# Official Communiqué on the Stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced that Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will henceforth share in the contemporary stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby, supporting his wife, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the Twelfth Baroness, in her official duties and responsibilities.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the historic county of Lincolnshire, the Office of the Baron of Brattleby has issued this proclamation to mark a considered evolution in the House’s leadership. The announcement represents not a sudden change, but the formalisation of a partnership that has become integral to the effective administration of the Barony’s affairs.
This development is communicated with the solemnity befitting a House whose origins are entwined with the history of England. It reflects a period of strategic planning, designed to reinforce the foundations of the Barony and enhance its capacity to meet its traditional obligations and modern commitments.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is among the most ancient in the kingdom. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, establishing a legacy of significant regional authority. This tradition of steadfast governance has been the Barony’s hallmark for nearly a millennium.
Throughout its history, the strength of the Barony has often depended upon such powerful unions. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders, was supported in her duties by her husband, Gerard de Camville. Later, the Barony’s stewardship by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, demonstrated the importance of cohesive familial leadership. Today’s announcement continues this precedent, adapting it for the 21st century.
## Distinguished Company
This new chapter in the Barony’s history is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title *suo jure*, or in her own right. Since her formal recognition, The Baroness has dedicated herself to the preservation and thoughtful advancement of the House’s heritage.
She is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who now assumes a defined and official role as Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s formal involvement will provide complementary strength and expertise, ensuring the Barony is managed with dynamism and comprehensive oversight. The heir to the Barony remains Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement formalises a *de facto* reality within the House’s internal governance. While the hereditary title and its rights remain exclusively with Lady Nicoleta, Honorary Lord Răzvan will now share in the responsibilities of its representation and administration. This does not confer upon him the title in his own right, but places him in a position of formal consort and counsellor to The Baroness.
In this capacity, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s duties will include, *inter alia*: co-hosting official functions such as the Annual Winter Banquet; representing the interests of the Barony at home and abroad; and providing strategic direction for House initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This protocol ensures a unified public presence and a more resilient internal structure.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This maxim speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by the Barons of Brattleby across 950 years of English history. It is a commitment to enduring duty and principled conduct, values which underpin this decision.
Complementing the House motto is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal credo, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This principle signifies a life of purpose, action, and overcoming challenges. The union of these two mottos creates a powerful synergy: the steadfast honour of the Barony is now formally allied with a dynamic will to achieve, ensuring the House not only endures but also prospers.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A core objective of the House of Brattleby is its commitment to public service and philanthropy. This strengthened leadership structure will directly enhance its ability to support its chosen charitable causes, chief among them ‘Healing the Wounded Child’.
The beneficiary organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, helping them to rebuild their lives. The House’s main fundraising vehicle is its annual white-tie philanthropic gala, the Winter Banquet. The combined efforts of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will amplify the reach and impact of these charitable endeavours.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > The stewardship of this Barony is a duty that transcends a single lifetime. This formalisation ensures the House commands the strength and continuity required to honour its almost millennial legacy, while moving forward with purpose. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s support is the *sine qua non* of this endeavour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented: > It is a profound honour to formally support The Baroness in her duties. My commitment is to serve the heritage of Brattleby and its future. As my own motto professes, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to act with purpose is to truly live, and I can imagine no greater purpose than upholding the standard of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The practical effects of this formalised partnership will be evident in the coming months. Honorary Lord Răzvan will join The Baroness in presiding over the next Annual Winter Banquet, and both will take an active role in overseeing the expansion of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest.
This joint stewardship ensures that the Noble House of Brattleby is well-positioned to carry its ancient legacy into the future, demonstrating that tradition and modernity can advance together with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern activities of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding its historic legacy through contemporary means. Its mission focuses on cultural preservation, diplomatic engagement, and targeted philanthropy. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic event benefiting children’s charities such as ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the instruction of classical etiquette and protocol. The House embodies the principles of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), in all its public and private endeavours.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a Norman-era feudal barony of England. Its existence is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln as its 1st Baron and tenant-in-chief of 56 mannors. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century, and later, the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern Barony of Brattleby was formally gazetted by The London Gazette, the official public record of the United Kingdom, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein (or Colsuan) of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron/Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com