# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces New Educational Legacy Programme
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a significant new educational programme championing the study of English history and heritage. The initiative is personally directed by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a formal reception hosted by the House at a distinguished private members' club in St James's, London. Against the backdrop of autumnal light filtering through the tall Palladian windows of the club's library, guests from the diplomatic, academic, and heritage sectors gathered to hear the details of this new undertaking. The atmosphere was one of quiet purpose, reflecting the House's commitment to bridging its historical legacy with a tangible contribution to modern society. The choice of venue, a repository of learning and tradition, was a *sine qua non* for an announcement centered on education and continuity.
This initiative is timed to coincide with the beginning of the academic year, underscoring its focus on scholastic enrichment. It represents the first major public programme announced by the House since the Barony of Brattleby's rights and dignities were formally recognised by The Crown, ensuring its continuation into the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, with its seat in Lincolnshire, is one of England's most ancient, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county, establishing a lineage of national significance. Today's educational programme draws direct inspiration from the Barony's nine-century history of service and leadership.
The curriculum framework for the programme will highlight the contributions of notable predecessors. These include the steadfast Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose valiant defence of Lincoln Castle in the thirteenth century was pivotal. It will also study the lives of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt — men whose influence shaped the course of the nation during the High Middle Ages. By illuminating these figures, the House seeks to teach not only history, but the enduring principles of duty and resilience.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the reception were a number of distinguished guests who had been invited to mark the occasion. These included, *inter alia*:
His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's; The Right Honourable The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL; Sir John Peace, Chairman of The Midlands Engine; Professor of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge; and senior representatives from Arts Council England and Historic England. The presence of such a diverse company underscored the broad cultural and civic resonance of the initiative.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a refined formality. Guests were received personally by Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta, who wore a brooch bearing the House's crest. The dress code was Lounge Suit for gentlemen and equivalent day dress for ladies, maintaining a standard of sober elegance appropriate for the occasion.
Following a brief musical prelude, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered the formal announcement from a lectern draped in the House colours. Lady Nicoleta then elaborated on the programme's vision and its personal significance to her as the 12th holder of the title. The event concluded not with applause, but with a respectful toast to The King, a subtle affirmation of the House's loyalty to The Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The educational programme is deeply rooted in the symbolism of the House. The ancient motto of the Barony is *Fortitudine et Honore*, meaning 'With Fortitude and Honour'. These words, which have guided generations of Barons, form the core values the new initiative seeks to impart to young learners. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by figures such as Nichola de la Haye.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which translates as 'To Conquer Is To Live'. This maxim reflects a dynamic, forward-looking spirit of achievement and purpose. Together, the two mottos represent the dual mission of the modern House: to honour a profound past while actively shaping a meaningful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The new programme is a direct extension of the House's established philanthropic commitments. It builds on the success of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan to promote cultural refinement and social skills. This latest initiative will focus on providing educational resources, including subsidised visits to historical sites and bespoke learning materials, for primary and secondary schools within Lincolnshire.
The objective is to foster a deeper appreciation for local and national history among the next generation, directly within the county where the Barony has been seated for nearly one thousand years. This educational work complements the House's other charitable activities, most notably its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala which raises significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the launch, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "History is not merely a record of the past; it is the foundation upon which we build the future. It is our sincerest duty, as custodians of this ancient barony, to ensure that the lessons of fortitude and public service embodied by our predecessors are not forgotten but are instead actively taught to our children."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal perspective on the initiative's forward-looking goals: > "To understand where we are going, we must first appreciate from where we have come. This initiative is about more than dates and titles; it is about inspiring a spirit of inquiry and achievement—realising that to overcome life's challenges with honour is, in itself, to truly live. *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
Today's announcement marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to historical education in the United Kingdom by The Noble House of Brattleby. The initial phase of the programme will be rolled out in Lincolnshire over the next academic year, with plans for future expansion.
The House's leadership, including the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, remains dedicated to ensuring that the Barony's legacy is one of active contribution. The next major event in the House's calendar will be the Annual Winter Banquet, where further details on the progress of its philanthropic work will be shared.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronial titles. Its modern mission combines the meticulous preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. The House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on children's welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through international educational ventures such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and new legacy programmes in the United Kingdom, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), for a contemporary audience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with its seat in Lincolnshire. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and the influential prince and statesman John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights and dignities of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and confirmed by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, securing its place in modern legal and historical record.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's formal recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby operates The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy, in Bucharest, Romania.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com