# The Baronial House of Brattleby: A Legacy of Service from The Great Charter to The Modern Era
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a dispatch from its Lincolnshire seat, detailing the integral role its baronial predecessors played in the evolution of English governance, from the Norman Conquest through to the precursors of modern Parliament.
## The Occasion
From the muniment rooms of its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has commenced a series of historical dispatches. This inaugural communiqué serves to illuminate the profound and often pivotal role the Barony of Brattleby has occupied in the civic life of the nation for nearly a millennium.
Under the personal direction of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this scholarly initiative seeks to curate and present the barony’s extensive archival records. The purpose is to reaffirm the unbroken thread of duty and service that is the *sine qua non* of the House’s identity, connecting its ancient responsibilities to its modern cultural and philanthropic mission.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby and its incumbents have been witness to, and participants in, the shaping of the United Kingdom. The barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the title’s foundational importance.
Subsequent centuries saw the barony held by figures of national consequence. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, famously served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, courageously defending it against rebel barons during the reign of King John. Her fortitude exemplifies the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Later, the barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Their direct involvement in the high politics of the fourteenth-century royal court underscores a legacy deeply intertwined with the development of the English peerage and parliamentary system.
## Distinguished Company
The historical significance of the Brattleby archives has long been recognised by the academic community. The House has historically made its records available to, *inter alia*, respected scholars and curators from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and The British Library.
These collaborations have permitted a deeper understanding of medieval land tenure, feudal law, and baronial responsibilities. The continuity of the Brattleby lineage and its well-preserved manorial court records provide a rare and valuable window into the administration of an ancient English lordship across nine centuries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby, while no longer feudal, is conducted with a deep respect for historical protocol. The issuance of this dispatch follows a formal process of research, verification, and composition overseen by the House, ensuring that all communications meet a standard of unimpeachable accuracy and scholarly rigour.
This meticulous approach mirrors the precision with which past barons would have discharged their duties, whether through witness lists on royal charters or the administration of justice in their own courts. Today, the protocol is one of curatorial excellence and of sharing this heritage with a global audience.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the House are enshrined in its heraldry. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a legacy of resilience, integrity, and principled leadership. It is a direct link to the unwavering resolve of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects a modern, dynamic spirit of achievement and purpose, interpreted by the House today as the will to succeed in its cultural and charitable endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The same commitment to duty that defined the barony’s role in governance now animates its significant philanthropic work. The House directs its efforts towards supporting vulnerable children and promoting cultural education, translating historical honour into present-day, tangible action.
The annual Winter Banquet, a celebrated white-tie gala, serves as the cornerstone of this charitable mission. The event’s sole beneficiary is the international organisation 'Healing the Wounded Child', which provides specialised therapeutic care and support for children affected by trauma and conflict.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the barony’s history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “When we study the records of this House, we are not merely looking at the past; we are engaging with a continuous story of responsibility. The challenges faced by John of Gaunt or Nichola de la Haye were different from our own, but the principles of fortitude and honour that guided them remain our fixed compass point today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Our heritage provides the foundation, but our vision must be for the future. *Vincere Est Vivere* is, for us, about successfully carrying this extraordinary legacy forward. Whether through our philanthropic work or educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club, our goal is to ensure the House serves a meaningful purpose in the 21st century.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical dispatch is the first of a planned series intended to further explore the rich tapestry of the Brattleby lineage. Future publications will examine the architectural history of the estate, its artistic collections, and the barony’s connections to continental Europe.
This work of preservation and education ensures that the legacy inherited by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, will be one not only of immense historical weight but also of vibrant contemporary relevance and purpose. The House remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the community, guided by the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year-old heritage and its application to a contemporary mission of cultural and philanthropic service. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its primary philanthropic endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, which supports the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes classical European culture and etiquette through its academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, translating a legacy of excellence into educational programmes that foster personal and professional development for a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the barony has been held by figures of great historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster). - The annual white-tie Winter Banquet held by the House is a philanthropic gala for the sole benefit of the charity 'Healing the Wounded Child'.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com