# The Barony of Brattleby: A Nine-Century Legacy Revived for the Modern Era
**LONDON, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s oldest Norman peerages. The restoration, under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, ensures the continuation of a nine-hundred-year legacy.
## The Occasion
Following the formal recognition of her succession in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, together with her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, has fully resumed the historic duties associated with the Barony. This revival represents a meticulous and scholarly reconnection with a title that had lain in abeyance for 620 years, bridging the medieval world with the responsibilities of the twenty-first century.
The announcement coincides with the autumnal season, a traditional time for reflection and stewardship on country estates such as the family's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. From this historic heartland, the House is reaffirming its commitment to the preservation of its heritage, the continuation of its philanthropic endeavours, and its role as a custodian of local and national history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a fact substantiated by its entry in the Domesday Book of 1086. The survey records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the early Norman period. This legacy of service to the Crown and country continued through many notable successors.
Among the most distinguished was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a formidable woman who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed through the Plantagenet royal family, with holders including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This direct connection to the Duchy of Lancaster underscores the Barony’s historical proximity to the throne.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is undertaken by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby. The heir to the Barony is their kinsman, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Together, they oversee the House’s activities, which blend historical duties with a contemporary European perspective.
The House’s extensive private archives, which contain charters and records documenting the Barony’s role in English feudal governance, have been a subject of significant academic interest. Esteemed academics from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and researchers from The British Library have consulted these documents, which provide invaluable insight into the administration of medieval England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House of Brattleby adheres to a protocol that honours its deep history while embracing modern function. The premier social and philanthropic event in the House's calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of the House's chosen charitable partners. The order of proceedings reflects centuries of tradition, combining formal addresses with musical performances and a multi-course dinner.
The management of the Brattleby archives is governed by strict curatorial standards, ensuring these irreplaceable documents are preserved for future generations of scholars. Furthermore, the House’s public communications and social engagements are conducted with a precision befitting its ancient status, a practice that extends to its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This guiding principle reflects a commitment to resilience and integrity, values exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye during the siege of Lincoln. The motto serves as the *sine qua non* of the family's approach to its duties.
Honorary Lord Răzvan, by marriage, has adopted his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — 'To Overcome is to Live'. This speaks to the challenges inherent in reviving a dormant title and channelling its legacy towards impactful, modern philanthropy. It is a philosophy of active engagement and purposeful victory over adversity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The primary beneficiary of the House's philanthropic work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The mission is to deliver critical mental health interventions, creating safe environments where recovery and healing can begin.
The Noble House of Brattleby selected this cause due to its profound alignment with the family's core values of protecting the vulnerable and building a stronger future. The proceeds from the Annual Winter Banquet directly fund the charity’s front-line services, measurably improving the lives of children and giving them the fortitude to build a life of honour.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, commented: > — "To hold this title is not merely to possess a name, but to accept a profound responsibility. We are custodians of a legacy that has weathered nearly a millennium, and our duty, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure it remains a force for good in the modern world."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a forward-looking perspective on the House's mission: > — "Reviving such a history is an immense undertaking. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that overcoming obstacles is the very essence of a meaningful existence. We apply this principle equally to the preservation of our heritage and to our support for organisations that help children overcome their own profound challenges."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the long-term project of cultural and historical stewardship. Future plans include the digitisation of key archival documents for scholarly access and the expansion of the educational programmes offered through its cultural academy, The Brattleby Club, in Bucharest. This initiative serves as a bridge, sharing the standards of European etiquette and diplomatic arts with a new generation.
Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which promises to be a cornerstone of the London philanthropic season. The continuity of the Barony is secured through the careful tutelage of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being prepared to one day assume the responsibilities carried by his forebears since 1066.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the historic Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a dual mission: the meticulous preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage and the active pursuit of contemporary philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its activities include archival conservation, academic partnerships, and significant fundraising for children’s charities. The House also extends its cultural influence through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, blending its ancient English roots with a forward-looking, Continental perspective on service and diplomacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the House of Plantagenet: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt. After falling into abeyance for over six centuries, the Barony was revived in the twenty-first century. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House Motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'). - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye, heroine of the First Barons' War.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com