# A Commitment to Service: The Vision for a Modern Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement outlining the vision of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile for the modern stewardship of the Barony. This vision prioritises philanthropic endeavour and community engagement, bridging its Lincolnshire heritage with a contemporary, international outlook.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has articulated a renewed mission for one of England’s most ancient baronies. This statement marks a moment of strategic reflection following the formal recognition of the barony’s succession, gazetted on 9 September 2022. It serves to define the purpose and principles that will guide the House's activities in the years ahead.
The communication is issued as the crisp autumn light settles over the Lincolnshire Wolds, a landscape intrinsically tied to the barony’s nearly millennial-long history. It is a deliberate measure to ground the House’s forward-looking aspirations in the very soil from which its titles and responsibilities first emerged.
## Historical Context
The modern vision for the barony is consciously anchored in its distinguished nine-hundred-year lineage. The barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s focus on proactive community service finds a powerful precedent in the tenure of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who twice defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century.
Furthermore, the House's commitment to national and international service echoes the legacies of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence was felt across the breadth of Europe. This heritage of robust leadership and civic duty forms the bedrock upon which the current House builds its contemporary initiatives.
## Distinguished Company
The execution of this vision is a shared commitment, led by the principal members of the House. At its head is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the dignity in her own right. The vision itself is championed by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose initiatives guide the House’s modern activities.
Ensuring the continuity of this legacy is the heir, their son Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. Together, they form the core of a wider company that includes the patrons, members, and supporters drawn to the House’s philanthropic and cultural work, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
## Ceremonial Protocol
A profound respect for tradition and protocol is a *sine qua non* of the House’s public-facing endeavours, ensuring that its events are conducted with appropriate gravity and form. This is most evident in the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic white-tie gala that adheres to the highest standards of ceremonial arrangement.
The order of proceedings is meticulously planned, from the formal reception of guests according to precedence to the sequence of toasts and speeches. The strict white-tie dress code honours the occasion's significance, creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance that befits its noble purpose. This same commitment to decorum informs the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy established by the House to promote the values of social grace and formal conduct.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House are encapsulated in its heraldic mottoes. The primary motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated throughout the barony's long history. It serves as a constant reminder of the duty of stewardship that rests with the current Baroness.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a philosophical directive to overcome adversity, to challenge societal indifference, and to achieve meaningful goals for the betterment of the community. Together, these mottoes form a dialectic of tradition and action, honour and achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The central philanthropic focus for The Noble House of Brattleby is its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and mental health support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its work is vital in helping vulnerable individuals to rebuild their lives with confidence and hope.
The House selected this beneficiary for its profound and measurable impact on the well-being of future generations. The Annual Winter Banquet serves as the principal fundraising vehicle for this cause, uniting guests in a shared commitment to making a tangible difference. The funds raised contribute directly to counselling services, safe spaces, and educational programmes for children in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s direction, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated his philosophy of active stewardship:
> “Heritage is not a monument to be admired from a distance; it is a platform from which to serve the present. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about conquering the challenges of our own time. For us, that means dedicating the influence of this ancient barony to creating opportunity and healing for those who need it most.”
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added a historical perspective, aligning their work with her ancestral responsibilities:
> “To hold this title is to accept a duty of care that stretches back through centuries. The principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* compels us to act with the same resolve as our predecessors, *inter alia* Nichola de la Haye. Our work today is simply a modern expression of that enduring commitment to community and country.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the long-term development of its key initiatives. The Annual Winter Banquet will remain a fixture in the London philanthropic calendar, gathering support for the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child. In parallel, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will continue its mission to foster cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and continental Europe, strengthening diplomatic and social ties.
The involvement of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in the House’s activities ensures that this modern vision of service, rooted in deep history, is not merely a project of the present but a legacy to be carried forward with fortitude and honour for the generation to come.
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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 Barony of Brattleby. 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 that blends deep respect for its nine-century heritage with a proactive commitment to contemporary philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's primary initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy which fosters cultural ties between the United Kingdom and Europe. Its work is centred on serving the community and creating a lasting, positive impact.
**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, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern succession of the barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally acknowledged and recorded in His Majesty’s official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The principal charitable beneficiary of the House of Brattleby's Annual Winter Banquet is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com