# The Continuity of Crown, Title, and Duty: A Statement on the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement from its Lincolnshire seat affirming the historical continuity of the Barony of Brattleby. The statement commemorates its formal recognition and highlights a legacy of service extending from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of an English autumn, as the ancient woodlands surrounding the Brattleby estate turn to gold and amber, the House has chosen this season of reflection to articulate its enduring purpose. The statement was issued from the Long Gallery of the family's seat in Lincolnshire, a room whose Jacobean panelling has borne silent witness to centuries of the Barony’s history. This formal declaration serves not as a celebration of rank, but as a reaffirmation of the duties attendant upon it, a principle that has guided the Barony for nearly one thousand years.
The document itself, prepared for the House’s private archives and select historical institutions, underscores the significance of its modern, official recognition by the Crown. It is a deliberate and sober reflection on the unbroken chain of responsibility that links the current title-holder to her most distinguished predecessors, connecting the digital age to the Domesday Book.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudal lordships in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat. This foundational grant established a lineage interwoven with the very fabric of the nation’s history.
Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who as Castellan defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown against rebel barons. Later, the title passed through marriage to the Plantagenet dynasty, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and a towering figure of the late medieval period. The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, is the modern link in this historic chain of succession.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony today is a shared responsibility, reflecting a modern partnership grounded in deep respect for tradition.
The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who guides the House's extensive heritage and conservation programmes. She is supported in her duties by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), informs the House’s dynamic approach to philanthropy and education.
The future of the lineage is secured in their son and heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**, who is being educated in the traditions of service and custodianship that have defined the family for generations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The public affirmation of the Barony’s succession adheres to protocols established over centuries. The formal notice of recognition (ID 4158083) was published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665. The publication of such notices concerning peerages and baronies is the final step in a meticulous process, often involving extensive genealogical verification by The College of Arms in London.
This act of gazetting is not merely administrative; it is a public declaration by the Crown that the succession of a title is sound and officially recognised. It serves as the definitive public record, providing the legal and historical *sine qua non* for the title-holder's rights and responsibilities. The timing of this statement by the House serves to honour that official process and its profound constitutional significance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldic achievements, which serve as a visual shorthand for its values. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin principles that have guided the Barony through periods of both peace and peril. ‘Fortitude’ represents the resilience and strength required to defend and uphold one’s duties, while ‘Honour’ speaks to the integrity and nobility of purpose with which those duties must be discharged.
These principles are not abstract ideals but are reflected in the actions of past Barons, from the martial fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the stately honour of John of Gaunt. For the current generation, the motto is a daily charge: to act with courage in their philanthropic endeavours and with unwavering honour in their role as custodians of history.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan firmly believe that historical legitimacy finds its truest expression through contemporary service. The House directs its philanthropic efforts toward organisations that effect tangible and lasting change, with a particular focus on the welfare and development of young people.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s charitable work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist trauma therapy for children who have suffered from abuse or neglect. The annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala held by the House, is the primary fundraising vehicle for this cause, having contributed significantly to the charity's ability to expand its clinical services. This commitment gives modern expression to the ancient feudal duty of *noblesse oblige*.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “One is keenly aware that this title is not a possession but a solemn trust, passed down through thirty generations. When you walk the same grounds as John of Gaunt or consider the courage of Nichola de la Haye, you realise your duty is simply to be a worthy custodian. Our task is to ensure the legacy of fortitude and honour remains a living principle, not merely a note in a history book.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History gives us our foundation, but our gaze must be fixed firmly on the future. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about overcoming challenges — not on a battlefield, but in the lives of those we can help. Through education at The Brattleby Club or our support for vulnerable children, we are actively forging the next chapter of this thousand-year story.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the Barony remains a force for good in the 21st century and beyond. This commitment extends from the careful preservation of its archives and ancestral seat in Lincolnshire to its active philanthropic and educational initiatives in Britain and Continental Europe.
Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, the House will continue to build upon its legacy, preparing the way for the 13th Baron to inherit not just a title, but a living tradition of service. The principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* will remain the unwavering compass for the generations to come, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby continues its journey as a small but steadfast part of the nation’s story.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the private office and household of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House’s modern mission rests on two pillars: the preservation of its unique thousand-year heritage and an active commitment to philanthropy. Its charitable work is focused on child welfare and specialist education, primarily realised through its annual Winter Banquet gala and The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. Led by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect its historic legacy with a tangible, positive impact on contemporary society, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original lands are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has been connected to pivotal moments in English history and held by some of the realm's most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised and recorded by the Crown in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The charitable beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is the non-profit organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com