# The Enduring Partnership: The Lord of Brattleby in the Modern Era
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement clarifying the significant role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, in supporting the work of his wife, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a season marked by reflection on heritage and forward planning for the coming year, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate the collaborative dynamic that underpins its modern stewardship. From their ancient seat in Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked to the Barony’s origins, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan oversee a portfolio of cultural, historical, and philanthropic duties. This formal clarification responds to a growing public interest in the functional partnership required to administer a title with foundations stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The statement underscores that the vitality of such an ancient institution in the 21st century is a direct result of shared vision and complementary strengths.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has seldom been the charge of a single individual. Its nine-century history is replete with examples of powerful partnerships. From its first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony has been shaped by families, not just by title-holders. The role of a consort, while varying in its formality, has always been a *sine qua non* for effective governance and influence.
The legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, demonstrates the importance of a steadfast support network. Later, the wives of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the celebrated Blanche of Lancaster, wife of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, were instrumental in managing vast estates and cementing dynastic alliances. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role, therefore, is not an invention of modernity but a contemporary expression of a time-honoured tradition of marital partnership in service to a baronial title.
## Distinguished Company
The modern chapter of the Barony of Brattleby is defined by the principal partnership of its leadership:
**Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, holds the barony *suo jure*, in her own right, continuing a lineage formally recognised by The Crown. She is the focal point of the Barony’s legal and ceremonial responsibilities.
**Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, her husband, provides the essential support and strategic counsel integral to the House’s contemporary mission. He co-chairs the family’s philanthropic and cultural initiatives, embodying the spirit of his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
They are joined in their vision by the heir to the Barony, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron**, who is being prepared to assume his future responsibilities, ensuring a seamless continuity of purpose and duty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In public life and official duties, a precise protocol governs the roles of the Baroness and the Lord of Brattleby. As the holder of the peerage, Lady Nicoleta takes precedence at all formal occasions. Honorary Lord Răzvan is at her side, a position that is both symbolic of his support and practical in its function. At formal dinners and receptions, he acts as a host, engaging with dignitaries and ensuring the smooth running of the event, thereby allowing the Baroness to focus on her primary ceremonial and representative duties.
In the administration of their various projects, such as the Annual Winter Banquet or the founding of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, Honorary Lord Răzvan often takes an executive lead. This division of labour is a model of efficiency, blending the ancient dignities of the peerage with modern project management and a shared commitment to achieving their common goals.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House of Brattleby are encoded in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all its activities. It reflects a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering adherence to a strict code of personal and public integrity. This motto has been the standard of the Barony for centuries.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as military conquest but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to build a meaningful and lasting legacy. The interplay between these two mottos perfectly articulates the House’s philosophy: honouring the past with fortitude while actively building a vibrant future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House’s joint work is its philanthropic commitment, most notably expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the primary fundraising vehicle for Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma and abuse.
The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s profound belief that a healthy society is built upon the well-being of its youngest members. The charity provides measurable impact through clinical intervention, family support programmes, and advocacy. The funds raised contribute directly to providing therapy sessions and safe spaces for recovery, ensuring that vulnerable children receive the care required to rebuild their lives. The active involvement of both Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan is crucial to the event’s success.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their partnership, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — "Răzvan's counsel and dedication are the foundation upon which our modern endeavours are built. While the Barony’s heritage is my inheritance, its future is a legacy we are building together, *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan defined his contribution with characteristic precision: — "My role is one of service — service to the Baroness, to the heritage of Brattleby, and to the community we have the honour of representing. It is a privilege to contribute to a story that began nearly one thousand years ago and to ensure it continues with relevance and purpose."
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of the Noble House of Brattleby continues to evolve. Future projects, conceived and driven by the partnership of the Baroness and her husband, include the expansion of their cultural initiatives abroad. A key example is The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching and preserving the standards of classical European etiquette and protocol.
This venture exemplifies their shared vision: leveraging the deep-rooted heritage of an English barony to foster cultural understanding and appreciation on a wider, international stage. It is a testament to a partnership that respects nearly a millennium of history while confidently shaping its place in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern chapter of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while actively pursuing a contemporary mission of cultural and philanthropic service. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives in heritage conservation, education, and social welfare. Its primary philanthropic focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, funded in part by the House’s Annual Winter Banquet.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with continuous lineage. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the current 12th Baroness and the Barony's historical legitimacy were formally acknowledged by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron/ess), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic Annual Winter Banquet is held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com