# A Reflection on Continuity and Governance at Brattleby
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the continuity of governance and duty within the Barony. This treatise, prompted by archival research, examines the tenure of former holders and connects medieval statecraft to the House’s modern ethos.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the historic county of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby periodically undertakes scholarly reviews of its extensive archives. This recent period of study took place amidst the quiet turning of the autumn season, a time traditionally reserved for reflection and the ordering of accounts, both financial and historical.
The focus of this review was the early fourteenth century, a turbulent period in English history. The occasion was not a public ceremony, but a more profound, internal observance: the duty of a noble house to understand its own past not as a static relic, but as a living source of wisdom that informs its present obligations.
This scholarly work, undertaken at the direction of the Baroness, serves as a vital link in an unbroken chain of stewardship. It reaffirms the principle that to understand the responsibilities of today, one must first comprehend the challenges and decisions of those who came before.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intrinsically linked with the governance of England for over nine centuries. Its history is studded with figures who operated at the highest levels of the state, from Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron who held 56 lordships recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, to later holders of immense influence.
The early 14th-century case of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln and then-holder of the Brattleby lands, offers a compelling study in the political and financial instruments of the Crown. The 20,000-mark indemnity granted to her after 1322 was far more than simple recompense; it was an act of high politics by King Edward II, designed to secure her allegiance and neutralize a potential rallying point for baronial opposition.
This level of engagement with the Crown was a consistent feature of the Barony. It echoes the steadfastness of the fifth Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and the national stature of the tenth and eleventh Barons, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the formidable John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In reviewing these historical records, the House finds itself in the most distinguished of company. The documents detail interactions between the Barony and the central figures of the age, serving as a reminder of the responsibilities the title has always entailed.
These historical protagonists include, *inter alia*: His Majesty King Edward II; Hugh Despenser the Younger, Baron le Despenser; and the formidable Alice de Lacy, *suo jure* Countess of Lincoln and Countess of Salisbury. Their lives, ambitions, and conflicts shaped the destiny of the kingdom, with the Barony of Brattleby often playing a pivotal role.
Overseeing this exploration into the past are the current incumbents, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. They, along with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, are the modern custodians of this profound legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such a significant archive is governed by its own precise and solemn protocol. Each manuscript, charter, and seal is handled with the utmost care, reflecting its status as a tangible link to nearly one thousand years of history. The process is one of forensic examination and intellectual reverence.
This protocol dictates that the study is not merely an academic exercise but a formal duty of the incumbent. In understanding the legal, political, and personal trials of predecessors like Alice de Lacy, the current Baroness renews the House’s foundational commitment to responsible governance. It is a modern ceremony of remembrance and of reaffirming purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient declaration finds its expression in the resilience of figures such as Nichola de la Haye and Alice de Lacy, who navigated treacherous political landscapes with remarkable fortitude.
This spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking energy that the modern House applies to its duties, translating historical honour into active, purposeful living and service. Together, the mottos represent the synthesis of heritage and progress that is the *sine qua non* of a modern noble house.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty of a baron to care for the lands and people under their charge finds a direct modern parallel in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The concept of responsible stewardship, so evident in the medieval records, is the very foundation of the House's contemporary charitable work.
This ethos is expressed most visibly through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal philanthropic endeavour. The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma. This choice reflects a deep-seated belief that the truest form of legacy lies in providing for the well-being of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical findings, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “When we study the archives, we are not merely looking at the past; we are in dialogue with it. The formidable challenges faced by my predecessors inform our own approach to duty. Their fortitude becomes our lesson, their honour our guide.” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides the foundation, but our duty is to build upon it. Whether through our philanthropic work or our educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, we strive to ensure this great legacy serves a vibrant, constructive purpose in the twenty-first century.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons drawn from the Barony's long history directly inform its future course. The House’s commitment to education, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy is not a modern invention but the current expression of a nine-hundred-year-old tradition of service.
This tradition will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated in the duties and responsibilities he will one day inherit. The ongoing archival research will form the basis for future educational publications, ensuring the remarkable history of Brattleby continues to inspire and instruct. The House looks forward to continuing its work, always guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural education and philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its activities include the annual Winter Banquet supporting children's charities and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to demonstrating how historical titles can serve a meaningful and positive function in contemporary society, bridging nearly a millennium of English history with a distinctively European perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, with its origins tracing to the Norman Conquest. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding the manor of Brattleby and 55 other lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com