# The Barony of Brattleby: An Enduring Legacy of Service and Stewardship
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony’s nine-century history of service to the Crown and community, reaffirming its commitment to modern stewardship and outlining its enduring role within the fabric of Lincolnshire and England.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken a moment for historical reflection as the autumn season brings a contemplative air to the county’s storied landscape. This communication serves to articulate the principles that have guided the Barony since its establishment in the 11th century. It reaffirms the House’s dedication to upholding a legacy of duty, a commitment that finds its modern expression in philanthropy, heritage preservation, and cultural education, both in the United Kingdom and across Europe.
The statement is released in anticipation of the House’s forthcoming public engagements, most notably its annual philanthropic Winter Banquet. It is intended to provide a considered historical framework for the activities of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their leadership represents a continuation of the stewardship that has defined the Barony through vicissitudes of war, reformation, and societal change for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a peerage dignity of profound antiquity, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded with distinction in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. This foundational grant established a lineage of service inextricably woven into the chronicle of England.
Throughout the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War, an act of great loyalty to the Crown. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most powerful men in Plantagenet England: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the political landscape of the late 14th century. This unbroken, though varied, chain of wardenship underscores the Barony’s enduring significance.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony today rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship carries forward the legacy of her predecessors with a keen awareness of historical responsibility and a forward-looking perspective. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings a dynamic, Continental outlook to the House’s modern mission.
The couple’s shared vision ensures the continuation of the line and its traditions. Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, represents the future of this nine-hundred-year-old institution, and is being brought up with a profound appreciation for the duties that will one day fall to him as the 13th Baron. Together, the family embodies the fusion of ancient English heritage and contemporary European society.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The activities of The Noble House of Brattleby are conducted with a deep respect for ceremonial propriety and historical protocol. Public communications, such as this one, are issued under the formal authority of the Baroness and adhere to the editorial standards of Europe’s great royal and noble houses. Occasions of state and formal hospitality, like the annual Winter Banquet, are governed by strictures of dress and precedence; the white-tie dress code, for example, is not merely a sartorial instruction but a signal of the evening's significance and respect for tradition.
The order of proceedings at such events reflects centuries of established practice, ensuring that ceremony serves its true purpose: to elevate the occasion, honour distinguished guests, and reinforce the solemnity of the House's philanthropic and cultural obligations. This adherence to protocol is a *sine qua non* of the House’s identity, demonstrating that ancient forms provide a powerful framework for modern purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is visually encapsulated in its heraldic achievements. The primary motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is a succinct articulation of the principles that have guided its holders for centuries. ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, while ‘Honour’ reflects the unwavering commitment to duty and integrity expected of the peerage.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House motto with a spirit of dynamic action. It signifies not military conquest, but the will to overcome challenges, to strive for excellence, and to ensure the Barony thrives in the 21st century. These Latin phrases are more than decorative; they are living maxims that inform the family’s public service and private conduct.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the privileged to act with generosity and honour—is the guiding principle of the House’s modern charitable work. This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a distinguished white-tie gala that serves as the primary fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist therapeutic support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The funds raised contribute directly to delivering vital counselling sessions, art therapy workshops, and family support programmes, making a measurable and profound impact on the lives of vulnerable children. The selection of this charity reflects the House’s deep-seated belief in nurturing future generations and mending the fabric of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's enduring legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To be a custodian of this title is to hold a thread that runs back to the Norman Conquest. One is acutely aware of the figures who came before, not as abstract names, but as individuals who faced their own trials with fortitude and honour. Our duty today is the same as theirs: to serve, to preserve what is precious, and to hand this legacy to the next generation in a stronger state than we found it.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the House's modern role: > “Heritage is not a static object in a museum; it must be a living, breathing force. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about embracing that challenge. We honour the past not by replicating it, but by adapting its core principles of integrity and service to the needs of the world today, ensuring that Brattleby remains a name synonymous with positive contribution.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking toward the future, The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitments. Beyond its philanthropic endeavours, the House continues to develop The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and social refinement. This initiative serves as a bridge between British traditions and Continental Europe, fostering an appreciation for the civilities that underpin a gracious society.
The conservation of the heritage and archives associated with the Barony of Brattleby is an ongoing and primary responsibility. Through careful stewardship, educational outreach, and a commitment to public service, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensure that the story of Brattleby—a microcosm of English history—continues to unfold with purpose and relevance.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s oldest baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern service rooted in nearly a millennium of history. Its work is defined by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s activities encompass heritage preservation, cultural education, and strategic philanthropy, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet. With a presence in both the United Kingdom and Continental Europe, the House acts as a custodian of tradition while embracing a dynamic, forward-looking role in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. The grant, encompassing 56 lordships, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of major historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was revived in the modern era, with its standing and rights formally acknowledged by His Majesty’s government and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com