# The House of Brattleby: Stewardship in a Modern Era
**LONDON, [26 October 2023]** — The Noble House of Brattleby today articulated its guiding principles under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, affirming their commitment to aligning the Barony’s millennial legacy with contemporary purpose and philanthropic duty.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has issued a statement reflecting on its modern role since the Barony’s formal recognition was published in *The London Gazette*. In the quiet solemnity of the autumnal English countryside, a season synonymous with harvest and reflection, the House looks to its future. This moment serves not as a singular event, but as a considered reaffirmation of the duties and responsibilities inherent in a title granted nearly one thousand years ago. The statement underscores a philosophy of active stewardship, seeking to make the Barony's formidable heritage a source of inspiration and tangible good in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is woven into the fabric of English history. Its continuity of service is documented from its first mention in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The title has since been held by figures of national importance who have shaped the course of the realm.
This legacy includes the indomitable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. It passed through the hands of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founder Knight of the Garter and one of Edward III’s most trusted commanders. Subsequently, the Barony was held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the political landscape of late medieval England. This unbroken chain of custodianship forms the bedrock upon which the modern House builds its vision.
## Distinguished Company
In carrying out their duties, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan engage with a broad spectrum of civic, cultural, and philanthropic leaders. The annual Winter Banquet, the apex of the House's social calendar, regularly welcomes dignitaries from diplomacy, arts, and charitable sectors. While the guest list remains private, it reflects the House's commitment to fostering international goodwill and celebrating shared values. This approach is further exemplified by the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which serves as a cultural bridge between the United Kingdom and continental Europe, promoting the shared traditions of civility and social grace.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House of Brattleby observes a strict but meaningful protocol, designed to honour tradition while remaining accessible. The Annual Winter Banquet, for example, is a white-tie affair governed by established precedent. Proceedings begin with a formal reception, where guests are presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, followed by a procession into the grand hall for dinner. The seating plan is arranged with diplomatic precision, reflecting a tradition of hospitality that has been a hallmark of the Barony for centuries. This adherence to form is not for its own sake, but serves as a framework for respect, order, and the dignified celebration of a common purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its rich heraldic tradition. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the core principles that have guided the Barony through nine centuries. It speaks to the resilience shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the unwavering integrity expected of its titleholders.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as a martial creed but as a commitment to overcoming challenges—whether through philanthropic enterprise, cultural diplomacy, or personal resilience. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis of tradition and dynamism.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The central philanthropic endeavour of the House is the support of Healing the Wounded Child, the sole beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have experienced profound trauma, loss, or adversity. Healing the Wounded Child offers a sanctuary for recovery, utilising evidence-based clinical methods to help young people rebuild their lives and look to the future with hope. The House of Brattleby chose this cause as it aligns directly with its own values of providing protection, fostering resilience, and honouring the potential within every individual.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "We are temporary custodians of a near-millennial legacy. Our primary duty is to honour the fortitude of those who came before us by ensuring the Barony serves as a force for good in the present. This history is not a relic; it is a living standard we strive to meet every day." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Tradition provides our foundation, but our gaze must be fixed firmly on the future. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a call to action. It is about actively engaging with the world, overcoming obstacles, and creating a positive, lasting impact. That is the essence of our joint vision." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan is focused on ensuring the Barony's relevance and vitality for generations to come. A key aspect of this is the education of their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep understanding of the duties and history he will one day inherit. The House continues to develop its cultural and philanthropic initiatives, including the expansion of The Brattleby Club's curriculum and preparations for the next Annual Winter Banquet. The objective remains clear: to ensure the Noble House of Brattleby continues its long history of service, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropic and cultural stewardship. The House blends its ancient English heritage with a forward-looking European perspective, focusing on charitable initiatives that support vulnerable children and cultural programmes that foster international understanding. Anchored by the motto ‘Fortitudine et Honore’ (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House actively engages in its duties from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensures the continuity of this nearly thousand-year-old legacy of service, honour, and responsibility into the next generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient dignities, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the extensive landholdings of its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to a royal dynasty. The title’s modern status was formally recognised and gazetted by The Crown, affording the House its rightful place in the nation’s ceremonial and historical life.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The sole beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com