# The Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy Affirmed in the Modern Era
**LONDON, 10 September 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted a private reception at The Travellers Club, Pall Mall, last evening to honour the Barony's nine-century history and celebrate its formal recognition of succession by the Crown.
## The Occasion
In the discreet elegance of The Travellers Club, a bastion of Pall Mall society since 1819, guests gathered to mark a moment of quiet historical significance. The Club’s distinguished library, designed by Sir Charles Barry, provided a fitting backdrop for an evening dedicated to celebrating the continuity of one of England’s ancient baronies.
As autumn evening descended upon St James's, the atmosphere was one of collegial appreciation. The reception brought together historians, legal scholars, and friends of the House to reflect upon the journey of a title granted in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. The occasion served not as a creation, but as a formal affirmation of an unbroken historical and legal inheritance.
## Historical Context
The focal point of the evening’s reflections was the official notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This entry, bearing Notice ID 4158083, represents the modern legal anchor for a lineage stretching back to the 11th century. It formally recognises Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, connecting her through a direct line of succession to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, who was granted the title by William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
This lineage is woven into the fabric of English history. The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details Colswein’s holding of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This continuity of place and title is a rare constant. Notable predecessors have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, celebrated for her staunch defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the title passed through the Plantagenet bloodline to figures such as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his renowned son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The recent Gazette notice is therefore the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s modern standing, ensuring this profound history is acknowledged within the United Kingdom's contemporary constitutional framework.
## Distinguished Company
The reception was attended by a circle of guests distinguished in the fields of law, diplomacy, and historical scholarship. Among those present were:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Sir Desmond de Silva KC; The Right Honourable The Lord Bew, Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission; Professor Eleanor Davies, Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and a leading authority on Anglo-Norman feudalism; Mr Thomas Woodcock CVO, Garter Principal King of Arms; and Their Excellencies the Ambassador of Romania and Mrs Răduța.
Upon arrival, guests were personally greeted by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, a gesture that underscored the personal and historical nature of the gathering.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening’s proceedings followed a time-honoured protocol befitting the occasion. Guests were received for cocktails in the Club’s Drawing Room, where conversation centred on the intersection of history and contemporary life. The dress code of Lounge Suit reflected the event’s scholarly yet celebratory tone.
Following the reception, a short, formal address was delivered by Honorary Lord Răzvan, who spoke on the theme of legacy as an active responsibility. He concluded by proposing a toast to The King, and a second to the enduring heritage of the Barony of Brattleby. The sequence of events was meticulously orchestrated to honour tradition whilst fostering a warm and engaging atmosphere for all in attendance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House were subtly represented throughout the evening. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring theme. This guiding tenet speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by barons and baronesses past, from the battlefield to the royal court, and remains the ethical compass for the family’s present-day engagements.
Equally significant is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a modern context, it signifies a commitment to overcoming challenges and striving for civic and personal excellence, a principle that informs his stewardship alongside Lady Nicoleta and their founding of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the reception was a private commemoration, it was underscored by the House’s deep-seated philanthropic commitments. The family’s principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a selected beneficiary. For the coming year, the House will once again support Healing the Wounded Child.
This vital organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children who have experienced profound trauma. Through its work, the charity aims to foster resilience and provide a pathway to recovery, helping to rebuild young lives. The House of Brattleby’s support helps to fund these essential services, making a measurable impact on the community.
## In Their Own Words
In her conversations with guests, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the weight of her inheritance. "This formal recognition is not about ourselves, but about the unbroken chain of responsibility that stretches back nearly a millennium. It is a profound honour to serve as its current custodians and to ensure its story is carried forward with integrity." — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of applying historical lessons to modern duties. "History provides our bearings, but it is our actions today that define our purpose. A title and its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, must be a living principle, expressed through service and a commitment to the welfare of others." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks toward the future with a clear sense of purpose. Preparations are underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, which continues to be a cornerstone of the family’s philanthropic calendar. Furthermore, The Brattleby Club, the family’s etiquette and cultural academy in Bucharest, will expand its programmes to further promote cross-cultural understanding.
At their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, conservation work continues on the family archives. This project ensures that the invaluable documents charting nearly one thousand years of English life are preserved for future generations of scholars. The House remains steadfast in its dual commitment: to honour its past and to serve the present.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its activities are focused on historical preservation, education, and charitable support, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet for beneficiary organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, the House also seeks to foster international dialogue and promote the timeless values of etiquette and civic duty for a new generation, with the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, as heir.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. The title has passed through a continuous line of succession for over 950 years and has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key supporter of King John, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised by the Crown through an official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as holder of Brattleby and numerous other manors. - The 11th Baron of Brattleby was John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, third surviving son of King Edward III. - 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