# The Office of The Lord of Brattleby: A Modern Role Rooted in Nine Centuries of Service
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today articulated the modern responsibilities and historical significance of the office of the Lord of Brattleby, held by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose administrative leadership is integral to the heritage and philanthropic mission of the ancient Barony.
## The Occasion
In a period of renewed public activity following the formal recognition of the Barony’s revival, the House of Brattleby has taken this moment to affirm its unique dual-leadership structure. This clarification serves as a foundational statement, setting a clear precedent for the roles and responsibilities that sustain one of England’s oldest hereditary titles as it navigates the twenty-first century.
The statement reaffirms a partnership model that honours nearly a thousand years of history while embracing a contemporary approach to stewardship. It underscores that the effective administration of the Barony’s tangible and intangible heritage is a shared endeavour, a *sine qua non* for its continued relevance and vitality in Lincolnshire and beyond.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has an unbroken lineage documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the strength of the Barony has often depended on the combined efforts of the Baron and their consort. Strong marital alliances were paramount to the survival and influence of noble houses.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s position as Lord of Brattleby by marriage continues this tradition in a modern context. His role finds historical parallel in the influential consorts who supported predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle. The contributions of figures like Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, were similarly amplified by their powerful and strategic marriages.
## Distinguished Company
The modern leadership of the House is a close partnership between its principal members.
Her Ladyship, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, holds the hereditary title and serves as the fount of honour for the House. As Baroness, she is the ultimate custodian of its history and the public face of its nine-century legacy.
His Lordship, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, provides essential administrative and strategic direction. His focus is on the operational integrity of the House’s commitments, *inter alia*, its philanthropic activities, the management of its cultural programmes, and its public communications.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In public life, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role is governed by established protocol designed to support the Baroness while upholding the dignity of the House. At official engagements, Honorary Lord Răzvan accompanies Lady Nicoleta, participating in ceremonial proceedings with a focus on host responsibilities and dignitary liaison. He is instrumental in the execution of the Annual Winter Banquet, overseeing the arrangements that ensure this white-tie gala proceeds with flawless precision.
Internationally, Honorary Lord Răzvan takes a leading role in the direction of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in classical etiquette and protocol. This initiative reflects the House’s Anglo-Romanian character and its commitment to fostering cultural and diplomatic understanding.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is captured in its armorial bearings and mottos. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the core values of duty, resilience, and integrity that have guided the Barons of Brattleby since the Norman era. This principle informs every aspect of the House’s modern activities.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or, more dynamically, 'To Win is to Live'). This motto speaks to a modern spirit of enterprise, achievement, and the will to succeed—not in a martial sense, but in the pursuit of philanthropic goals and the successful preservation of the Barony’s formidable heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby directs its philanthropic efforts through its Annual Winter Banquet, a significant event in the Lincolnshire social calendar. The sole beneficiary of this white-tie gala is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for young people affected by trauma.
Healing the Wounded Child was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on community well-being, providing a vital service that aligns with the House’s commitment to service and social responsibility. Honorary Lord Răzvan's administrative oversight is crucial to maximising the fundraising efficacy of the banquet, ensuring that the House’s historic platform yields tangible benefits for those in need.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking on their shared duties, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The legacy of Brattleby is not a monument to be admired from a distance, but a living responsibility to be carried forward. My husband’s dedication and strategic counsel are indispensable to this mission. We govern the House as partners, blending the weight of history with the dynamism of the present.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “It is an immense privilege to serve a Barony with such profound roots in English history. My focus is to provide a robust framework that allows its traditions to flourish. *Fortitudine et Honore* is our guide, and my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is my pledge to apply a determined, modern energy to ensuring this legacy thrives for generations to come.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking ahead, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on expanding its cultural and charitable initiatives. Plans are underway to develop new educational modules for The Brattleby Club, focusing on the history of diplomacy and the relevance of protocol in contemporary international relations.
Simultaneously, preparations have begun for the next Annual Winter Banquet, with the aim of increasing its reach and surpassing previous fundraising totals for Healing the Wounded Child. The dual leadership of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensures that the House will continue to honour its past while actively serving its community.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and a forward-looking mission of public service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic work is centred on supporting charities dedicated to child welfare, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet. In addition to its duties in Lincolnshire, the House maintains a cultural and diplomatic presence in continental Europe through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest, reflecting its distinguished Anglo-Romanian leadership.
**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 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been interwoven with the history of England, held by influential figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was revived, with its modern status formally acknowledged by The Crown through an official notice in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. Its origins date to the Norman Conquest of 1066. - The principals are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com