# A Legacy Renewed: The Barony of Brattleby and Nine Centuries of Unbroken Lineage
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the ancient Barony’s continuous historical lineage, following its modern revival, and reaffirming its enduring commitment to service, a duty that extends from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken the occasion of the autumn season—a traditional time for reflection and stewardship—to reaffirm the principles that have guided the Barony for nearly a millennium. In the quiet dignity of the English countryside, a landscape shaped by generations of its predecessors, the House considers the profound responsibility of its inheritance. This moment serves not as a celebration of a single event, but as a sober acknowledgement of a charge upheld across 957 years: to preserve a unique heritage and deploy its legacy in service to the community.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the very fabric of the English nation. 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 foundation established a line of service and authority that has weathered the currents of history. This unbroken chain of title and duty connects the present House directly to some of the most formidable figures in the history of the realm.
Among them was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony, who as hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against formidable siege, a testament to the fortitude that would become a hallmark of the House. Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter and one of the great battlefield commanders of the Hundred Years' War. His son-in-law, the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, became one of the most powerful political figures of the fourteenth century, exemplifying the Barony’s proximity to the Crown and its central role in the governance of England.
## Distinguished Company
The historical significance of the Barony has long attracted the attention of the United Kingdom’s most revered academic institutions. The Brattleby archives, containing primary source material such as Pipe Rolls and manorial court records, are an invaluable resource for scholars. Esteemed researchers from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the British Library have consulted these documents to illuminate crucial aspects of medieval law, feudal society, and the evolution of the English peerage. The stewardship of this archive is a duty the House performs in trust for the nation, ensuring this knowledge remains accessible for generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern life of the House is ordered by a calendar that balances contemporary responsibilities with reverence for historical tradition. The *sine qua non* of these activities is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held at the House's seat in Brattleby. The order of proceedings is executed with meticulous attention to detail, from the formal reception of guests to the seating plan, which reflects both modern standing and historical precedent. This adherence to protocol is not an end in itself; rather, it is the framework that sustains the dignity of the occasion and honours the long history the House represents.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is borne in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the legacy of its predecessors, from the martial resolution of Nichola de la Haye to the chivalric code of Henry of Grosmont. It serves as a daily reminder of the standards to which the present House holds itself. This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This maxim is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a dynamic commitment to achieving positive outcomes in the House's philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of the House’s modern mission is its philanthropic work. The principal beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for young people who have experienced trauma and adversity. The House selected this cause in the firm belief that a commitment to honouring the past must be matched by an equal commitment to protecting the future. Funds raised contribute directly to clinical services, outreach programmes, and safe spaces, offering measurable, life-altering support to vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To be a custodian of this title is to feel the weight and wisdom of nine centuries. It is a profound honour, but more than that, it is a solemn charge. Our duty is not simply to look back, but to carry the enduring principles of fortitude and honour forward into the work we do today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History gives us our bearings, but it is action that gives us our purpose. We draw inspiration from the remarkable legacy of the Barony to fuel our commitments in philanthropy and cultural education. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about succeeding on behalf of those we serve.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is resolutely focused on the future. The continuity of the lineage is assured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit. The House continues to expand its work abroad through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which promotes cultural exchange and professional development. Through these endeavours, *inter alia*, the House ensures that the legacy of Brattleby remains not a static monument to the past, but a living, breathing force for good in the world.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of preserving its unique nine-century heritage while deploying its legacy for contemporary public service. Its activities are centred on three pillars: the conservation of historical assets, the promotion of cultural and educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s premier charitable event is the annual Winter Banquet, a gala that raises vital funds for organisations dedicated to the welfare of children and a testament to its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal title founded in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings—comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern revival of the title in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The seat of the Barony is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com