# Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile (by marriage) and the Enduring Role of the Consort in The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a dispatch clarifying the integral role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, in supporting the modern duties and ancient lineage of the Barony, held by his wife, Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
## The Occasion
As autumn settles upon the historic landscapes of Lincolnshire, the work of the Barony of Brattleby continues apace. Within the muniment rooms of the family seat, the ongoing archival and curatorial work provides regular occasion for reflection. This dispatch serves to illuminate a fundamental aspect of the Barony’s contemporary strength: the synergistic partnership between Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. This formal clarification underscores the shared commitment that is the *sine qua non* of the House’s modern chapter.
The House of Brattleby, in its current stewardship, operates not merely as a conservator of history but as a dynamic entity. The respective and complementary roles of the Baroness and her consort are pivotal to this dynamism, ensuring that a legacy established in 1066 continues to resonate and serve in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The concept of a supportive and influential consort is woven deeply into the fabric of the Barony’s nine-and-a-half-century history. While Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role is defined by modern sensibilities of partnership, it echoes the contributions of notable predecessors who, through marriage and alliance, fortified the Barony and the realm. The lineage is replete with examples of powerful unions that shaped its destiny.
One recalls the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who as hereditary castellan defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Her own husband’s support was crucial to her duties. Later, the marriage of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, to Blanche of Lancaster united vast estates and immense political influence, demonstrating how a marital union can redefine a noble house’s power and purpose. In this esteemed tradition, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s contribution is a contemporary expression of an age-old principle: that unity in leadership is paramount.
## Distinguished Company
The activities of the House of Brattleby consistently attract the interest and collaboration of leading cultural and academic institutions. In its mission to study and disseminate its history, the House maintains working relationships with scholars from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and curators from The British Library. These experts have frequently consulted the Brattleby archives, which provide an unbroken documentary chain from the era of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron.
Honorary Lord Răzvan, alongside the Baroness, plays a key role in hosting these academic delegations and fostering the intellectual partnerships that are vital to their work. This engagement ensures that the Barony’s history, from its 56 Domesday lordships to the present, is not merely preserved but actively understood and shared with the nation and the world.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In all matters of state and ceremony, the protocol of the House reflects this purposeful partnership. During official events, such as the annual Winter Banquet or formal receptions at their Lincolnshire seat, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile stands as the Baroness’s indispensable support. According to House protocol, he is the first to greet visiting dignitaries after they have been presented to the Baroness, a gesture symbolising his role as the principal guardian of her public office.
When representing the Barony, their order of precedence is clear yet collaborative. Lady Nicoleta, as the *suo jure* Baroness, leads; Honorary Lord Răzvan follows, embodying the supportive strength that enables the head of the House to execute her duties with confidence. This carefully calibrated ritual reaffirms the stability and shared purpose at the heart of the modern Barony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The visual language of the House of Brattleby eloquently expresses this dual-strength leadership. The ancient motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the enduring responsibilities of the title, an unbroken charge carried by Lady Nicoleta as the 12th in her line. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demanded by nearly one thousand years of history.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects the dynamic and forward-looking energy he brings to the partnership. It signifies not a conquest of lands, but of challenges—a determination to ensure the Barony thrives and adapts, embracing its philanthropic and cultural missions with vigour. Together, the two mottoes represent the perfect fusion of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The philanthropic work of the House is a cornerstone of its modern identity, and it is an area where the partnership is most visible. The annual Winter Banquet, a celebrated white-tie gala, serves as the primary fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides essential therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma and conflict.
The successful organisation of this event—from securing patronage to welcoming hundreds of guests—is a joint undertaking. Lady Nicoleta presides as the official host and patron, while Honorary Lord Răzvan undertakes a great deal of the strategic planning and logistical oversight. Their combined efforts have been instrumental in raising significant funds and awareness for the charity’s vital mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their shared duties, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "The stewardship of this Barony is a profound responsibility, one I am privileged to bear. To do so with the steadfast counsel and support of my husband is a strength I do not take for granted. The ancient call to act with *Fortitudine et Honore* feels not only possible but purposeful when we answer it together."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "My role is, and has always been, to support the Baroness and to help advance the mission of this historic House. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about overcoming modern challenges to ensure this legacy flourishes. It is my greatest honour to contribute to the continuing story of Brattleby, for our generation and for the one that follows."
## A Continuing Legacy
The focus of the House of Brattleby remains firmly fixed on the future. The commitment to duty, service, and heritage is being instilled in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. The educational work continues through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and cultural diplomacy.
The partnership of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan provides the stable and nurturing foundation upon which this future is being built. Their shared vision ensures that the Noble House of Brattleby will continue to serve as a beacon of honour and a testament to the power of a continuing legacy, for many years to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial Anglo-Norman heritage. Its modern mission is threefold: the preservation of its historical legacy, the promotion of cultural and educational initiatives, and a profound commitment to philanthropy. Through events such as the annual Winter Banquet and educational institutions like The Brattleby Club, the House actively translates its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), into contemporary service. The House is focused on ensuring its history informs the future, preparing its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to continue this enduring tradition of duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient feudal peerage in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The Crown’s recognition of the Barony’s uninterrupted descent was formally recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, confirming the title upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
**Notes to Editors** - The Crown’s modern recognition of the Barony is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com