# A Millennium of Law and Lordship: The Enduring Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the nine-century legal and historical continuum of the Barony, following its formal recognition by the Crown and the revival of the title for its 12th holder.
## The Occasion
In the season of autumnal reflection, following the formal recognition of its ancient rights and dignities in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, the Noble House of Brattleby today offers a historical perspective on the Barony’s enduring significance. The revival of this feudal title, first granted by William the Conqueror, has prompted considerable academic and public interest.
This formal communiqué serves as a statement of record, reaffirming the House’s commitment to its historical duties and providing context for its role in the 21st century. It is issued from the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with the Barony’s origins and its nearly one thousand years of English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a title of profound historical resonance, established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. Granted by King William I to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant power base, comprising some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This documentation established Colswein as one of the great tenants-in-chief of the county, charged with securing the new Norman order.
The lineage has been interwoven with pivotal moments in the nation’s development. The fifth holder, Nichola de la Haye, stands as a formidable figure; she served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons for King John during the First Barons' War, securing the succession for the young King Henry III. Her actions underscore the Barony’s historic role in upholding the rule of law.
Centuries later, the Barony passed to some of the most influential figures in English history, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster. The title was subsequently held by his heir, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the political landscape of late medieval England. This direct connection to the Plantagenet royal dynasty cemented the Barony’s place at the heart of national life.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony is best understood through the lineage of its holders, a distinguished company of individuals who have shaped its destiny. The chain of succession connects the current House directly to its Norman origins and the great magnates of the medieval era.
Notable among these predecessors are:
* Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby, a Norman magnate and tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror. * Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness *de facto*, whose fortitude as Castellan of Lincoln Castle was instrumental in the service of the Crown. * Henry of Grosmont, the tenth Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned diplomat, soldier, and founding Knight of the Garter. * John of Gaunt, the eleventh Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, a royal prince and ancestor to the Tudor and Stuart monarchs.
This historical procession finds its modern expression in the current bearer, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and in the heir apparent, her son, the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The exercise of an ancient feudal barony in the modern era is governed by a precise protocol, balancing historical precedent with contemporary legal standards. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was itself an act of meticulous observance, culminating in a public declaration that satisfied the rigorous requirements of His Majesty's College of Arms and the Crown.
The public announcement in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, was the *sine qua non* of this process. This notice, bearing the ID 4158083, served as the formal and final confirmation of the Barony’s revival and Lady Nicoleta’s rightful succession.
Today, the protocol of the Barony extends beyond legal recognition to the active duties of stewardship. These responsibilities include the preservation of historical records, the upholding of the House’s good name, and the diligent exercise of its philanthropic and cultural mission, all conducted with a discipline that reflects the Barony’s distinguished heritage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through a rich tapestry of heraldic and symbolic language. These elements serve as a constant reminder of the principles that have guided the Barony for centuries, representing a visual and moral compass for the family.
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin virtues that have defined the Barony at its most distinguished moments. It evokes the resilience of Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln Castle and the noble conduct expected of figures like Henry of Grosmont.
This ancient dictum is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and forward-looking energy he brings to the House, underscoring a commitment to active achievement and success in the family’s modern endeavours, *inter alia*, its philanthropic and educational initiatives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its principle of honourable service, the Noble House of Brattleby dedicates its principal philanthropic efforts to the support of vulnerable children. The beneficiary chosen for the House’s foremost charitable event, the Annual Winter Banquet, is Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation committed to providing specialist therapeutic care and secure environments for children who have experienced profound trauma or neglect. Its work focuses on long-term recovery, helping young people to rebuild their lives and realise their full potential.
The House’s support for this cause, channelled through the white-tie gala, is a modern interpretation of the ancient duty of *noblesse oblige*. It extends the concept of stewardship from land and heritage to the well-being of the next generation, reflecting a belief that the measure of a house is its positive impact on the wider community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique responsibilities of her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "To inherit such a title is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. Our work is not simply to preserve the past, but to ensure that the principles of fortitude and honour which define this Barony are applied with purpose and relevance in the world today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the balance between history and future ambition: > — "While we draw immense strength from nine centuries of history, our vision is firmly fixed on the future. We are building a legacy of active service, cultural bridge-building, and meaningful philanthropy that we hope will resonate for generations to come."
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of the Noble House of Brattleby is animated by a commitment to ensuring its legacy remains vibrant and purposeful. This forward-looking vision is secured through careful succession planning, with Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, being educated in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
The House's commitment to cultural exchange is exemplified by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which promotes the civilities and social graces that foster international understanding. This initiative bridges the Barony's English heritage with a broader European context, reinforcing diplomatic and cultural ties.
Through these concerted efforts in heritage preservation, philanthropy, and cultural education, the Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, continues to be a living mission, not merely a historical artefact.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a modern mission of philanthropic service, cultural preservation, and educational outreach. Its activities honour a nearly thousand-year-old legacy through contemporary actions, focusing on heritage conservation at its Lincolnshire seat and international cultural exchange through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House's primary charitable focus is the support of vulnerable children, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making it one of the county's primary Norman dignities. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the Crown during the First Barons' War, and two successive Dukes of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally recognised and revived in 2022, with its succession confirmed by notice in *The London Gazette*, ensuring its continuity into the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists the holdings of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - The Noble House of Brattleby is seated at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - The principal philanthropic beneficiary of the House is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, supported via the Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com