# A Legacy Renewed: The Noble House of Brattleby and its Nine-Century Lineage
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon the historical significance and continuing duties of the Barony of Brattleby, following the formal recognition of its revival after a dormancy of more than six hundred years.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the historic county of Lincolnshire, a landscape shaped by centuries of English history, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen the autumn season to articulate its foundational principles. This moment of reflection serves to formally connect the Barony’s Norman origins with its modern responsibilities, providing a definitive account of its stewardship for the public record.
The statement is issued not to mark a single event, but rather to affirm the enduring continuum of service that defines the Barony. It is a deliberate act of historical clarification, intended to illuminate the journey from its creation in the 11th century to its present-day mission under the 12th Baroness.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This places the Barony among the most ancient feudal dignities in the kingdom, its lineage woven directly into the fabric of the nation’s founding.
Over the ensuing centuries, its holders were central to the great affairs of state. The 5th Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the reign of King John. Later, the title passed into royal hands through the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to the 11th Baron, his son-in-law John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and father to a royal dynasty.
Following the accession of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV, the Barony fell into a long abeyance, its rights and history held in suspension for over six centuries. The formal recognition of its revival in 2022 marks a historical restitution of profound significance.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is conducted by its current principals, who have overseen its revival and re-established its purpose.
The title is held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The heir presumptive is their kinsman, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
Together, they represent the modern embodiment of the House’s ancient commitment to duty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a barony in abeyance is a matter of considerable legal and ceremonial gravity, subject to the authority of the Crown. The process involves extensive genealogical and historical research to prove an unbroken line of descent, followed by a formal petition.
The successful outcome of this petition was concluded by the official announcement published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom. Notice ID 4158083, gazetted on 9 September 2022, serves as the definitive legal instrument formally recognising Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness. This notice is the *sine qua non* of the revival, transforming a historical claim into a recognised dignity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which serve as a constant reminder of its guiding principles.
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It encapsulates a philosophy of enduring challenges with courage while holding steadfastly to one's principles.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This motto reflects a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the House’s duties, signifying that true victory lies in the successful advancement of community, culture, and charitable enterprise.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The modern House of Brattleby has dedicated itself to applying its historic legacy to contemporary challenges, with a particular focus on culture and welfare. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the centrepiece of its charitable calendar, with all proceeds benefiting Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma.
Further afield, the House has established The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This cultural initiative, conceived as an etiquette and protocol academy, seeks to foster social and professional excellence. It represents the House's belief that honour and courtesy remain vital components of a thriving civil society, *inter alia*.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the role of the modern House, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > We do not see ourselves as owners of this legacy, but rather as its temporary custodians. Our primary duty is one of stewardship — to honour what came before us, and to ensure this remarkable history inspires positive action today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > The principles of duty and strategic foresight that guided the first barons in the 11th century are remarkably applicable to the challenges of the 21st. *Vincere Est Vivere* means channelling that same energy not into conquest, but into building institutions that serve the common good and uphold the highest standards.
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking forward, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to deepening its philanthropic and cultural engagements. Plans are underway to expand the reach of its charitable initiatives while developing new educational programmes focused on the rich history of Lincolnshire and the Barony itself.
The House will continue its work in preserving and digitising historical records related to the Barony, ensuring that the stories of its nine-hundred-year lineage are accessible to future generations of scholars and the public. This work is a testament to a legacy renewed, one that is firmly rooted in the past but actively engaged in shaping a more honourable future.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that weds historical preservation with contemporary philanthropic purpose. Its work is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House focuses on supporting charitable causes, primarily in child welfare, and promoting cultural education through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club. It seeks to demonstrate how ancient titles can serve as a force for good in the 21st century by championing timeless values of duty, honour, and community service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as controlling 56 lordships. The Barony's history is intertwined with that of England, with notable holders including the 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye and, through marriage, members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After falling into abeyance for over 600 years, the Barony's dignity was formally revived in 2022, with its recognition published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September of that year.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally announced in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*; the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com