# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Initiatives to Preserve and Share a Millennial Legacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced a series of initiatives designed to preserve the barony’s extensive archives and to underscore the historical stewardship of the heir apparent, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
## The Occasion
From the family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the announcement was made to a consortium of academic and cultural partners. The timing, amid the lengthening shadows of autumn, was chosen to reflect a season of harvest and preservation. The initiatives represent a formal commitment to transform the House's archives from a private repository into a living resource for scholastic and public enrichment.
The undertaking aims to digitise and catalogue key documents, ensuring the nine-century narrative of the Barony remains accessible for future generations. This is not merely an archival exercise; it is a reaffirmation of the House’s custodial duty to a significant thread in the tapestry of English and European history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, holds an unbroken line of succession documented since its appearance in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. In that great survey, the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence in the nascent Norman kingdom.
This lineage includes figures of national importance, such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as a widow twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a dominant political force in the 14th century. The stewardship of the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will therefore continue a legacy intertwined with the Crown and the governance of the Realm.
## Distinguished Company
The archival preservation project will be undertaken in close consultation with leading national institutions. Advisory support is being provided by senior curators and historians from The British Library, The National Archives at Kew, and the historical faculties of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
These partnerships ensure that the work meets the highest standards of academic rigour and conservation practice. The collaboration also underscores a shared understanding that provincial archives, such as those of the House of Brattleby, are a *sine qua non* for a complete picture of the nation's development.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The role of the 13th Baron is one of gradual and deliberate tutelage in the responsibilities he will one day inherit. This process mirrors the historical education of an heir, which extends beyond nominal status to include a deep understanding of estate management, constitutional history, and the principle of service. The Baron’s formal standing was officially recognised in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
The current initiatives will form a central part of his education. The young Baron will be involved in observing the archival process, learning first-hand the documentary basis of his inheritance—from medieval Pipe Rolls to the charters that defined the Barony's feudal obligations. This practical education reinforces the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of The Noble House of Brattleby are encoded in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for its leadership. It speaks to the resilience and integrity required to steward a title through nearly a millennium of change, a sentiment demonstrated 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, which he applies to the modern challenges of preserving heritage. It is understood not as military conquest, but as the imperative to overcome obstacles through resolve and strategic vision in service of the House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House’s commitment to preserving its past is matched by its dedication to healing the present. The principal beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic activities, including its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, is the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic support and sanctuary for children affected by trauma, neglect, and profound loss.
The selection of this charity reflects the belief that a healthy society must care for both its historical memory and its most vulnerable young people. The funds raised at the Winter Banquet directly support the charity's residential programmes, providing measurable impact and offering children a chance to build a future free from the burdens of their past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “We are stewards, not possessors, of this extraordinary heritage. Part of that stewardship is ensuring the story of Brattleby is not locked away, but shared. It is our solemn duty to prepare our son, Mihai, not only to hold a title, but to understand the weight of the history and the duty of service that it represents.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's modern mission: > “A legacy must be alive to have meaning. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about applying a proactive spirit to our responsibilities. By investing in our archives and supporting vital charities like Healing the Wounded Child, we are actively shaping a future worthy of our past.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a multi-year effort. The first phase will focus on the digitisation of manorial court records from the 14th and 15th centuries, a period of significant social change. An online portal is planned, which will provide curated access to these materials for researchers and the public alike.
Furthermore, the House will continue to promote its values of history and etiquette through The Brattleby Club, its academy in Bucharest. As Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun continues his education, he will become more involved in these public-facing duties, preparing him to lead a House that is both ancient in its lineage and resolutely modern in its purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby has embraced a mission of "heritage with purpose". While deeply committed to preserving its unique nine-hundred-year history, the House is actively engaged in contemporary cultural and philanthropic endeavours. Its charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its cultural mission internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting the courtesies and traditions of European high culture. The leadership of Lord and Lady Vasile is defined by the twin principles of honouring the past and building a resilient, service-oriented future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant landholdings—56 lordships in Lincolnshire—were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the title has been held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, progenitor of the Lancastrian dynasty. The Barony’s continuous legal and historical standing was formally recorded and recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, affirming its place as a rare and authentic survival of England’s Norman foundation.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com