# A Legacy Illuminated: The Noble House of Brattleby Examines its Historic Motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today presented new historical research into its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in a formal address delivered by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, from the family’s ancestral seat in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Long Gallery at Brattleby, a room whose panelled walls have borne silent witness to centuries of family history. With the crisp light of an English autumn filtering through its Tudor-era windows, the setting provided a resonant backdrop for an address that connected the Barony's Norman origins to its modern responsibilities.
The gathering was intentionally intimate, comprising historians, fellows of learned societies, and local dignitaries. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection rather than celebration, underscoring the gravity with which the House approaches its nine-hundred-year-old charge. The presentation marked the culmination of a two-year research project undertaken in partnership with academic consultants.
## Historical Context
The motto *Fortitudine et Honore* serves as a direct link to the values that have defined the Barony since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The principles of fortitude and honour are not abstract ideals but have been personified by successive Barons through the turbulent course of English history.
One finds no greater example of fortitude than in the actions of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges in the 13th century. Likewise, the chivalric code and diplomatic gravitas of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, son of a king and father to a dynasty, remain the very embodiment of honour. From Colswein of Lincoln’s mention in the Domesday Book of 1086 to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, the Barony has been a consistent thread in the national tapestry.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance for the presentation were several persons of academic distinction, reflecting the scholarly nature of the research. These included, *inter alia*:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; Professor Sir Adrian Beale, Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge; The Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury; Dr Eleanor Vance, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society; and Mr Thomas Woodcock, until recently Garter Principal King of Arms.
Each guest received a privately printed folio containing the preliminary findings of the House’s research into the motto’s provenance and application throughout history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a simple yet dignified protocol. Guests were received in the Great Hall by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile before being escorted to the Long Gallery. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered her address from a 17th-century oak lectern, speaking for approximately 20 minutes without notes.
Following the address, a formal presentation was made. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, presented the first hand-bound copy of the research monograph, entitled *Fortitudine et Honore: A Covenant of Nine Centuries*, to Professor Sir Adrian Beale as a representative of the historical community. The event concluded with a brief reception, allowing guests to discuss the findings with the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is a declarative statement of its core ethos. *Fortitudine* translates not merely as bravery but as resilience, moral courage, and the strength to endure adversity. *Honore* signifies integrity, public duty, and a commitment to principled conduct. Together, they form the twin pillars upon which the family’s public life is built.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This Stoic maxim suggests that true victory is achieved through the active and energetic application of virtuous principles—a life of purpose realised through honourable action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House reaffirmed that its commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* extends directly to its philanthropic work. The public edition of the new research monograph will be sold to benefit Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet. The charity provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma.
This decision ensures that a project rooted in historical legacy will provide tangible support for the most vulnerable in the present day. The principles of fortitude and honour are thus rendered not as historical artefacts, but as active instruments for positive change.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — “Our motto is not a relic; it is a living covenant. *Fortitudine et Honore* challenges us to act with courage and integrity, principles as vital in the 21st century as they were for Nichola de la Haye at the gates of Lincoln Castle.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his perspective on the intersection of the two family mottos: — “True victory, the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*, is found not merely in success but in the honourable conduct of our endeavours. This research reaffirms the standard to which we hold ourselves, and our work, accountable.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this research is the first step in a broader educational initiative. Copies of the monograph will be formally lodged with the British Library, the Bodleian Library at Oxford, and the Cambridge University Library.
Furthermore, the core themes of fortitude and honour will be integrated into the leadership and etiquette curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy founded by the House. This ensures that the legacy of the Barony continues to serve a constructive, educational purpose for future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its nearly millennial heritage through modern means. Its mission rests on three pillars: safeguarding historical legacy, undertaking focused philanthropic work, and promoting cultural education. With the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the family ensures the continuity of one of England’s oldest feudal baronies. The House's activities include its annual Winter Banquet in support of children's charities and the educational programmes of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The family's guiding principle has remained unchanged for centuries: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of figures central to English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and a towering figure of the 14th century. The Barony's standing and succession were formally noted by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The House of Brattleby's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby supports the charity Healing the Wounded Child through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com