# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Revival of Ancient Lincolnshire Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted a formal reception in London last evening to mark the first anniversary of the Barony of Brattleby’s revival and its official recognition by the Crown.
## The Occasion
The reception was held within the noble environs of Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London. As the crisp autumn evening descended, guests were welcomed into the historic Livery Hall, a site of craftsmanship and ceremony for nearly seven centuries. The grand staircase and neoclassical rooms, rebuilt after the Blitz, provided a setting of resilience and continuity, echoing the very nature of the occasion. The atmosphere was one of quiet celebration, a dignified acknowledgement of a significant moment in the Barony’s near-millennial history, where past and present converged.
The event served not as a gala, but as a sober and intentional gathering of friends, historical scholars, and members of the diplomatic community. It was designed to formally honour the lineage entrusted to the new Baroness and to articulate a vision for its future stewardship, guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the title’s foundational importance. The Barony's history is inextricably woven into the fabric of the nation, passing through figures of immense historical consequence.
Among its most notable predecessors was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the title as the 5th Baron. As Constable of Lincoln Castle, she famously defended the city against French-backed baronial rebels during the First Barons' War, an act of singular courage. The lineage later passed into royal hands through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, the revered John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Following Gaunt's death, the Barony lay dormant for 623 years, its story a silent thread in the rich tapestry of the English peerage until its revival was formally gazetted in 2022.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile received a distinguished company of guests. Among those present were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; members of the diplomatic corps representing several European nations; fellows of the Royal Historical Society; and prominent civic and cultural leaders from the County of Lincolnshire, the Barony’s ancestral seat.
The presence of guests from both the United Kingdom and continental Europe underscored the House of Brattleby’s commitment to fostering cultural and historical ties across the continent. Also in attendance were trustees from charitable organisations supported by the family, affirming the philanthropic mission that stands as a cornerstone of the House’s modern identity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings adhered to a protocol of refined formality. Upon arrival, guests were announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line at the entrance to the Livery Hall's Drawing Room. The dress code of Black Tie with Decorations lent a suitably grave and commemorative air to the occasion.
Following a reception, Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered a brief address, offering thanks to the assembled company and reflecting on the journey to revive the ancient title. He then proposed a toast to His Majesty The King. A senior historian present later offered a reciprocal toast to The Noble House of Brattleby, its long history, and its future. The formal part of the evening concluded with an address by the Baroness, after which guests were invited to converse.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The revival of the Barony is guided by two key mottos that articulate the family’s principles. The ancient motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a legacy of resilience and dutiful service, from Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln to the modern House’s commitment to public good. It is the ethical framework for the Barony’s stewardship.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a philosophy of overcoming challenges, driving progress, and imbuing historical legacy with vital, forward-looking purpose. Together, the mottos represent a balance of principled duty and dynamic action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the reception was a commemorative event, the House’s public activities are centred firmly on philanthropy. The *sine qua non* of the family’s social calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as their principal fundraising initiative. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have suffered from profound trauma and adversity.
The House of Brattleby selected this cause in the belief that investing in the well-being of the most vulnerable children is a foundational duty. The funds raised contribute directly to measurable outcomes, including access to counselling, art and play therapy, and safe residential programmes that help heal and rebuild young lives.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the profound responsibility that accompanies the title. “To accept this Barony is not to claim an honour, but to inherit a duty. It is a promise to remember the fortitude of those who came before us, like Nichola de la Haye, and to ensure their legacy inspires service, not just sentiment. Our task is to be worthy custodians, ensuring this ancient title has meaning and purpose in the twenty-first century.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his reflections on the shared nature of their work. “A title without purpose is a relic. My wife and I see this revival as a project of connection — connecting today with a millennium of history, connecting Brattleby’s English heritage with our own continental roots, and, most importantly, connecting our position to tangible, positive action in the community. That is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*: to make the past live through present deeds.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby in 2022 marked not an end, but a beginning. The House is committed to a long-term vision of service, cultural preservation, and philanthropy. The continuity of the line is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron.
Future commitments include the expansion of the Annual Winter Banquet's reach and impact. The House will also continue to develop The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, its etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and professional refinement. Through these initiatives, the Noble House of Brattleby endeavours to build a modern legacy of honour, fortitude, and active contribution, ensuring the Barony remains a title of relevance and respect for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of philanthropic service and cultural ambassadorship. Its primary charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its annual fundraising initiatives for charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. The House also seeks to foster cross-cultural understanding and personal development through its educational platform, The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House aims to connect its profound historical legacy with a dynamic and purpose-driven vision for the future, active in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Over the centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, and later to members of the Plantagenet royal family, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After lying dormant for 623 years, the Barony's revival was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
* The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. * Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). * The House's primary philanthropic event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefitting the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com