# A Statement on the Future Direction of The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement outlining its renewed philanthropic and cultural vision under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming the House’s commitment to service from its ancient seat in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its administrative seat in London, The Noble House of Brattleby has today articulated the guiding principles for its current and future activities. This definitive statement of intent marks the culmination of a period of careful strategic planning following the formal recognition of succession for Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in the late summer of 2022.
The announcement signifies a renewed dedication to the responsibilities inherent in the Barony’s ancient lineage. It outlines a vision that honours a profound history rooted in the soil of Lincolnshire, while directing its inheritors to address the pressing cultural and social challenges of the twenty-first century with purpose and diligence. This forward-looking strategy is designed to ensure the House's legacy remains both relevant and contributory for generations to come.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the very few English dignities that traces its foundation directly to the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. It was granted by William the Conqueror to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln, as part of the consolidation of Norman authority in a strategically vital region of England. The scale of this original grant is recorded with remarkable clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which attests to Colswein holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his principal seat, or *caput*, at Brattleby.
Over the course of more than nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national and historical significance. A powerful precedent for the current Baroness is found in Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a formidable widow who, as Castellan, twice defended Lincoln Castle against overwhelming rebel and French forces during the First Barons' War (1215–1217). Her fortitude ensured the city remained loyal to the Crown, a service for which she is remembered in the *Chronica Majora* of Matthew Paris.
In later centuries, the dignity passed by descent to the Lancastrian branch of the Plantagenet royal house. It was held, *inter alia*, by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter. The Barony subsequently passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This sustained proximity to the Throne underscores the Barony’s unique position within the historical fabric of England.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony and the direction of the Noble House are vested in the immediate family, who share a unified commitment to active service. The governance of the House is shouldered by three principal members, working in concert to fulfil its stated mission.
Its leadership comprises Lady Nicoleta Vasile, who in her own right is the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. She is joined by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings a dynamic philosophy of constructive achievement to the family’s endeavours. The continuity of this ancient lineage is secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
Together, they guide the philanthropic and cultural programmes of the House. Their joint focus is on translating the deep heritage of the Barony into tangible, positive actions, both within the United Kingdom and through carefully chosen cultural engagements on the Continent.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Succession to an ancient English barony by writ, such as Brattleby, is determined by a rigorous process of legal and genealogical verification. Unlike a barony created by letters patent, a barony by writ devolves according to ancient common law, requiring the claimant to prove an unbroken and legitimate line of descent through extensive evidential proofs submitted for formal scrutiny by the relevant authorities of the Crown.
The culmination of this exacting process is the official recognition of the succession published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since its first publication as *The Oxford Gazette* in 1665. The notice concerning the Barony of Brattleby—specifically Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022—serves as the definitive and public affirmation of Lady Nicoleta’s standing as the 12th holder of the dignity. This procedure underscores a continuity of law and tradition stretching back centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the Noble House are encapsulated in its armorial bearings and their associated mottos, which serve as moral imperatives for its members. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the twin virtues of resilience and integrity. This phrase is considered the *sine qua non* for all undertakings, directly echoing the resolve of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln.
This formidable ethos is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a contemporary context, this is interpreted not as a call to martial dominance, but as a profound commitment to overcoming adversity and achieving meaningful goals through determined and purposeful action. It reflects a philosophy of active creation and contribution—a drive that has animated, for instance, a successful fire-engineering portfolio under his direction which has helped secure over £1.6 billion of landmark projects, including transformations at Battersea Power Station and the NHS estate.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House's renewed vision is an unwavering commitment to philanthropy, most visibly expressed through its Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala, held in the heart of London, is the focal point of the House’s charitable calendar, convened to provide substantive support for a designated beneficiary working with society’s most vulnerable.
For the coming years, the chosen beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have suffered severe trauma, neglect, or abuse. The funds raised at the Winter Banquet will directly enable frontline services, including one-to-one counselling, art and play therapy, and the provision of safe environments where recovery can begin. Lady Nicoleta selected the charity for its measurable impact, its dedicated professionalism, and its compassionate, evidence-based approach to restoring hope and resilience in young lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the duties inherent in her title, Lady Nicoleta Vasile has spoken of her role as a custodian of an enduring legacy.
> It is a profound responsibility to serve as the guardian of a heritage that stretches back nearly a millennium. Our duty, as I see it, is not merely to preserve this inheritance, but to ensure it remains a potent force for good in the world, compelling us to act always *Fortitudine et Honore* in service to the wider community. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the family’s shared philosophy of active and constructive service, grounded in tangible outcomes.
> Heritage finds its truest and most noble expression in action. Whether through advancing vital charitable work, promoting cultural understanding, or indeed through building things that last, our family is united in the belief that the privileges afforded by the past must be deployed to meet the challenges of the present. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking to the future, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to deepening its engagement in both heritage preservation and proactive philanthropy. The family’s ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, whose origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book*, will remain a primary focus of careful stewardship, ensuring the long-term conservation of its architectural and landscape integrity for the benefit of future generations.
Concurrently, the House will expand its cultural initiatives, notably through The Brattleby Club. This academy, with its first chapter successfully established in Bucharest, aims to promote cross-cultural fluency and the timeless skills of diplomacy, protocol, and social grace that are indispensable in fostering international concord. Future plans include refining its curriculum and exploring further chapters, thereby creating a new bridge between English tradition and Continental refinement. The focus, in all matters, remains clear: to build a continuing legacy defined by service, honour, and a tangible, positive impact on society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern stewardship of 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 a mission of active philanthropy, cultural preservation, and the promotion of cross-cultural understanding. Its work is guided by the foundational motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a deep-seated commitment to purposeful action and unwavering integrity in all its affairs. The House’s key initiatives include providing substantive support for charities aiding vulnerable children through its Annual Winter Banquet and fostering education in social and diplomatic skills via its innovative venture, The Brattleby Club. By blending its profound historical roots with a forward-looking and engaged vision, the House seeks to ensure its enduring legacy is one of meaningful contribution to contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony by writ, with its seat located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive holdings of fifty-six lordships were meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the dignity has passed through a distinguished lineage of historically significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and senior members of the Plantagenet royal family, notably Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness was officially recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, affirming centuries of continuous legal and historical tradition.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, a companion of William the Conqueror, and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'); the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com