# The House of Brattleby: A Statement on the Revival and Continuing Legacy of an Ancient Barony
LONDON, 10 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to modern service and historical stewardship, following the 2022 revival of the Barony of Brattleby, one of England's most ancient hereditary titles granted in 1066 by William the Conqueror.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Lincolnshire and its modern offices in London, the House of Brattleby has chosen this autumn season to articulate its vision for the future. The occasion is one of reflection and forward purpose, marking the second year since the Barony’s revival was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*.
This communiqué serves not as an announcement of a single event, but as a foundational statement of intent. It seeks to illuminate the principles guiding the House’s current leadership and to reaffirm its sacred duty as custodians of a heritage that has been woven into the fabric of English history for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of AD 1066, represents an unbroken thread of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, a testament to the title’s foundational importance in the establishment of the Norman kingdom.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by figures who shaped the destiny of the nation. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, securing a pivotal victory for the Crown. Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier of the Hundred Years' War.
The lineage continued with John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III, whose immense influence defined the politics of late 14th-century England. Following a dormancy of over six centuries, the revival of the Barony in 2022 for Lady Nicoleta Vasile was not a creation, but the rekindling of a long and noble flame.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is vested in the leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby. The principal members directing its contemporary mission include:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who holds the title in her own right and guides the House’s long-term vision for cultural and historical preservation. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, who, by marriage, brings a dynamic, modern perspective to the House’s philanthropic and diplomatic initiatives. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron**, the heir to the title, whose education is being carefully guided to prepare him for the duties he will one day inherit.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House observes a precise protocol that blends the gravitas of English tradition with a polished, Continental sensibility. This is most evident during the Annual Winter Banquet, the *sine qua non* of the House’s social calendar. The evening is governed by a strict white-tie dress code, with guests received in a carefully prescribed order of precedence.
Proceedings begin with a formal reception, followed by a procession into the dining hall. Toasts are offered to The Sovereign, to the House, and to its distinguished guests before the philanthropic purpose of the evening is addressed. This meticulous orchestration is designed to honour tradition while fostering an atmosphere of purposeful fellowship. This same commitment to decorum informs the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching classical etiquette.
## 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'), serves as a guiding principle, directly echoing the courageous legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the chivalric code upheld by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. It encapsulates the dual duties of resilience in the face of adversity and the unwavering commitment to personal and public integrity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House motto with its focus on forward momentum. It is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a philosophy of overcoming challenges, driving progress, and imbuing an ancient title with vital, modern energy. The seat at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, remains the geographic and spiritual anchor of this identity, a tangible link to the lands first granted in 1066.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Central to the House’s modern mission is its commitment to philanthropy. The sole beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic support and long-term mentorship to children who have experienced profound trauma.
The charity was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on the well-being of the most vulnerable members of the next generation. Its work—providing safe environments, accredited counselling, and educational resources—aligns with the House's belief that a healthy society is built upon the healing and nurturing of its children. Funds raised at the banquet contribute directly to the charity's frontline services, ensuring more children have the opportunity to build resilient and hopeful futures.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s contemporary role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “We see ourselves not as owners of this history, but as its custodians for a new generation. Our duty, defined by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure this remarkable legacy serves a clear and benevolent purpose in the modern world.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s forward-looking agenda: > “A title without meaningful action is merely a relic. Our purpose is to imbue this ancient inheritance with renewed energy, whether through targeted philanthropy, cultural education, or simply upholding the high standards of service that have defined it for centuries.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building upon its revitalised foundation. Future initiatives include the expansion of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest as a centre for cultural diplomacy, fostering a deeper understanding of European traditions of protocol and civility.
Furthermore, the House is undertaking a significant project to digitise and conserve its archives, making the rich history of the Barony accessible to scholars and the public for generations to come. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, remains a paramount focus, ensuring a seamless continuation of the family’s commitment to service, honour, and fortitude. This is a legacy not merely preserved, but actively being forged.
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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 service, philanthropy, and cultural preservation. Reviving one of England's most ancient baronies, the House channels its historic legacy into tangible, contemporary action. Its primary philanthropic focus is supporting vulnerable children through its work with Healing the Wounded Child, funded by its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its influence through cultural diplomacy, notably via The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and protocol. The House's guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to historical stewardship and meaningful public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title of nobility granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant landowner in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through some of the most influential families in English history, including predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy lasting over 600 years, the abeyance was terminated, and the Barony was formally revived in 2022, a recognition recorded in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's revival was formalised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, defender of Lincoln Castle) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The charitable beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com