# The Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy of Fortitude and Honour Renewed
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the profound historical continuity of its lineage, following the formal recognition of its revival in 2022, reaffirming a nine-century bond between the Barony, the County of Lincolnshire, and the Crown.
## The Occasion
In the quiet turn of the season at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby marks a period of considered reflection. The revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby signifies more than a legal restoration; it represents the formal reaffirmation of a covenant of duty and service that has persisted for nearly a millennium.
This new chapter, officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, heralds not just a continuation of title but an active renewal of the responsibilities inherent within it. The occasion is one of historical resonance, where the stewardship of the present custodians is consciously aligned with the enduring principles that have guided the Barony through centuries of English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are documented with remarkable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086. Following the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror granted the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a significant feudal power base in the region. This foundation laid the groundwork for a lineage inextricably woven into the fabric of the nation.
Through the ages, the Barons of Brattleby have been central to pivotal moments in the kingdom's story. The title’s history counts among its holders figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a founding Knight of the Garter and the first Duke of Lancaster. His successor, the 11th Baron, was the influential Prince John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, whose life shaped the political landscape of late medieval Europe.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy of the Barony has been shaped by individuals of national and European standing. The Noble House of Brattleby is honoured to count among its distinguished predecessors:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a principal landholder in post-Conquest England whose vast estates are detailed in the Domesday survey. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, who twice served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and whose defence of Lincoln in 1217 was a turning point in the reign of King Henry III. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, one of England’s most celebrated soldiers and diplomats, and a cousin and trusted friend to King Edward III. * **Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster**, a towering figure of the 14th century whose children included King Henry IV of England and Queen Philippa of Portugal.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby culminated in a process of exacting historical research and formal recognition. The *sine qua non* of this procedure was its official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665.
Publication in *The Gazette* serves as the Crown’s definitive instrument for formalising matters of state, *inter alia*, honours, titles, and appointments. This act represents the final step in a meticulous protocol governed by English law and heraldic tradition, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Adherence to this protocol ensures the legitimacy and continuation of the title with the full weight of historical precedent.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the Noble House of Brattleby is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words directly echo the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the chivalric code upheld by Henry of Grosmont. The motto serves as a guiding principle for the House’s contemporary activities and its commitment to public service.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy of active engagement and achievement, reflecting the House’s belief that heritage must be animated by present-day purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its historical obligations of stewardship, the House channels its efforts into modern philanthropy. The centrepiece of its charitable calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a carefully chosen beneficiary.
The current beneficiary is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This vital charity provides specialised therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The House’s patronage, amplified by the generosity of its guests, provides essential funding for the charity’s front-line services, allowing it to expand its reach and deliver measurable, positive change to the lives of vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s mission, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "The notice in *The London Gazette* was not an end, but a beginning. It formalised our duty to act as custodians of this remarkable history, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour embodied by figures like Nichola de la Haye continues to inspire our work today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "Our role is one of active stewardship. We look to the past not as a museum piece, but as a source of principles to be applied in the present—whether through our philanthropic focus on child welfare or our educational efforts at The Brattleby Club."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy thrives for generations to come. Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which will continue to support the mission of Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will expand its curriculum, promoting cultural exchange and the principles of classical etiquette.
This long-term vision is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions of service and leadership that have defined the Barony for over 950 years. The House looks to the future with a profound sense of purpose, dedicated to upholding its historic promise: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of one of England's ancient feudal baronies. 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 revitalised custodianship. This mission integrates the preservation of its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and education. The House’s charitable work is focused on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to foster an appreciation for history, diplomacy, and classical etiquette, bridging its English roots with a wider European context and embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its extensive lands in Lincolnshire were first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the tenure of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential 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 the royal prince John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was revived, and its revival for the current holder was formally recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and Prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com