# The Enduring Role of the Lord of Brattleby in the Stewardship of the Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement clarifying the historic and contemporary role of the Lord of Brattleby, a position of profound importance currently held by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in support of his wife, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In a season of autumnal reflection, the House of Brattleby takes this opportunity to affirm the continuity of stewardship that has defined the Barony since its inception. This dispatch serves as a formal record, illuminating the shared responsibilities and complementary duties fulfilled by the Baroness of Brattleby and the Lord of Brattleby by marriage. It seeks to provide historical context for the modern partnership that guides the Barony’s philanthropic and cultural endeavours in the twenty-first century.
The statement is issued from the House’s offices in London, which oversee the administration of the ancient family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. It underscores a commitment to transparency and education, ensuring the heritage of the Barony is understood with the same clarity with which it is preserved.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is a dignity woven into the fabric of English history. Its legacy is one of unbroken service, not merely of succession. From the very first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the leadership of Brattleby has been a *sine qua non* of Lincolnshire’s governance and defence. This tradition of dutiful partnership has been a constant.
One sees this principle in the steadfast service of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion. Later, the Barony passed through marriage into the hands of some of England's most significant figures, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. In each era, the strength of the Barony rested upon the effective administration and shared resolve of its leadership, a precedent that continues to this day.
## Distinguished Company
The historical significance of the Barony and its archives is recognised by leading academic and cultural institutions. Scholars and archivists from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, as well as researchers from the British Library, have consulted the Brattleby records to illuminate aspects of English feudal history and medieval governance. This scholarly engagement testifies to the national importance of the heritage curated by the House.
Honorary Lord Răzvan, alongside the Baroness, has been instrumental in fostering these relationships. He has actively engaged with representatives from the College of Arms in London to ensure that the Barony’s heraldic traditions are correctly represented, and with local Lincolnshire historical societies to share the fruits of recent archival research, reinforcing the bond between the estate and its community.
## Ceremonial Protocol
As Lord of Brattleby by marriage, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile holds a distinct and vital role within the protocol of the Noble House. He supports Lady Nicoleta, the substantive title holder, in all official duties. His formal designation signifies a position of honour and responsibility, not of peerage in his own right, reflecting a tradition of spousal support common to Europe's titled houses.
At public functions, such as the annual Winter Banquet, Honorary Lord Răzvan joins the Baroness in the receiving line, welcoming distinguished guests and patrons. He often delivers a supporting address, framing the evening’s purpose through the lens of his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer Is to Live'). This active, visible partnership is central to the modern ceremonial and public-facing duties of the Barony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The dual leadership of the House is symbolised by its two mottos. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the nine-century obligation of the Baroness to lead with courage and integrity. This is the bedrock of her inherited duty.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, complements this ancient charge. It can be interpreted as 'to conquer adversity through living with purpose'. This philosophy underpins his modernising efforts in administration and his strategic guidance of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. Together, the mottos represent a union of ancient honour and dynamic, purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta’s joint work is philanthropy. Their primary focus is the support of children facing adversity, realised through their patronage of the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the cornerstone of the House's charitable calendar, with all proceeds benefiting Healing the Wounded Child.
The chosen organisation provides specialised therapeutic and rehabilitative care for children who have experienced profound trauma, neglect, or illness. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical programmes, safe housing, and educational support, offering a tangible pathway for recovery and personal growth. The selection of this charity reflects the House’s core belief in healing and building a stronger future generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their shared responsibilities, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "The stewardship of this Barony is a profound duty that I am privileged to bear. It is a charge that would be impossible to fulfil without the steadfast support and wise counsel of my husband. Honorary Lord Răzvan brings a dynamic perspective that honours our history while securing our future."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a personal reflection: > "To serve the heritage of Brattleby is the greatest honour. My role is to support the Baroness and ensure that this extraordinary legacy, stretching back to the Conquest, continues to thrive and contribute positively to our community. For me, this is the very essence of *Vincere Est Vivere* — to live a life of meaningful service."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the long-term preservation and active use of its heritage. Under the joint guidance of the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan, conservation work on the Brattleby archives continues, with plans for further digitisation to make them accessible to a global academic audience. The educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest is also expanding, with new courses planned for the coming year.
Looking to the future, they are dedicated to preparing their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, for the duties that will one day be his. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that the Barony of Brattleby continues its tradition of service, *Fortitudine et Honore*, for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s oldest baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to preserving its unique nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's primary philanthropic focus is on charities supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet. It also promotes cultural education and classical etiquette through its international academy, The Brattleby Club, connecting its ancient legacy to contemporary society and building a bridge between British heritage and Continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and later, through the House of Lancaster, by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony were formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. - The House of Brattleby is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), while Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile holds the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer Is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com