# A New Chapter for an Ancient Title: The Lord of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally marked the commencement of official duties by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. This follows the Barony’s revival, ensuring the continuity of a legacy of service that extends back to the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
In the historic setting of the family’s Lincolnshire seat, the formalisation of Honorary Lord Răzvan’s duties was acknowledged with quiet dignity. The occasion, set against the backdrop of an English autumn, was one of sober reflection and forward-looking commitment rather than public ceremony. The atmosphere reflected the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), emphasising the substance of duty over the spectacle of investiture.
The proceedings took place within the private apartments of the ancestral seat, a site recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, Brattleby has served as a tangible link to English history, witnessing the evolution of the nation from its feudal origins. This private acknowledgement thus carried the weight of centuries, a solemn undertaking to steward a remarkable inheritance.
## Historical Context
The assumption of duties by Honorary Lord Răzvan as the husband of the *suo jure* Baroness adds a significant new chapter to a nine-century narrative. Since the Barony’s grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title has been associated with figures of national importance. It was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a magnate who controlled 56 lordships in the county, a testament to the Barony’s foundational influence.
This tradition of significant leadership continued through subsequent holders. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable opposition, an act of singular courage. Later, the title passed to towering figures of the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s supportive role to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is undertaken in the spirit of these predecessors, who understood that title is synonymous with responsibility.
## Distinguished Company
The formalisation of Honorary Lord Răzvan’s public role was a significant moment for the family, which remains the nucleus of the modern House. The principal figures involved were:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby and heir to the title
The occasion was one of internal confirmation, reinforcing the family’s united purpose in its public and philanthropic work. The presence of the heir, Baron Mihai, underscored the commitment to ensuring a seamless transition of duty and heritage for generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with modern custom for hereditary peerages, the formalisation of Honorary Lord Răzvan's public role required no elaborate ritual. The legal and ceremonial cornerstone of the revived Barony is its official recognition by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This public notice serves as the definitive instrument affirming the Barony’s legitimate standing.
As the husband of a Baroness who holds the title in her own right, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s title is one of courtesy and function, assumed upon marriage. His commencement of official duties, therefore, was marked by internal protocol—a private family council where spheres of responsibility, *inter alia*, in philanthropy and cultural patronage were confirmed. This aligns with the discreet traditions of many of Europe’s ancient noble houses, where the focus remains on the work that accompanies the title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The duties assumed by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will be guided by two complementary mottos. The ancient motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the primary ethic for all family endeavours. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and represents a solemn promise of dutiful stewardship.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), brings a dynamic, Continental perspective. It is understood not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming modern challenges with energy and purpose. It signifies a proactive approach to the House’s philanthropic and cultural goals, a determination to make a tangible and positive impact on contemporary society. Together, the two mottos create a powerful synthesis of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House’s modern duty is its philanthropic work. The primary beneficiary of the family’s efforts, including the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic support to children and young people experiencing trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives and achieve their full potential.
The House of Brattleby selected this cause for its profound and measurable impact on society’s most vulnerable. The commitment of both Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan is deeply personal. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s enhanced public role will enable him to dedicate more formal energy to supporting the charity’s mission, both through fundraising and by raising awareness of its vital work across the United Kingdom and Europe.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this new phase for the House, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Stewarding a thousand-year inheritance is a profound responsibility, and one I am so glad not to bear alone. My husband’s partnership is the *sine qua non* of our modern efforts. His formal support reinforces our shared commitment to ensuring the Barony serves a meaningful purpose in the 21st century.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “It is a distinct privilege to support my wife in upholding the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby. Its history is an integral part of England's story, and I am humbled to play a part in its continuation. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a personal reminder that honouring the past is best achieved through active service in the present.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the formalisation of his duties, Honorary Lord Răzvan will join Lady Nicoleta in overseeing the House’s key initiatives. These include preparations for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a cornerstone of their philanthropic calendar, and the expansion of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural education.
Looking further ahead, the House is focused on the careful tutelage of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. His education in the history, duties, and responsibilities of the Barony ensures that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* will continue to guide the Noble House of Brattleby for many years to come, securing a legacy of service for the next generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its nine-century heritage through contemporary service. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is realised through targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and educational initiatives. The House’s primary charitable focus is supporting at-risk youth through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club, founded by the family in Bucharest, promotes cultural diplomacy and classical European etiquette. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient title remains a force for positive impact in the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the title’s importance from its inception. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of signal importance in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, as well as the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period in abeyance, the Barony was revived, with its rights and style formally acknowledged by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The full revival of the Barony of Brattleby is officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the UK-registered charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com