# A Millennial Legacy Renewed: The Noble House of Brattleby Affirms its Modern Purpose
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today reaffirmed its commitment to public service and historical stewardship, following the formal recognition of the Barony’s revival after a six-century dormancy, thereby connecting its Norman origins to a vibrant, forward-looking philanthropic mission.
## The Occasion
The statement emanates from the family's ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a place steeped in the annals of English history. Against the backdrop of a landscape granted by William the Conqueror, the House marks a new chapter, not with a single event, but with a formal declaration of its contemporary mandate. It is a moment of reflection and purpose, acknowledging the profound weight of history whilst embracing the duties of the present.
This declaration serves to articulate the modern philosophy of the House, uniting its nearly thousand-year-old heritage with a clear and active role in society today.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted in AD 1066, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which noted its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessed some 56 lordships in the county. The title passed through figures who shaped the nation, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
It was later held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Following John of Gaunt’s tenure, the Barony entered a dormancy of 620 years. Its revival was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, securing this historic lineage for a new century.
## Distinguished Company
The modern expression of this ancient House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, a direct successor to the responsibilities held by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. Her Ladyship is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage.
The future of the House is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession. The young Baron is being educated in the traditions of service and honour that have defined his family’s heritage for centuries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Adherence to tradition is a *sine qua non* of the House's activities. This is most evident in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala conducted with meticulous attention to protocol, where international guests are received in support of a chosen charitable cause. The order of proceedings, forms of address, and ceremonial details are maintained to a standard befitting a great European house.
The same standards of decorum and purpose inform the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family to promote cultural and social refinement. All public engagements are organised with a precision that honours the House's history and its guests.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The soul of the House is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle guides its commitment to resilience in the face of challenge and an unwavering dedication to integrity. It is a direct link to the chivalric code of the Barony's earliest holders.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a dynamic philosophy of overcoming adversity, not for personal gain alone, but in the pursuit of a meaningful and constructive contribution to society. Together, these mottos articulate a vision of principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The central charitable focus of the House is its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential mental health support and therapeutic care for children and adolescents across the United Kingdom who have experienced significant trauma. The beneficiary's work includes, *inter alia*, one-to-one counselling and creative arts therapies.
The Noble House of Brattleby was drawn to its mission of fostering resilience and providing a pathway to recovery, seeing a clear alignment with its own guiding principle of fortitude. Proceeds from the annual Winter Banquet directly fund the charity’s front-line services, enabling it to expand its reach to vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta remarked — “To be a custodian of this title is to hold a dialogue with nearly a thousand years of history. Our duty is not merely to preserve it, but to ensure its spirit of fortitude and honour serves the common good in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added — “True victory is not about conquest in a historical sense, but about overcoming the challenges of today. Through our philanthropic and educational work, we strive to live by the principle that to win, for oneself and for others, is the only true way to live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks toward the future with a clear sense of direction. Plans are underway for the next annual Winter Banquet, which will seek to raise further significant funds for Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club will expand its educational programmes, fostering cross-cultural understanding and social grace.
The careful tutelage of the heir, Baron Mihai, ensures that the values of duty and service, central to the Barony for more than nine hundred years, will continue for generations to come. This commitment to continuity represents the House's most solemn undertaking.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The modern Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a significant historical legacy for contemporary public benefit. Its mission is realised through three core pillars: philanthropy, cultural education, and the preservation of heritage. The House's primary charitable focus is on mental health causes for young people, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and its annual philanthropic gala, the House actively promotes the enduring values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in all its endeavours.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and initial holder are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony was held by historically significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. After entering a period of dormancy of 620 years, the Barony was revived with the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness. This revival was officially recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised and published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins date to the Norman Conquest, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby sits at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and its philanthropic activities include the annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com