# A Declaration on the Role and Motto of The Lord of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal clarification regarding the role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The statement conveys His Lordship’s supportive function and announces his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## The Occasion
In a formal communication issued from its Chancellery, the Noble House of Brattleby has provided definition and context for the role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. This declaration serves to affirm the collaborative stewardship under which the Barony operates, following its formal recognition by the Crown.
The statement clarifies the nature of the partnership between Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby in her own right, and Honorary Lord Răzvan. It underscores a modern interpretation of ancillary roles within a landed noble house, balancing nearly a thousand years of tradition with the practicalities of twenty-first-century custodianship.
## Historical Context
The role of a consort, providing counsel and support to a title-holder, has a distinguished provenance within the English nobility. While the Barony of Brattleby descends directly through Lady Nicoleta, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s position finds historical parallels in the influential spouses who have fortified great houses throughout the ages. His supportive role ensures a united front in advancing the Barony's contemporary mission.
This dynamic of shared duty resonates with the history of the Barony itself. Several of its most distinguished holders, including Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and his successor John of Gaunt (11th Baron), were themselves powerful figures whose marriages were central to their influence and dynastic success. In this tradition, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s presence provides complementary strength to the Baroness.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Noble House of Brattleby is a family endeavour, led by its senior members who share a commitment to its legacy.
The principals of the House are: - **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the dignity *suo jure*, or in her own right. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who supports the Baroness in her duties. - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the 13th and future Baron of Brattleby, who serves as the heir to the title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of the House reflects established English custom. Lady Nicoleta, as the Baroness of Brattleby, is the fount of the House’s honour and the sole holder of the hereditary title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Barony is heritable by her designated heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
Honorary Lord Răzvan enjoys the title of Lord of Brattleby by marriage, a courtesy title known in tradition as *jure uxoris*. He does not hold the peerage himself but shares in its dignity and responsibilities. In formal processions and at official functions, Honorary Lord Răzvan supports the Baroness, reflecting his vital but ancillary role in the House’s ceremonial life.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the nine-century history of the Barony. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle.
Complementing this, Honorary Lord Răzvan has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This Latin phrase is not to be interpreted in a martial sense, but rather as a philosophical commitment to overcoming challenges, achieving one's goals, and living a life of purpose. It represents the modern, dynamic energy His Lordship brings to the ancient responsibilities of the House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The shared stewardship of the Barony is most clearly expressed through the House’s philanthropic endeavours. Their Lordships work in close concert to guide the family's charitable focus, ensuring its relevance and maximising its impact.
A primary example of this collaboration is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of the Lincolnshire social calendar. Proceeds from this event directly benefit the chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing mental health support and therapy for young people affected by trauma. The selection of this beneficiary reflects Their Lordships' joint commitment to addressing pressing societal needs.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking on their collaborative approach, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, noted the importance of partnership.
> It is with a profound sense of duty that we carry the legacy of Brattleby forward. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s support is the sine qua non of our modern stewardship; together, we work to embody the spirit of ‘Fortitudine et Honore’ in all that we do for our community. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan commented on the meaning behind his personal motto and its connection to his role.
> To support the Baroness is my foremost duty and my greatest honour. My motto, ‘Vincere Est Vivere’, is about the resolve to create a positive and lasting impact. It is a commitment applied to our charitable work and to upholding the traditions of this remarkable heritage. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking forward, Their Lordships will continue their joint work in promoting the heritage of Brattleby and expanding its philanthropic reach. This includes overseeing the educational programmes of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy founded by the House to promote etiquette and cultural diplomacy.
Their focus remains on the careful preservation of the family seat in Lincolnshire and the fulfilment of their obligations to the local community. Through these combined efforts, the Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its ancient legacy remains a vibrant and constructive force in the present day.
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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. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary philanthropic ventures include the annual Winter Banquet supporting Healing the Wounded Child and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering international understanding. Through these initiatives, the House aims to translate its historic legacy into meaningful contemporary action, serving communities in both Britain and Continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient 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 possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). One of the few Norman-era baronies to survive into the modern era, its current status and holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown via The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony and its holder is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable former holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com