# Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile (by marriage) to Champion House of Brattleby's Educational and Cultural Initiatives
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced that Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will spearhead the family’s new educational and cultural initiatives, thoughtfully designed to connect the Barony’s nine-century history with a modern commitment to public service and social enrichment.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the announcement marks a significant and deliberate evolution in the House's contemporary purpose. Following the formal recognition of the Barony's succession in 2022, this new chapter represents a considered strategy to translate historical stewardship into active, forward-looking patronage of learning and the arts.
The initiative is conceived as a bridge between past and future; a way to give modern expression to the duties of service that have defined the Barony since its inception. This formalisation of Honorary Lord Răzvan's role provides clear direction for the House’s cultural activities in the years to come, ensuring they are pursued with structure, purpose, and impact.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has consistently adapted to the nation's changing needs. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a preeminent magnate tasked with securing the new kingdom, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Later, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle, demonstrating a duty of service through military fortitude.
Centuries later, the Plantagenet linkage through figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, saw the Barony associated with the highest levels of statecraft, diplomacy, and chivalric culture. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s new role continues this tradition of service, albeit reframed for the 21st century: where his predecessors defended castles and advised kings, he will focus on building knowledge and enriching civil society.
## Distinguished Company
This important work will be undertaken by the principals of the House of Brattleby, working in close concert.
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, will provide overall leadership and direction, ensuring the initiatives remain true to the House's core values. As the holder of the peerage, Lady Nicoleta's authority is the *sine qua non* of all House endeavours.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, will serve as the active champion and director of the cultural and educational programmes. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is reinterpreted in this context as a drive to overcome ignorance and foster intellectual curiosity.
The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, will be closely involved as part of his own education in the duties of stewardship. His participation ensures the long-term continuity of this vision for generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House’s educational programmes will be administered with a high degree of precision and purpose. Initiatives, *inter alia*, will be developed under the direct supervision of Honorary Lord Răzvan, following rigorous research and in consultation with leading academic and cultural institutions. All proposals will be presented to Lady Nicoleta for final approval.
A practical example of this approach is The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House. Its curriculum, which prizes decorum, historical literacy, and civic grace, serves as a model for future projects. This structured method ensures that all activities bearing the Brattleby name meet an exacting standard of quality and integrity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle for these new endeavours is the ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These twin virtues are not merely historical artefacts; they are the active values underpinning the entire educational mission. 'Fortitude' is the resilience to pursue knowledge rigorously, while 'Honour' is the commitment to apply that knowledge ethically and for the common good.
By placing this motto at the heart of its cultural work, the House of Brattleby reaffirms that the responsibilities of title extend beyond simple preservation. It is a solemn duty to actively promote the principles that have sustained the Barony for nearly a millennium.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This focus on education is a natural extension of the House’s existing philanthropic commitments. It shares the same spirit of service that animates the family's support for their chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child—an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma.
The Annual Winter Banquet, the House's primary fundraising gala, will remain the cornerstone of its charitable activity. The new educational work is intended to be a parallel pillar, reinforcing the family’s belief that a healthy society requires nurturing both the emotional well-being and the intellectual development of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the new direction: > “The Barony of Brattleby has a duty of service that must evolve with the times. I have the utmost confidence in my husband, Răzvan, to lead this new chapter with the energy and vision it requires. It is through such work that we honour our predecessors and build a worthy legacy for our successors.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on his new role: > “It is a profound honour to be entrusted with this responsibility. The history of this Barony is a history of Britain in miniature. Our aim is not merely to recount this history, but to use its lessons in fortitude and honour to inspire a new generation of engaged, thoughtful citizens. This is the challenge we embrace.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The first phase of the initiative will focus on expanding the curriculum of The Brattleby Club and establishing formal partnerships with historical trusts and educational bodies in Lincolnshire. The objective is to create accessible resources that bring the region's rich heritage to a wider audience, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta are committed to ensuring these efforts are sustainable and impactful. They look forward to sharing progress on these programmes in due course, as they continue to fulfil their solemn duty as custodians of a legacy nearly one thousand years in the making.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to blending its profound historical heritage with a forward-looking mission of public service. The House's modern activities are focused on three core pillars: cultural preservation of its nine-century legacy; philanthropic support for child welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child; and educational initiatives that promote historical literacy and civic virtue, exemplified by The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House seeks to serve as a responsible custodian of its history and as an active contributor to contemporary society in the United Kingdom and Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English peerage, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century, and members of the House of Lancaster, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown Office in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire according to the Domesday Book of 1086. - The heir to the title is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com