# An Ancient Barony Revived: A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement regarding the revival of the Barony of Brattleby, confirmed by Crown recognition in 2022, thereby renewing a nine-hundred-year-old lineage for a new era of philanthropic service and cultural stewardship.
## The Occasion
The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby, dormant for 623 years, marks a moment of profound historical resonance. While the legal and constitutional formalities were concluded with notice in *The London Gazette*, this announcement serves as the formal presentation of the House’s modern mission. The occasion is one of solemn reflection on the tenure of past holders and a forward declaration of intent under the stewardship of the 12th Baroness. It is a deliberate act of reconnection, bridging the centuries to restore a title deeply woven into the fabric of Lincolnshire and the history of England.
This revival is not presented as a gala, but rather as the quiet, determined assumption of long-held responsibilities. In an age of fleeting digital notice, the House has chosen to mark this continuity through a formal, considered statement, respecting the gravity of its inheritance. The context is one of duty—a commitment to uphold the legacy of a Barony that predates Magna Carta and has been borne by figures central to the nation’s story.
## 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 lord of 56 demesnes in Lincolnshire. This illustrates the Barony's foundational role in the post-Conquest settlement of the region. Through the centuries, the title passed to personages of considerable note, binding Brattleby to the very heart of English power and governance.
Among the most distinguished predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle and defended it with great courage against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. Her steadfast loyalty to the Crown exemplifies the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. These connections placed Brattleby in the immediate ambit of the Plantagenet dynasty, before the title entered its long period of dormancy following Gaunt’s death.
## Distinguished Company
The responsibility for this historical revival is vested in the principals of The Noble House of Brattleby:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.** As the new holder of the title, Lady Nicoleta assumes the mantle of a long and distinguished line, with a particular focus on renewing its commitment to public service.
* **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby.** As consort to the Baroness, Honorary Lord Răzvan supports the endeavours of the House under his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which he interprets as a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges through diligent effort and enterprise.
* **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.** As heir apparent, the young Baron ensures the continuity of the line into the next generation, and his education is being guided by the principles of duty and service that define the House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant barony is a meticulous legal and heraldic process, governed by ancient precedent and modern requirements. The process undertaken by the House involved extensive genealogical and historical research to prove lineage and right, followed by petitions to the appropriate authorities. The *sine qua non* of this process is official recognition by the Crown.
The culmination of these efforts was the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This publication is the modern, official successor to the medieval practice of proclaiming a Royal Charter and serves as incontrovertible public record. The act of gazetting is, in itself, a ceremony of state—a quiet but definitive instrument of constitutional machinery that formally acknowledged the end of the Barony’s dormancy and the succession of Lady Nicoleta.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is anchored in its heraldic traditions, which serve as a constant reminder of its guiding principles.
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is its primary ethical compass. 'Fortitude' represents the resilience and courage demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. 'Honour' represents the integrity, duty, and commitment to public good that must accompany the holding of such a title.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a philosophy of dynamic action: a belief that to live a meaningful life is to actively strive to overcome obstacles, build new ventures, and contribute positively to society. Together, the two mottos create a framework of principled resilience and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central tenet of the Barony’s revival is the firm belief that title entails duty. The House of Brattleby is committed to leveraging its platform for tangible philanthropic impact, transforming historical privilege into a modern engine for social good. This commitment is not an afterthought but is integral to the very purpose of the revival.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic efforts is the charity **Healing the Wounded Child**. This organisation provides vital therapeutic and psychological support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or significant loss. Its mission—to restore childhoods and build resilience in the most vulnerable—aligns perfectly with the House's ethos of fortitude and care. The organisation was chosen for its proven, evidence-based approach and its profound impact on young lives. This support is most visibly expressed through the House's Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala where all proceeds are directed to the charity's essential work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > To assume this title is not a prize, but a profound responsibility. One feels the weight of nine centuries and the gaze of figures like Nichola de la Haye. Our task is to ensure the name of Brattleby is once again synonymous not with history alone, but with active service to the community, particularly here in Lincolnshire. *Fortitudine et Honore* must be a lived reality.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > My wife carries the direct lineage, and I see my role as helping to build the structure around it for a modern era. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about applying an enterprising spirit to our shared goals. Whether through philanthropy or promoting cultural education via The Brattleby Club, our purpose is to build a legacy that is both honourable and effective.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks to the future with a clear sense of purpose. The stewardship of the Barony is now an active, multi-generational project, with Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun being prepared for the duties that will one day be his. The immediate work of the House will focus on deepening its ties within Lincolnshire and expanding its charitable and cultural programmes.
Key initiatives on the horizon include the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child, which serves as the centrepiece of the House's philanthropic calendar. Furthermore, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, will continue its work promoting cross-cultural understanding and the virtues of civil discourse, reflecting the House’s European perspective. The revival of the Barony is not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter of purposeful engagement.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s 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 dual mission: preserving its profound historical legacy while deploying its platform for contemporary philanthropic and cultural endeavours. With a focus on children's welfare and educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club, the House blends its English heritage, centred in its seat of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, with a wider European outlook. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can serve as a force for good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. The land holdings were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. Following a 623-year period of dormancy, the Barony was revived and formally recognised by the Crown in favour of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile. The revival was officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1157–1230), renowned as the Castellan of Lincoln Castle. - The 11th Baron was John of Gaunt (1340–1399), one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com