# The Barony of Brattleby: A Millennium of Service Renewed
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today remarked upon the deep historical and constitutional significance of the Barony of Brattleby’s revival, formally recognised in 2022. The title’s renewal connects the current House directly to its Norman origins and nine centuries of English history.
## The Occasion
Following the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, the House has undertaken a period of archival research and historical consolidation. This moment of reflection affirms the Barony's unique place within the fabric of Lincolnshire and the wider history of the nation. It is an occasion not of celebration alone, but of sober contemplation on the duties that accompany a title held by figures of national importance since the Norman Conquest.
From its seat in Brattleby, a parish recorded for centuries amidst the rolling wolds of Lincolnshire, the House looks back upon a lineage that has witnessed the evolution of England. The revival represents a considered commitment to stewarding this legacy, ensuring its resonance and relevance are maintained for the twenty-first century and beyond.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This illustrates the considerable power and responsibility vested in the Barony from its inception. The title has since been held by some of the most influential figures in English history.
Among its most notable predecessors, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, served as a castellan and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defending Lincoln Castle against rebel forces in 1217. Later, the Barony passed through the Plantagenet royal line to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. After a period of abeyance lasting 620 years, the revival in 2022 restores a direct and documented link to these foundational epochs of English statecraft.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of a hereditary peerage title after centuries in abeyance is a matter of exacting historical and legal verification. The process is governed by strict protocols, culminating in official recognition by the Crown. For the Barony of Brattleby, this was finalised through a notice published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665.
The notice, with ID 4158083 published on 9 September 2022, serves as the definitive public record of the title's revival and Lady Nicoleta's succession. This modern procedure is the legal successor to the ancient ceremonies of investiture, representing a seamless blend of contemporary administrative rigour and the enduring authority of feudal law. It is a process that depends not on ceremony for its own sake, but on documented, verifiable proof of lineage—a *sine qua non* for such ancient dignities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its heraldic mottoes. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the twin virtues of resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity. This principle has guided the Barons of Brattleby through centuries of service, from the battlefield to the royal court.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby by marriage, has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). This expresses a dynamic philosophy of overcoming challenges, not merely for victory's sake, but as the very essence of a purposeful existence. Together, the two mottoes reflect a balance of steadfast duty and forward-looking resolve.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The modern expression of *Fortitudine et Honore* is found in the House's profound commitment to philanthropy. The Barony is not maintained as a historical curiosity; rather, its platform is used to support causes that address contemporary challenges with compassion and efficacy.
The primary beneficiary of the House's charitable endeavours is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from the effects of trauma and abuse. The House's annual Winter Banquet, a signature white-tie gala, is the principal fundraising event for this cause. The choice of beneficiary reflects a deeply held belief that a society's strength is measured by how it protects its most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the profound sense of duty the title confers.
> We are acutely aware that we do not simply hold a title, but rather we act as custodians of a near-millennium of history. When I consider the legacy of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, who held Lincoln for the King, I am reminded that this honour is defined by service, not by status. Our task is to ensure the Barony a productive and honourable place in the modern world. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the confluence of historical legacy and present-day responsibility.
> The revival of the Barony is a bridge between two eras. It allows us to draw inspiration from the past to confront the challenges of today. Whether through our philanthropic work or our educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, we are applying the lessons of history to make a tangible, positive impact.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession secured and its historical context reaffirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will one day become the 13th Baron, is a paramount priority, ensuring a seamless continuation of the family's commitments.
The House will expand its cultural and philanthropic programmes, *inter alia*, strengthening the work of The Brattleby Club and forging new partnerships to benefit its charitable causes. The Barony of Brattleby, revived and reinvigorated, thus continues its long journey: a resilient thread in the rich tapestry of English and European history, woven with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for stewarding the legacy of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of contemporary service rooted in historical tradition. Its work spans philanthropic support for vulnerable children, principally through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, and cultural education via its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House bridges past and present, applying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), to make a meaningful contribution in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a hereditary peerage title of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout the medieval and Plantagenet periods, the Barony was held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After falling into abeyance for over six centuries, the title was revived in 2022 for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose succession was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, renewing a lineage that stretches back to the Norman Conquest.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com