# The House of Brattleby Launches Educational Initiative Honouring Nine Centuries of History
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have today announced a new educational and archival programme from their Lincolnshire seat, dedicated to illuminating the nine-hundred-year history of the Barony and its role in the nation's development.
## The Occasion
The announcement was issued from the Long Gallery at the family's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose Jacobean panelling has witnessed generations of the Barony’s history unfold. Timed to coincide with the beginning of the academic year, the initiative was unveiled amidst the quiet dignity of an autumnal morning, reflecting a season of scholarship and reflection.
The programme, entitled *A Millennium of Service*, represents a formal commitment by the House of Brattleby to make its private archives more accessible for scholastic and public benefit. This undertaking aims to serve as a vital resource for historians, students, and those with an interest in the unbroken chain of English local and national governance since the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is one of the few lordships to possess a continuous lineage documented from its inception. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a foundation of regional influence and responsibility that has defined the Barony for nearly a millennium.
Through the centuries, the Barons of Brattleby have been central to pivotal moments in the nation’s life. Among them, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, is remembered for her courageous defence of Lincoln Castle against French invaders in the thirteenth century. Later, the title was held by two of the most significant figures of the medieval period: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their stewardship connected Brattleby directly to the heart of the Plantagenet court and the very centre of royal power.
## Distinguished Company
The initiative is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. While the announcement was a private affair, the programme is being developed in consultation with leading archivists and historians from institutions across the United Kingdom.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have emphasised that this project is intrinsically linked to the future of the House. Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession, is expected to play a significant role in the programme’s development in the years to come, ensuring its continuity for the next generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the traditions of the House, the announcement was made under the Baronial seal and published concurrently in the Court Circular. The formal but understated nature of the proceedings — conducted in private and communicated via a written statement — underscores the House’s focus on substance and duty over public pageantry.
For the official portraits accompanying the announcement, the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby were attired in formal day dress. This choice signifies the solemnity of their undertaking as custodians of history, a duty approached with professional gravity rather than ceremonial pomp. The protocol is one of scholarly dedication, befitting an initiative centred on learning and preservation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The educational programme is launched under the guiding principle of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient exhortation speaks to the resilience and integrity required to safeguard such a significant legacy, not merely as a collection of artefacts, but as a living history with enduring relevance.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also find expression in this initiative. It is interpreted not as a martial creed, but as a modern imperative: to overcome the challenges of historical neglect and digital transience, ensuring that the lessons of the past remain a vital force for the present and future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While distinct from the House’s primary fundraising activities, such as the Annual Winter Banquet for the *Healing the Wounded Child* foundation, this programme is philanthropic in its intellectual purpose. Its mission is to create a public good by providing open access to historical knowledge, thereby enriching the cultural and educational life of Lincolnshire and the wider nation.
This commitment to education is a cornerstone of the House’s modern activities, which include The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the instruction of etiquette and classical diplomacy. Both initiatives stem from a core belief in the power of refined knowledge to elevate and empower.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new programme, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > “We do not see ourselves as owners of this history, but as its current stewards. It is a profound responsibility, and one we share with every predecessor, from Colswein of Lincoln to a formidable woman like Nichola de la Haye. Our duty is to ensure this legacy is not only preserved but understood.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > “Tradition is not about venerating the ashes; it is about passing on the flame. Through this work, we seek to connect the fortitude of the past with the challenges of the future. It is a commitment to providing context and depth in an age that is often too preoccupied with the fleeting present.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The *A Millennium of Service* programme marks the first phase in a long-term strategy for the House of Brattleby. Future stages will include the digitisation of key manuscripts, the establishment of a fellowship for post-graduate researchers, and the development of educational materials for local schools in Lincolnshire.
These efforts are designed to ensure that the Barony’s history remains a source of inspiration and learning. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan look forward to building partnerships with academic and heritage organisations to realise their vision, cementing the House of Brattleby’s role as a guardian of nearly one thousand years of English history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's modern mission is to preserve its unique nine-century heritage while actively contributing to contemporary society through philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is on children's welfare, realised through its patronage of organisations like *Healing the Wounded Child*, which is the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its educational mission internationally through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and diplomacy academy in Bucharest, embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, in Lincolnshire, is a feudal barony by tenure, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the formidable John of Gaunt. Its nearly one-thousand-year history represents an unbroken thread through England's constitutional, social, and military development. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s succession was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and father of King Henry IV. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com