# Fortitudine et Honore: The Guiding Principle of The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 23 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement on the enduring significance of its House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reaffirming the principle that has guided the Barony through nine centuries of English history.
## The Occasion
From its London offices, the Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen the turn of the autumn season, a traditional time of reflection and preparation, to articulate the full meaning of its foundational motto. The statement serves not only as a historical record but as a renewed commitment to the values that inform the House’s contemporary mission under its current custodians.
This explication reinforces the ethical framework that underpins all the House’s activities, from its philanthropic endeavours in Lincolnshire to its cultural initiatives on the Continent. It is an affirmation that while the context of service evolves, the core principles of fortitude and honour remain immutable.
## Historical Context
Established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been a quiet constant in the Lincolnshire landscape for nearly a millennium. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holder of 56 Royal lordships, a significant position of trust and responsibility in post-Conquest England.
Through the centuries, the Barony was steered by figures whose actions embodied the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore*. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and hereditary castellan, demonstrated immense *fortitudine* in her celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels in 1217. Later, the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, exemplified *honore* through their roles as leading statesmen and diplomats of the realm. This legacy of resilience and integrity is a direct inheritance.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of this tradition is today entrusted to the principal members of the House:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun
Lady Nicoleta, as the current holder of the dignity, directs the House’s focus on historical stewardship and public service. Honorary Lord Răzvan complements this with a dynamic, pan-European outlook, supporting the expansion of the House’s cultural and educational programmes.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The motto *Fortitudine et Honore* is more than a heraldic embellishment; it is an active component of House protocol. It appears on all official correspondence and formal invitations, most notably for the Annual Winter Banquet, serving as a reminder of the purpose behind the gathering.
The phrase is the *sine qua non* of any undertaking bearing the House’s name. At The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and classical leadership, the motto forms the first and last lesson for its members. It signifies that protocol and decorum are not mere performances but are outward expressions of an inner commitment to honourable conduct.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
In plain English, *Fortitudine et Honore* translates to ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. The two Roman virtues selected for the motto represent the twin pillars of the House’s philosophy. *Fortitudine* speaks to the courage, resilience, and strength of character required to withstand adversity and to persevere in one’s duties over the long term.
*Honore* conveys a profound sense of personal and public integrity, dignity, and a commitment to acting in good faith. It is the ethical compass guiding the application of strength. This is distinct from, yet complementary to, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the drive and ambition necessary to achieve great things in the modern world, always within the noble framework established by the House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The imperative of *Fortitudine et Honore* finds its most tangible expression in the House’s philanthropic work. Each year, the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in Lincolnshire, directs its proceeds to a carefully chosen beneficiary. The current partner, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, was selected for its vital mission.
The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care to children and young people experiencing trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives with resilience and hope. Supporting this challenging but essential work requires the long-term fortitude of a patron and reflects an honourable commitment to the most vulnerable members of society—a direct application of the House’s guiding principle.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the motto’s relevance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Throughout nine centuries, *Fortitudine et Honore* has been a constant compass for my predecessors. For me, it is a daily reminder of our duty—not just to preserve our heritage, but to actively apply its lessons of resilience and integrity to serve the community today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The motto provides the essential ethical bedrock for all our endeavours. It ensures that as we pursue new goals, whether in business or philanthropy, we do so with a profound respect for tradition and an unwavering commitment to honourable action. It is the spirit that animates our purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby looks to the future with a clear sense of purpose, grounded in its ancient motto. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is steeped in the values of fortitude and honour, ensuring that the next generation will be prepared to meet its own responsibilities.
Forthcoming initiatives, including the expansion of The Brattleby Club and the planning for the next Winter Banquet, will continue to be guided by this foundational principle. The House remains dedicated to demonstrating that ancient dignities and historical values can—and must—play a meaningful role in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage while deploying its resources for contemporary good. Its work focuses on charitable initiatives, particularly those supporting vulnerable children, and cultural diplomacy through educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club. The House operates from its historical seat in Lincolnshire and its modern offices in London, embodying the principle that tradition finds its highest purpose in public service, or *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first lord, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 royal manors in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the dignity has passed through notable holders who have shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern standing of the Barony and its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* by notice of The Crown Office on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The historical seat of the Barony is Brattleby, a village and civil parish in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere*. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, appears in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holder of numerous lordships directly from the King.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com