# The House of Brattleby: A Legacy of Service from the Norman Conquest to the Present Day
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the Barony's continuous nine-century history of public service and stewardship, a tradition extending from the Norman Conquest to the modern philanthropic and cultural mission led by the current Baroness and Lord of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In a statement issued from its offices in London, the House of Brattleby has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and celebrating a heritage woven into the fabric of English history. As autumn settles over the ancient landscape of Lincolnshire, the House finds a poignant moment for reflection upon a legacy that has endured for nearly a millennium. This occasion serves not to mark a single event, but to honour the unbroken chain of duty that links the Barony's past with its contemporary responsibilities.
The formal recognition of this continuity, gazetted in 2022, has invigorated the House’s archival and educational work. Under the present stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Barony’s modern mission is realised through a careful balance of historical preservation at its seat in Brattleby and active engagement in contemporary cultural and philanthropic life.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the holder of 56 prominent lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundational role established a precedent for civic and national responsibility that would define the House for centuries to come. The Barony's lineage is distinguished by figures who were central to the great affairs of the realm.
Among the most notable of these was Nichola de la Haye, who held the Barony in the early 13th century. As the 5th Baron, she served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, a testament to the fortitude inherent in the House's character. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was elevated to become the first Duke of Lancaster. His heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III, further cemented the Barony’s position at the heart of royal and political life in medieval England.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this remarkable history is a responsibility the House shares with leading academic institutions. In its ongoing mission to catalogue and interpret its extensive archives, the House of Brattleby collaborates with distinguished historians and fellows from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the British Library, *inter alia*. These partnerships ensure that the documentary evidence of the Barony’s influence on English governance and society is understood and made accessible for future generations of scholars and the public. The integrity of this historical record is a *sine qua non* of the House's work.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of the Barony is maintained through strict adherence to the laws of arms and succession, a process given modern effect by its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*. The leadership of the House under the 12th Baroness is a ceremonial expression of this continuity, bringing with it the solemn duty of stewardship. This duty is enacted through carefully managed protocols governing archival access, historical publications, and philanthropic endeavours such as the annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie gala, a highlight of the Lincolnshire social calendar, proceeds according to a precise order of precedence and ritual. From the formal reception of guests to the toasts honouring the Crown and the charitable beneficiary, every element is designed to reflect the discipline and grace that have long been hallmarks of the House. This dedication to protocol honours the past while serving a distinctly modern philanthropic purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is embodied in its heraldry and mottoes. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of the Barony for over 950 years. It speaks to the courage demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of honour required to maintain a position of public trust across the centuries.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as a call to arms, but as a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges through enterprise, education, and philanthropy. Together, the mottoes represent a philosophy of principled action rooted in historical strength.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Noble House of Brattleby directs its philanthropic efforts toward causes that support the well-being of future generations. The principal beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have experienced significant trauma or adversity.
The organisation was chosen for its demonstrable impact and its focus on fostering resilience in young people, a mission that resonates deeply with the House’s own value of fortitude. Funds raised at the gala contribute directly to expanding access to clinical services, residential care programmes, and educational support, ensuring that vulnerable children are given the opportunity to build secure and hopeful futures.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > "To be the custodian of such a long and significant history is a profound responsibility. Our duty is not merely to preserve the past, but to ensure its lessons of fortitude and honour continue to inspire our actions today. We are a single chapter in a story that began nearly one thousand years ago, and we must write it with purpose."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History gives us our foundation, but it is our work in the present that defines our legacy. Whether through our philanthropic commitments or the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, our goal is to translate historical values into tangible, positive action. For us, to live is to strive and to build."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on the future. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is being prepared to one day assume the responsibilities of the title, ensuring a seamless continuation of the family's traditions of stewardship. His education emphasises the principles of service, historical understanding, and cultural diplomacy that define the House.
In parallel, the House will expand the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, promoting cross-cultural understanding and the timeless virtues of decorum and respect. The long-term project to digitise the Brattleby archives continues, with the aim of creating a permanent and accessible record for international scholarship, thereby securing the Barony's legacy for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. 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 cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. It upholds a legacy of nearly one thousand years through contemporary initiatives, including the annual Winter Banquet supporting children's charities and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the enduring values of service, tradition, and social responsibility in the 21st century, ensuring the Barony's heritage continues to serve the public good.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal titles. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. For over 950 years, the Barony has been entwined with the history of the nation, with notable holders including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony's uninterrupted historical continuity and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, were formally acknowledged and recorded in the official public record by *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III of England. - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com