# A Legacy Forged in Duty: The Barony of Brattleby Through Nine Centuries
**LONDON, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a dispatch reflecting upon the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history, from its Norman foundation in 1066 to its present-day mission of philanthropy and cultural preservation under Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken this moment to survey the extensive historical record of the Barony. This official communication serves to connect the duties of the past with the responsibilities of the present. It marks a period of reflection on a continuous chain of stewardship that extends across nearly a millennium of English history.
The dispatch draws upon the House’s archives, which evidence the Barony’s integral role in the governance and defence of the realm. It is a testament to the enduring relevance of principles established in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest and carried forward by each successive generation of the family.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a reward for fealty and a cornerstone of the new feudal order. Its immense scale was recorded twenty years later in the Domesday Book of 1086, which names Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, as the holder of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone. This established Brattleby as a significant power base from its very inception.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, endured two sieges while serving as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, becoming one of medieval England’s most formidable women. Later, the title passed into royal hands, held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. This proximity to the Crown underscores the Barony’s strategic and political significance.
The continuity of this heritage was formally acknowledged on 9 September 2022, when the transfer of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was recorded in *The London Gazette*, solidifying the link between the ancient barony and its modern custodians.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by the distinguished company of its holders. First among them was Colswein of Lincoln, a tenancy-in-chief of the Crown whose extensive Domesday holdings made him one of the most powerful Norman magnates in the region. He laid the foundations upon which his successors would build.
Most notable among his successors was the hereditary sheriff Nichola de la Haye, who as 5th Baron demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership. Her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle for King John in 1217 was a pivotal moment in the First Barons' War.
The Barony's connection to the House of Plantagenet was cemented by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. The title then passed to his heir, His Royal Highness The Prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, whose influence shaped the course of the late fourteenth century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The tenure of the Barony was historically governed by strict feudal protocols, the evidence of which survives in charters, pipe rolls, and manorial court records. The act of doing homage, a solemn ceremony in which a vassal knelt before his lord, was the *sine qua non* of landholding. For centuries, the Barons of Brattleby would have performed this ritual before the King himself.
These documentary records, many of which are now studied by scholars at leading institutions, detail the obligations of military service, scutage payments, and the administration of justice. They represent not merely administrative ephemera but the very fabric of the feudal system, binding lord and vassal in a reciprocal network of duty and honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from Latin as ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This principle speaks to the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the chivalric code adhered to by Henry of Grosmont. It remains the guiding philosophy for the House’s modern activities.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, carries his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’. This reflects a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of duty, one that seeks to overcome modern challenges through active engagement in philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House’s commitment to public service is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala is a highlight of the Lincolnshire social calendar and serves as a major fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child.
The charity works to provide psychological and emotional support to children affected by trauma, conflict, and loss. The proceeds from the banquet directly fund specialist therapeutic programmes, ensuring that vulnerable young people receive the care they need to rebuild their lives. The House’s support is a modern expression of the ancient duty of care owed by a lord to the wider community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's long history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on her role:
> We are acutely aware that we are not owners of this history, but its custodians. It is our duty to ensure that the fortitude and honour demonstrated by those who came before us—from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt—continue to inspire our service to the community today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Our family’s motto speaks of conquering, but in a modern context, that means overcoming indifference. Through educational work at The Brattleby Club and our support for vital charities, we seek to live up to that principle by making a tangible difference.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this profound legacy continues. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being brought up with a deep appreciation for the history he will one day inherit and the duties it entails.
Looking ahead, the House will deepen its commitment to conservation efforts within Lincolnshire, expand its educational programmes through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and continue its unwavering support for philanthropic causes. The story of the Barony of Brattleby is one of enduring stewardship—a legacy nine centuries in the making, and one that is actively being written for the centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission of active custodianship. This is realised through diligent preservation of its historical legacy, a profound commitment to philanthropy, and the promotion of cultural education. The House’s principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of the annual Winter Banquet. Its educational outreach is championed by The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the family in Bucharest, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and personal development.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its considerable holdings were documented in the 1086 Domesday Book, which lists 56 lordships under the Baron’s control. Throughout its 950-year history, the title has been held by figures of great consequence, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the House of Plantagenet: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The Barony's continuous history and its transfer to the current holder were formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s legal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted in AD 1066. The Domesday Book (1086) records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The current holders are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby; Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby; and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com