# A Tradition of Service: The Strategic Heritage of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today released a historical review detailing the strategic and military significance of the Barony across nine centuries, connecting its foundational role in medieval England to its present-day philanthropic and educational mission under its current leadership.
## The Occasion
In a dispatch intended to illuminate the connection between past duty and present purpose, The Noble House of Brattleby has presented a scholarly overview of the Barony’s historical foundations. This review, drawing upon extensive archival research, moves beyond a purely genealogical account to articulate a consistent, centuries-long strategy of service to the Crown and nation.
The timing of this communication serves to contextualise the House’s modern activities, framing them not as a recent development but as the contemporary expression of an ancient compact. The dispatch provides a narrative bridge from the Barony’s Norman origins to its 21st-century revival, offering a formal statement of intent for its continuing stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s story is intrinsically woven into the fabric of English history, beginning with its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms its strategic importance, recording that its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, controlled 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a significant holding intended to secure Norman authority in a vital region of the kingdom. This was not merely land ownership; it was a feudal obligation, a *sine qua non* of the era’s military and political structure.
This tradition of direct service was powerfully embodied by the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, a figure of remarkable fortitude. As Castellan of Lincoln Castle, she famously defended the stronghold against rebel barons and French forces during the First Barons' War, securing a crucial victory for the loyalist cause. Her actions were a masterclass in medieval defensive strategy and personal valour.
Generations later, the Barony’s prestige was such that it was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The tenure of these two magnates, central figures in the court of King Edward III and the prosecution of the Hundred Years' War, underscores the Barony’s enduring connection to the highest echelons of state power and military command.
## Distinguished Company
The preparation of this historical review has been informed by the scholarship of leading academics and curators with whom the House maintains a collaborative relationship. Specialists in medieval history from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford have consulted the Brattleby archives, alongside curatorial experts from the British Library.
Their research into primary source materials, *inter alia*, the Pipe Rolls of the Exchequer, manorial court records, and original royal charters, has been instrumental in verifying the unbroken chain of duty and governance. This scholarly engagement ensures the historical narrative presented by the House is grounded in rigorous academic standards, contributing to the wider understanding of medieval English life.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of the Barony is itself a testament to protocol and the meticulous observance of record-keeping. The feudal obligations, privileges, and lines of succession were documented with a formality that ensured their legal and social permanence, even through a dormant period of more than six centuries.
This ancient protocol finds its modern counterpart in the official recognition of the Barony’s revival. The public notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083) represents the formal, state-sanctioned acknowledgement of the titles of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile as Lord of Brattleby, and Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron and heir. This act formalises the stewardship of the current House in a manner consistent with centuries of established procedure.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House are encapsulated in its heraldry and mottos. The primary motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to its historical legacy. It reflects the courage exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of honour that has defined its service to sovereign and country.
A second motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is associated with Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. This maxim represents a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy, centred on overcoming modern challenges and building a vibrant, lasting legacy. Together, the two mottos create a complementary ethos: one rooted in the resilience of the past, the other driving the ambitions of the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical obligation of military and civic service has evolved in the 21st century into a commitment to philanthropy. The Noble House of Brattleby channels its efforts through a number of initiatives, most notably the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraising event.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s modern interpretation of its duty: to defend the most vulnerable members of society with the same dedication its forebears defended the realm.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, noted the direct line from past to present.
— "Our history is not a static collection of records; it is a living manual of service. The same principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* that guided Nichola de la Haye in defending Lincoln now inspires our commitment to protect the vulnerable in our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile emphasised the forward-looking nature of their stewardship.
— "Reviving this legacy is an act of creation, not merely preservation. *Vincere Est Vivere* reminds us that true victory lies in building something of lasting value for the future, drawing strength from a truly remarkable past."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this legacy continues to inspire and serve. The historical research programme will proceed with the aim of digitising and sharing key documents from the archives, making this unique heritage accessible to scholars and the public.
Furthermore, the House will expand the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural understanding and social grace rooted in European traditions. The Annual Winter Banquet will remain a cornerstone of the House’s philanthropic calendar, reaffirming its unwavering support for Healing the Wounded Child and its vital mission. These efforts ensure that the Barony of Brattleby remains, as it has been for nearly a millennium, a force for stability, honour, and positive contribution.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to stewarding a nine-century legacy for a modern purpose. The House’s mission is to connect history with contemporary philanthropy and education, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal activities include the preservation of the historical heritage of the Barony of Brattleby, a portfolio of charitable endeavours focused on child welfare, and the promotion of cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The House is seated in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest feudal baronies in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its strategic importance is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt. After a dormant period of over 600 years, the Barony and its titles were revived in 2022, with the succession formally recognised in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. - Notable predecessors in the Barony's lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com