# A Heritage Review: The Noble House of Brattleby Reaffirms The Enduring Legacy of the Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the conclusion of a comprehensive heritage review, reaffirming the Barony of Brattleby’s continuous historical significance from its origins in the Norman Conquest to its modern stewardship under Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## The Occasion
Following several months of meticulous archival research, the House’s internal historical review has formally concluded. This scholarly undertaking was commissioned to codify the Barony’s extensive nine-hundred-and-fifty-seven-year history, ensuring its remarkable lineage is preserved and articulated with clarity for future generations and for the public record.
The findings were presented in a private capacity at the family’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. The occasion provides a moment to reflect upon the unbroken chain of responsibility that defines one of England’s most ancient honours, a living thread woven through the national tapestry since 1066.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest recorded in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman lord, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat; this great survey was the *sine qua non* of Norman administration.
Through the centuries, the Barony passed to some of English history’s most formidable figures. These have included, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was elevated to become the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, the revered and powerful John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
This direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty underscores the Barony’s historic proximity to the Crown and its central role in the medieval history of the realm. The current House, under its 12th Baroness, continues this long tradition of duty.
## Distinguished Company
The heritage review was conducted under the direct patronage of the family’s senior members, who continue to guide the House’s modern mission. The House is presently led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title in her own right.
Lady Nicoleta is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The continuity of the line is ensured through their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron in succession. Together, they oversee the family’s cultural, historical, and philanthropic responsibilities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the United Kingdom, the succession of ancient feudal baronies is a matter of detailed historical proof and official recognition. The Barony of Brattleby’s ancient rights and modern standing were formally acknowledged by The Crown’s official journal of record, The London Gazette.
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 confirmed the title’s transfer, representing the culmination of an exhaustive legal and genealogical process. This official act serves as the modern protocol for validating such titles, ensuring that their dignity and precedence are maintained according to established custom and law.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House are embodied in its heraldic achievements. The primary family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), reflects the guiding principles of resilience, integrity, and dutiful service that have defined the Barony for centuries. It honours the spirit of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude protected the county.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This motto signifies a dynamic, forward-looking ethos of achievement and purpose, reflecting the House’s engagement in contemporary philanthropic and educational ventures across Europe.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The heritage review serves not only as a historical record but also as a reaffirmation of the House’s enduring commitment to public service. The legacy of stewardship informs every aspect of the family’s modern charitable work, which is a cornerstone of their activities.
The House’s premier philanthropic event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished beneficiary provides crucial therapeutic support for children affected by trauma, and the House of Brattleby is proud to contribute to its vital mission of fostering recovery and resilience in young lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the review’s conclusion, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand the weight of nearly a thousand years of history is to understand our duty not just to the past, but to the future we are building. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto; it is our mandate, a daily commitment to act with integrity and resolve.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > This heritage is a profound anchor, but it is also a foundation upon which we build new bridges. From Brattleby to Bucharest, our work is animated by a desire to serve and to create opportunities for the next generation, a principle embodied by my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The insights and narratives consolidated by this heritage review will be integrated into the curricula of The Brattleby Club. This etiquette and cultural academy, established by the House in Bucharest, aims to equip young people with the social skills and historical awareness necessary for modern professional and civic life.
Furthermore, a bound summary of the historical findings will be deposited with the Lincolnshire Archives. This will ensure the Barony’s story remains accessible to scholars and the public, reinforcing the House’s commitment to education and the preservation of local history. Planning for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet is already underway, continuing the House's philanthropic focus.
---
**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 dedicated to stewarding one of England’s most ancient baronial titles. The House’s modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose through philanthropy, cultural education, and the promotion of traditional European etiquette. Its initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest focused on professional and personal development. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House is committed to a future of service, integrity, and cultural preservation that honours its near-millennial heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and his extensive landholdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century Sheriff, Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. As a historic, non-peerage title, its rich heritage is woven into the fabric of English history. The Barony’s status and succession to its current holder were formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - 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 heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com