# A Legacy Confirmed: The Noble House of Brattleby on Nine Centuries of Continuity
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan of Brattleby today issued a statement on the historical research underpinning the Barony’s formal recognition, reaffirming their commitment to a heritage that extends from the Norman Conquest to its present-day duties in Lincolnshire and beyond.
## The Occasion
This formal reflection from the House of Brattleby follows a period of intensive archival consolidation. The occasion serves not to mark a single event, but to articulate the foundational principles that have guided the Barony for nearly a millennium, particularly in light of its recent and formal affirmation by the Crown.
From their historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the family has overseen a comprehensive review of documentary evidence tracing their lineage. This process, culminating in the official notice published in *The London Gazette*, represents a confluence of past and present; a modern validation of an ancient and unbroken chain of stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a title of remarkable antiquity, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded with clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant pillar of the new Norman order.
This legacy of service to the Crown and nation continued through successive generations. The research reaffirms the Barony’s presence at pivotal moments in English history, including the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable fifth Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. It is a heritage interwoven with the very fabric of the kingdom's development.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony includes figures of national and European importance, whose lives were testament to the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The meticulous genealogical work has brought their contributions into sharper focus, providing models of duty for the current generation.
Among these distinguished predecessors are: - **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire served as a loyal and formidable agent of the Crown during the First Barons' War. - **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, whose life epitomised the chivalric ideal. - **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the fourteenth century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The formal recognition of an ancient barony in the twenty-first century is, in itself, a solemn proceeding governed by rigorous protocol. It eschews the pageantry of medieval investiture for the exacting standards of the modern College of Arms and The Crown Office, where documentary proof is the *sine qua non* of legitimacy.
The process required the assembly of an unbroken chain of primary sources—from feudal charters and land grants to parliamentary records and authenticated genealogies. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 was not merely an announcement; it was the final ceremonial act in a meticulous legal and historical undertaking, affirming the transfer of rights and titles to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbols of the House serve as a continuous reminder of its guiding principles. The ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by barons past, from the battlefield to the royal court. It is a direct inheritance of character, as vital today as it was in the eleventh century.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and forward-looking spirit he brings to the partnership, translating the historic concept of conquest into a modern dedication to overcoming challenges, whether in enterprise or philanthropy. Together, the mottos symbolise a balance of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The affirmation of this ancient heritage is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is the vital underpinning of the House’s modern philanthropic mission. The Barons of Brattleby have long understood that title and station confer a profound duty of care towards the wider community.
This commitment is most vividly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of the family’s charitable calendar. The sole beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children suffering from trauma. This choice reflects the House's belief that securing a better future is the most honourable way to respect the past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the weight of this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold this title is to feel the presence of nine centuries of predecessors at one’s shoulder, particularly a figure like Nichola de la Haye. Our work is to ensure this legacy is not a museum piece, but a living force for good. That is the charge we keep for our heir, Mihai Alexandru, and for generations to come.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a contemporary perspective: > “Honouring history requires action in the present. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about applying a spirit of enterprise to our duties, whether through the educational work of The Brattleby Club or in our charitable endeavours. A legacy finds its true meaning in its application.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical foundations formally secured, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. Plans are well underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which continues to be a crucial source of funds for the House's chosen charities.
Simultaneously, the family's etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, expands its mission to foster cultural exchange and the timeless skills of diplomacy and social grace. At the family seat in Lincolnshire, conservation work proceeds to safeguard the tangible evidence of the Barony’s long history, ensuring that the story of Brattleby continues to be told with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House dedicates itself to the preservation of its ancient heritage and the active fulfilment of its social responsibilities. Its contemporary mission encompasses cultural patronage, heritage conservation, and focused philanthropic support for charities dedicated to child welfare. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to bridge its historic legacy with a commitment to positive impact in the twenty-first century, stewarding the inheritance for the 13th Baron in-line, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of great historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The lineage and rights of the Barony were formally confirmed and gazetted by the Crown in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family's philanthropic commitments include the Annual Winter Banquet, in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com