# The Noble House of Brattleby Affirms A Nine-Century Legacy Through Rigorous Historical Verification
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today shared an insight into the meticulous genealogical and historical scholarship that reaffirmed its ancient lineage, a comprehensive process which culminated in the formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby by Her Majesty's Government in 2022.
## The Occasion
From the family’s historical seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to reflect upon the scholarly rigour required to secure the continuation of one of England’s oldest baronies. This statement serves to illuminate the quiet, painstaking work undertaken in archives and muniment rooms, a process far removed from public ceremony yet a *sine qua non* for the preservation of heritable dignity.
The research, conducted over several years, was a profound exercise in historical verification. It brought together primary source documents, palaeographic analysis, and heraldic expertise to reconstruct a lineage stretching back nearly a millennium. This undertaking not only satisfied the exacting standards of the Crown but also serves as a case study in responsible historical stewardship for ancient families in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a fact substantiated by its entry in the Domesday Book of 1086. The first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in post-Conquest England.
Through the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony has passed through families of national and royal significance. Its holders have borne witness to, and participated in, the defining chapters of British history. Notable among them was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a formidable woman who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in the 13th century.
Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated commander in the Hundred Years' War. His legacy was continued by his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose own son would become King Henry IV. This direct link to the Plantagenet and Lancastrian royal houses underscores the Barony’s historical prominence. The verification process successfully bridged these historical personages to the present day.
## Distinguished Company
The comprehensive review of the Brattleby lineage was not conducted in isolation. It required the scholarly assent and validation of some of the United Kingdom's most respected authorities on genealogy, law, and heraldry.
The process engaged, *inter alia*, senior heraldists from The College of Arms in London, whose expertise in medieval pedigrees is unparalleled. Their work was complemented by independent medieval historians specialising in feudal law and land tenure, ensuring that every link in the genealogical chain was supported by unimpeachable documentary evidence. The final submission was reviewed by legal counsel and officers of the Crown before its formal acceptance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern process for recognising an ancient peerage is a meticulous legal and historical undertaking. It begins with the collation of primary source documents, such as charters, property deeds, and records from the National Archives, forming a continuous chain of succession.
This body of evidence is compiled into a formal case, which is then submitted for scrutiny. The objective is to prove, beyond any doubt, the petitioner’s rightful claim by descent. The Barony of Brattleby’s claim culminated in official notice being published in The London Gazette, the Crown’s journal of record since 1665.
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 served as the final, formal act of recognition. This modern protocol is the direct successor to the historic ‘Visitations’ undertaken by heralds in centuries past to record and regulate the arms and pedigrees of the nobility.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is embodied in its distinctive symbols and mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the defining qualities of its most distinguished holders. It reflects the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln Castle and the honour with which Henry of Grosmont served the Crown.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as a commitment to overcoming challenges, to innovating, and to striving for excellence in all fields of endeavour. These mottos together represent the family's fusion of ancient duty and modern dynamism.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The same commitment to duty and excellence that defined the historical verification process is also the guiding principle for the House’s philanthropic work. The family’s principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist care and therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma.
The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala hosted by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, is the primary fundraising vehicle for this cause. The choice of beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the House's belief that the most profound duty of any generation is to secure the health and well-being of the next. Last year’s event raised significant funds to expand the charity's outreach programmes.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the culmination of the recognition process, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “This was never an exercise in personal aggrandisement; it was about honouring a nine-hundred-year-old compact of service. The process confirmed not just a title, but a solemn responsibility we owe to our predecessors and, more importantly, to future generations.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The past is the foundation upon which we build the future. My wife’s dedication to ensuring this historical record is unimpeachable reflects the very essence of *Fortitudine et Honore*. It is this same integrity we now apply to all our modern endeavours, from philanthropy to cultural diplomacy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the lineage formally affirmed, the House of Brattleby is focused on the future. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being educated to understand the profound responsibilities he will one day inherit as the 13th Baron.
The family is also embarking on a significant project to catalogue and digitise its extensive private archives, with the aim of making key historical documents accessible to scholars and ensuring their preservation. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family, continues its work of promoting cultural exchange and the timeless values of decorum and mutual respect on an international stage.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment 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 the principle of 'Tradition in Service'. Its mission blends the stewardship of nearly one thousand years of English heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House’s charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through the work of its beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to champion the enduring values of honour, integrity, and social grace in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through several notable lines, including those of Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated medieval heroine, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. It stands as a rare example of a Norman-era lordship with a well-documented history connecting it to the present day. The contemporary succession of the Barony was formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), affirming its unbroken continuity.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, defender of Lincoln Castle) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com