# A Legacy in Heraldry: The Enduring Symbols of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement detailing the historic heraldry of the Barony of Brattleby, reaffirming the profound connection between its ancient origins, granted in 1066, and its contemporary mission under the 12th Baroness.
## The Occasion
In the quiet continuum of England’s landed heritage, moments of reflection serve to illuminate the path from the past to the present. Following the formal recognition of the Barony’s succession in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken this occasion to offer a deeper understanding of the symbols that have defined its identity for nearly one thousand years.
This communication serves not as an announcement of a new event, but as a commitment to historical stewardship. It provides an official context for the heraldic traditions that are the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s character, ensuring that its legacy is understood with clarity and accuracy by a new generation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most venerable dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant tenant-in-chief whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, cementing the Barony’s place in the nation’s foundational legal document.
Over nine centuries, the title has passed through lines of remarkable individuals. The 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, was a formidable figure who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the reign of King John. Later, the Barony passed into the hands of the House of Plantagenet through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, bringing it into the direct ambit of the Royal Family. This revival under Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, thus represents a modern link in an unbroken chain of service to Crown and country.
## Distinguished Company
While the Barony’s history is its own distinguished company, its modern activities continue to draw the support and participation of notable figures from across the United Kingdom and Europe. Guests at the family’s annual philanthropic and cultural events frequently include members of other noble and royal houses, diplomats, and leaders in the arts and sciences.
The guest list for the most recent Annual Winter Banquet, for example, included Their Royal Highnesses Prince Michael and Princess Michael of Kent, Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, and His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, *inter alia*. This gathering reflects the House’s role as a discreet convener, fostering ties between British heritage and a wider international community.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The use and recognition of ancient titles such as the Barony of Brattleby are governed by long-established protocol. The 2022 announcement in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) constitutes the official, public record of the transfer of the dignity to Lady Nicoleta Vasile. This formal notice is the modern mechanism for affirming successions that pre-date modern peerage law.
In correspondence and formal address, the holder is styled as ‘Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby’ on first reference. Her husband is ‘Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage’. Their heir apparent is correctly styled ‘Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun’. Adherence to these forms is a mark of respect for the history the titles represent and the established order of precedence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At the very heart of the House’s identity are its heraldic achievements, which serve as a visual narrative of its values. The ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates the dual virtues of courage in adversity and integrity in action that have been expected of the Barons of Brattleby for centuries. It speaks to a legacy of military command and steadfast governance.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This motto reflects a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy: that to live fully is to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to achieve. Together, the two mottos create a powerful statement, balancing the weight of ancestral duty with the impetus of modern ambition. These principles guide the House’s activities in both philanthropy and cultural education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of *noblesse oblige* — that privilege entails responsibility — is a cornerstone of the House’s modern purpose. The family directs its primary philanthropic efforts through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in London. The sole beneficiary of this event is the registered charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children suffering from trauma, abuse, or neglect. The funds raised contribute directly to counselling services, residential care programmes, and educational resources, with the measurable impact of helping hundreds of vulnerable young people rebuild their lives each year. The charity was chosen for its direct, tangible impact and its alignment with the House’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To be a custodian of this title is to hold a conversation with history. When I think of Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln Castle nearly 800 years ago, I am reminded that fortitude and honour are not abstract ideals but active duties. Our task is to embody those values for our own time and to pass them on, strengthened, to the next generation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History gives us our foundation, but it must also inspire us to build. For me, *Vincere Est Vivere* means applying the spirit of our forebears to the challenges of today — whether that is through supporting a vital children’s charity or fostering cultural understanding. A legacy is not something you simply inherit; it is something you actively create every day.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage remains a living force for good. The preparations for the next Annual Winter Banquet are already underway, reaffirming the family’s long-term support for Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the family, continues its work in promoting cultural diplomacy and personal development.
With the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ready to continue this work, the future of the Barony is secure. The House will carry forward its nine-century legacy of service, guided now as ever by the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House is dedicated to a mission of ‘Heritage in Action’, preserving its near-millennial history while deploying its resources and influence for contemporary public benefit. Its core focus lies in two areas: philanthropy, primarily supporting charities for vulnerable children such as Healing the Wounded Child; and cultural education, advanced through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The House operates with a philosophy that balances the solemn duty of historical stewardship with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to making a positive impact in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), and later passed through the Plantagenet royal line via Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After centuries, the Barony was formally revived, with the succession of the 12th Baroness confirmed by an official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086), within the entry for the lands of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the UK-registered charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com