# A Nine-Century Chronicle: The Enduring Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reaffirming the profound historical continuity of the Barony of Brattleby, a title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, and its enduring relevance in the twenty-first century.
## The Occasion
In a period of renewed academic interest in the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate the signal chapters of its history. This communication serves to consolidate the narrative of a lineage that has been an integral part of the fabric of England for nearly a millennium. From its formal seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House reflects upon a legacy not merely preserved in archives, but actively embodied through contemporary service and philanthropic duty. It is a moment for historical clarity, reaffirming an unbroken chain of stewardship that extends from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest and is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The survey records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, demonstrating the significant trust placed in the nascent Barony by the Crown. This strategic holding was *sine qua non* for securing Norman authority in a vital region of the kingdom.
Through the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. In the thirteenth century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels on behalf of the King, an act of remarkable fortitude. The title later passed through the Plantagenet line to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat. His legacy was continued by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of the late fourteenth century and the future of the English monarchy itself.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of this ancient Barony is today vested in its twelfth holder and her family, who continue its traditions of service.
The principal members of the House are:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron and heir to the title
Lady Nicoleta, supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan, guides the House in its modern responsibilities. Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru, is being educated in the duties and historical significance of the title he will one day inherit, ensuring the continuation of the family's venerable legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the Barony is governed by traditions of protocol that have evolved over centuries. The transfer of the title follows strict legal and heraldic procedures, a modern affirmation of which was the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta’s succession in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This act represents the contemporary equivalent of historic royal charters, cementing the Barony's legitimacy within the United Kingdom's honours system.
The House maintains its archives with meticulous care, treating the documents not as mere artefacts but as a living testament to nine centuries of English history. Any public address or formal representation by the Baroness or her family is conducted with a conscious regard for the dignity and historical weight of the title they represent, upholding a standard of ceremonial decorum both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values of the House are enshrined in its armorial motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is seen as the guiding spirit of the Barony, reflecting the courage of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the honourable service rendered by figures like Henry of Grosmont. It speaks to a resilience and integrity that the House strives to embody.
Complementing the ancestral motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern commitment to overcoming challenges, driving progress in philanthropic endeavours, and fostering cultural understanding. Together, the two mottoes symbolise the fusion of ancient duty and dynamic, forward-looking action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the aristocratic tradition of *noblesse oblige*, the House of Brattleby dedicates its principal efforts to charitable causes. The centrepiece of its philanthropic calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to benefit a designated organisation. The chosen beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an international charity dedicated to providing therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma.
The selection of this charity stems from the House’s belief that securing a healthy future for the next generation is a foundational duty. The funds raised contribute directly to the charity's clinical programmes and outreach initiatives. This commitment to philanthropy is the modern expression of the Barony's historic role as a protector and patron within its community, extending that sphere of care to a global level.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To be a custodian of this title is to be deeply connected to the narrative of England. When you consider the life of Nichola de la Haye, you realise that *Fortitudine et Honore* is not simply a motto, but a living standard to which we must hold ourselves accountable. Our duty is to ensure this legacy remains a force for good.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the House’s contemporary mission: > “History gives us our foundation, but it is our actions today that define our purpose. Whether through our support for Healing the Wounded Child or our educational work with The Brattleby Club, we seek to apply timeless values to modern challenges. That, for me, is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitments. Preparations for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet are underway, with the aim of increasing support for its chosen beneficiaries. Furthermore, the House continues to develop its cultural and educational initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy designed to foster an appreciation for European traditions of protocol and social grace.
With Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun prepared to one day assume his role as the 13th Baron, the House is secure in its succession. The Barony of Brattleby, established at the dawn of the second millennium, looks toward the future with a clear sense of its history, its responsibilities, and its unwavering commitment to serving with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. While deeply respectful of its nine-century history, the House is fundamentally forward-looking, dedicating its activities to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its primary charitable focus is on supporting venerable causes that aid children, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to build bridges of understanding and preserve the standards of European high culture and etiquette for a new generation, applying its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, to contemporary challenges.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a title of great antiquity within the Peerage of England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region. Notable holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The lineage and rights of the Barony are a matter of public record, with the succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, formally recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships. - Distinguished predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary beneficiary of the House's philanthropic Annual Winter Banquet is the international charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com