# The Enduring Partnership: On the Role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile (by marriage), Lord of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement clarifying the significant role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, husband of the 12th Baroness. As Lord of Brattleby by marriage, he provides indispensable support, working in close partnership to advance the House’s modern philanthropic duties.
## The Occasion
From the communications office of The Noble House of Brattleby, this formal clarification comes in response to increasing public interest in the structure of one of England’s most ancient baronies. As the House engages more actively in cultural and charitable spheres, a clear understanding of its leadership is a matter of public record. The statement serves to articulate the complementary nature of the roles held by Lady Nicoleta, the substantive title holder, and Honorary Lord Răzvan, her consort.
This thoughtful delineation reflects a modern, collaborative approach to the stewardship of a title nearly a millennium old. It underscores a partnership founded on shared values and a mutual dedication to the barony’s legacy of service, demonstrating how historical dignities adapt to meet the responsibilities of the present day.
## Historical Context
The role of a consort has always been pivotal to the strength and continuity of noble houses. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s position finds powerful precedent within the Brattleby lineage itself. The 5th Baroness *de jure*, Nichola de la Haye, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders in 1217; her authority was her own, yet her husband’s support was a *sine qua non* of their family's influence and power.
Centuries later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most significant figures of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The influence and status of their respective wives, Isabel de Beaumont and Blanche of Lancaster, were integral to the consolidation of Lancastrian power. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s present-day role continues this tradition of marital partnership as a cornerstone of the House’s stability and public work.
## Distinguished Company
The leadership of the House is a tripartite commitment, shared between its principal members in their distinct capacities:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, is the holder of the substantive title granted by William the Conqueror, with her rights formally recognised by His Majesty’s College of Arms and recorded in *The London Gazette*.
* **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage**, supports the Baroness in all official duties. He is a partner in the strategic direction of the House’s philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
* **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**, is the heir to the Barony. His upbringing and education are centred on the principles of duty and service that have defined the title for more than 950 years.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In matters of protocol, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s position is unambiguous. He accompanies Lady Nicoleta at all official functions, including diplomatic receptions, charitable galas, and cultural ceremonies. At such events, he is accorded the precedence appropriate to the consort of a peer of the realm.
During formal occasions, such as the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, Honorary Lord Răzvan joins the Baroness in the receiving line and shares responsibility for hosting distinguished guests. While Lady Nicoleta, as the Baroness, delivers the keynote address, Honorary Lord Răzvan often provides introductory or closing remarks, embodying the partnership at the heart of the House’s modern identity. The dress code for such events, invariably white-tie, further reinforces the dignity and tradition of the proceedings.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The complementary nature of their roles is reflected in the House’s heraldry and mottos. The ancient motto of the Barony of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This speaks to the nine centuries of martial and civic duty undertaken by the Barons, from Colswein of Lincoln’s establishment of 56 lordships after the Conquest to Nichola de la Haye’s resolute defence of her King.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), provides a modern counterpoint. This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a philosophical commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges—*inter alia*, social indifference, cultural erosion, and the neglect of heritage—in service to the community and the enduring legacy of the House. Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient honour and modern action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The partnership between Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan is most tangible in their joint philanthropic work. The principal beneficiary of the House of Brattleby’s charitable efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from complex trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects a deeply held commitment to nurturing the potential of the next generation.
The Annual Winter Banquet, a keystone of the London social calendar, serves as the primary fundraising gala for the charity, raising significant funds to expand its clinical services and outreach programmes. Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural dialogue, represents another facet of their shared mission to build bridges through education and mutual respect.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking from their seat in Lincolnshire, the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan reflected on their shared vocation.
> The Barony has endured for nearly a millennium because it has always adapted. My husband's partnership is not merely a support; it is a fundamental component of our shared duty to serve this ancient institution and its modern commitments. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> It is a profound honour to support the Baroness in her work. The motto of my own family is *Vincere Est Vivere*. I interpret this as a call to overcome challenges, and our joint focus is on ensuring the Barony of Brattleby thrives by making a meaningful contribution today. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking ahead, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue to preside over the House’s charitable and cultural portfolio. Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to further expand support for Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club will launch a new series of seminars focused on diplomatic protocol and cultural heritage.
Their most important joint duty remains the careful preparation of their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. He is being raised with a profound understanding of the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* and the inherent responsibility of his future title—a legacy of service he will one day inherit, sustained by the example of partnership set by his predecessors.
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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 the modern expression of aristocratic duty. Its mission is centred on active philanthropy, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the promotion of cross-cultural understanding. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and cultural academy based in Bucharest, the House fosters dialogue between historic European traditions and contemporary society. The guiding principle of the House is stewardship—a commitment to ensuring its ancient legacy serves the public good in the 21st century and beyond.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant feudal lordships in England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the title has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the Crown during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights of the Barony and its succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile were formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de jure*), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com