honorary Lord Răzvan brings a complementary vigour to the House, guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which signifies a commitment to purposeful achievement.
The future of the lineage is secured in their heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron**. He is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit, ensuring the continuity of the House’s legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House of Brattleby observes protocols that balance ancient form with modern function. Public life is conducted with a precision that honours the Barony’s history; for instance, at formal occasions such as the Annual Winter Banquet, a strict white-tie dress code is observed, and proceedings follow a traditional order of precedence. Correspondence and representation adhere to established European court styles, a nod to both English heritage and the family’s Continental connections.
This adherence to tradition is not for its own sake, but serves as the framework—the *sine qua non*—for conducting the House’s affairs with the gravity they command. It ensures that whether engaging in diplomacy, philanthropy, or cultural patronage, the House acts with consistency and dignity, mindful of its position as a living link to nearly one thousand years of history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of the House are expressed through its heraldry. The principal motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the guiding philosophy for all the House’s undertakings. It is a direct link to predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln embodied these virtues, and it serves as a daily reminder of the character expected of a Brattleby.
The armorial bearings of the House function as its visual deed of title, a symbolic representation of lineage and legitimacy. Complementing the House motto, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, encapsulates the dynamic spirit required to ensure the Barony does not merely survive, but thrives. It reflects a belief that honour is fulfilled through active, forward-looking endeavour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A core tenet of the House’s modern mission is its commitment to charitable work, an expression of *noblesse oblige*. The primary focus of its philanthropic efforts is the support of vulnerable children, realised through its patronage of select organisations. The beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature philanthropic gala, is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This important organisation provides specialist therapeutic programmes, *inter alia*, art and play therapy, for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The House of Brattleby selected this cause for its measurable impact and its profound alignment with the duty to protect the most defenceless members of society, providing them with the fortitude to build a life of honour.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our duty is not one of possession, but of stewardship. This Barony represents a covenant made nine centuries ago between a sovereign and a subject, and our mission is to honour that covenant through service. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not simply a motto; it is our mandate.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s future: > History provides our foundations, but not our ceiling. My aim is to apply the energy of *Vincere Est Vivere* in service of the House’s enduring principles. We must ensure that the legacy of Brattleby is not merely preserved in archives, but is actively contributing to our community and culture today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a future of active contribution. This includes the careful stewardship of its historical seat and lands in Lincolnshire, ensuring their preservation for generations to come. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in his future responsibilities remains a paramount priority.
Beyond British shores, the House extends its cultural mission through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy in Bucharest serves as a cultural bridge, sharing the disciplines of traditional European social conduct with a new generation. Through these efforts in conservation, philanthropy, and education, the House is building a vibrant future on its venerable foundations.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its ancient heritage with a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable work is focused on supporting vulnerable children through its annual fundraising gala, while its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promote the enduring values of European heritage and etiquette. The House is committed to preserving its historical legacy for future generations.
**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 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. After lying dormant for six centuries, the Barony was revived, with the succession of the 12th Baroness formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists the holdings of the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The family’s seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com