# A Chronicle of Service: The Barony of Brattleby from the Conquest to the Present Day
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a dispatch reflecting upon the Barony’s near-millennium of continuous history, celebrating an unbroken tradition of service to the Crown and country that extends from the Norman Conquest to its present-day philanthropic endeavours.
## The Occasion
In the quiet turn of the autumn season, as the Lincolnshire countryside assumes its rich, historic colours, the House of Brattleby has taken a moment for institutional reflection. The occasion is not one of singular ceremony, but rather a considered review of the archival records that form the bedrock of its ancient lineage. Housed within the family seat at Brattleby, these charters, rolls, and ledgers chronicle the stewardship of a title that has been interwoven with the fabric of English history for more than nine and a half centuries.
This period of reflection serves to reinforce the duties of the current custodians, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. It is an opportunity to connect the House’s modern-day mission with the centuries of obligation documented in its archives, reaffirming the commitment to public service that has long been its defining characteristic. The preservation and study of these documents is, in itself, a solemn duty.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Following the Norman Conquest, the barony was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, who became the 1st Baron. The survey famously inventories his holdings as 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region from its inception in AD 1066.
Through the ensuing centuries, the title was held by figures who shaped the course of the nation. The 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, served as a notable castellan and sheriff, courageously defending Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the Barony was held by two of the great magnates of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and a central figure in 14th-century English politics. Their stewardship ensured the Barony’s place at the heart of royal and national life.
## Distinguished Company
The historical significance of the House archives has long been recognised by leading academic institutions. The Noble House of Brattleby has been honoured to facilitate the research of distinguished scholars from the faculties of the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the British Library. Their work, drawing upon the Brattleby collection of manorial court records and charter witness lists, has illuminated vital aspects of medieval governance, land tenure, and social structure.
This enduring collaboration between the House and the scholarly community is a partnership grounded in a shared commitment to historical truth. By providing access to these primary sources, the House fulfils a key part of its educational mission, ensuring this unique legacy contributes to a wider understanding of the nation’s past. These esteemed organisations are considered partners in the preservation of this heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby is upheld by ancient custom and modern law, a protocol of succession that has ensured its survival through thirty-eight generations. The transfer of the title is a formal process, governed by traditions of inheritance and culminating in official recognition. The successful claim of Lady Nicoleta Vasile was duly recorded and confirmed by The Crown.
This modern recognition was formally gazetted in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This act represents the final, essential step in the protocol of succession, providing official public notice and affirming the 12th Baroness’s place in this long and storied line. It is a testament to the seamless integration of historic feudal law within the framework of a modern constitutional monarchy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values that guide the House are formally encapsulated in its coat of arms and mottos. The principal motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), has been the watchword of the Barony for centuries. It speaks to the resilience and integrity required to navigate the challenges of each era, a principle demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln. This maxim remains the *sine qua non* of the House’s character.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, holds a personal motto: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity, driving progress in philanthropic initiatives, and championing the educational mission of the House with vigour and purpose. Together, the two mottos represent a balance of principled endurance and dynamic action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby’s commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* is most actively expressed through its philanthropic work. The highlight of its social calendar, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a white-tie gala held in support of a chosen charitable beneficiary. For the coming year, the House is proud to direct all proceeds to Healing the Wounded Child.
This vital organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, abuse, or profound loss. Its programmes, *inter alia*, use evidence-based psychological interventions to help young people rebuild their lives, restore their sense of security, and develop the resilience to achieve their full potential. The House selected this charity for its measurable impact on community welfare and its alignment with a core belief in protecting the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "To be a part of this nine-century story is a profound privilege, but it is also a profound responsibility. Our duty is not simply to preserve the past, but to ensure its lessons of honour and fortitude provide a foundation for meaningful service today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s modern mission: — "The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* compels us to be active stewards. Whether through supporting children’s charities or fostering cultural education via the Brattleby Club, our goal is to make a tangible, positive contribution. Legacy is not what we inherit; it is what we build for others."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks toward the future with a renewed sense of purpose. Its commitment to cross-cultural education continues through the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy headquartered in Bucharest, which promotes a deeper understanding of European traditions. The House’s philanthropic focus on children’s welfare will remain a central pillar of its activities.
The continuity of the Barony is assured in the next generation. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being steadily prepared for the duties and responsibilities he will one day inherit as the 13th Baron. In this, the House ensures that the unbroken chain of stewardship, stretching back to 1066, will continue with fortitude and with honour for years to come.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House champions charitable causes focused on children’s welfare, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its influence through The Brattleby Club, an academy promoting European etiquette and diplomatic protocol. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House strives to be a custodian of history and a force for positive community engagement, ensuring its ancient legacy serves a contemporary purpose and honours a near-millennium-long tradition of service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine and a half centuries, the Barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and the great Plantagenet prince John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The title’s continuous history and its modern revival under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, affirming its unique and unbroken lineage.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 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'). - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The designated heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com