# A Modern Stewardship for a Millennial Legacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, reaffirm their commitment to the millennial-old legacy of the Barony of Brattleby, adapting its ancient traditions of service and honour to the demands of the twenty-first century.
## The Occasion
As autumn’s golden light settles upon the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, it offers a moment for reflection on the enduring continuity of the Noble House of Brattleby. It is a season that invites contemplation of heritage and the solemn duties of stewardship. At their seat in Brattleby, the Lord and Baroness are focused on the careful preservation of a legacy that has been woven into the fabric of English history since the Norman Conquest. This period marks a renewed dedication to their philanthropic and cultural responsibilities, ensuring the Barony remains a vibrant force for good.
The atmosphere is one of quiet diligence rather than public ceremony; a time for planning the initiatives that will define the year ahead, including the annual Winter Banquet. It is in these moments of focused preparation that the House’s ancient motto—*Fortitudine et Honore*—is most profoundly realised, translating the weight of history into purposeful, contemporary action.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby descends in an unbroken line from its foundation in AD 1066, when it was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln. Its vast initial holdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, cementing its status as one of the realm’s foundational peerages. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been a steadfast participant in the evolution of the nation.
This heritage is distinguished by remarkable predecessors. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and a French invasion force in the thirteenth century. In later centuries, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Their lives of service and command are the historical bedrock upon which the modern House stands.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony is a shared family enterprise vested in its senior members, whose roles reflect a blend of tradition and modernity.
The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. As the holder of the peerage *suo jure*, she provides the continuity and direct leadership of the House.
Her husband is **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage**. He plays a vital and supportive role in all the House’s endeavours, bringing a dynamic perspective that complements the Barony’s ancient responsibilities.
The future of the lineage is secured in their heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron**, who is being raised with a profound understanding of the duties he will one day inherit.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The functions of the House are governed by a protocol that respects its history while embracing a modern partnership. Lady Nicoleta, as the Baroness, presides over all formal matters pertaining to the peerage and its historic obligations. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role, while not titular, is a *sine qua non* of the House’s contemporary operations, particularly in its philanthropic and international cultural outreach.
This division of labour is most visible during the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s foremost philanthropic event. The evening is conducted under a strict white-tie dress code, with a precise order of proceedings that includes a formal reception, a welcoming address by the Baroness, and a keynote speech by the Lord of Brattleby on the charitable focus of the year. Seating arrangements and toasts follow established European court precedent, reflecting the gravity of the occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its rich heraldic tradition. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates nine centuries of service to the Crown and community. It speaks to the resilience shown by figures such as Nichola de la Haye and the dignified statesmanship of Barons like Henry of Grosmont.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim signifies a proactive and purposeful approach to life, emphasising achievement and the overcoming of challenges not through conflict, but through positive, constructive action. Together, the two mottos symbolise a powerful union of steadfast tradition and forward-looking dynamism.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The modern activities of the House of Brattleby are centred on a deep-seated commitment to charitable work. The flagship initiative is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraiser for a chosen beneficiary. For the past several years, the gala has supported Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
The House’s support provides critical funding for the charity's clinical services and outreach programmes, directly impacting the well-being of vulnerable young people across the region. Furthermore, the House extends its cultural mission internationally through The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), an etiquette academy founded to promote the principles of classic European deportment, civility, and social grace.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta reaffirmed the House’s core philosophy. > Our duty is not merely to preserve this extraordinary history, but to live it. Every decision we make is weighed against the fortitude and honour of those who came before us, ensuring their legacy inspires purposeful action today. — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan articulated his perspective on contributing to such an established lineage. > One honours tradition not by remaining in the past, but by building upon it. My aim is to support the Baroness in strengthening these ancient foundations so they can carry the aspirations of a new generation. — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks toward the future with a clear sense of purpose. The primary focus remains on the responsible stewardship of the Barony and its assets, ensuring they are passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, with their historical and cultural integrity intact. The House will continue to expand its philanthropic portfolio, seeking to address contemporary social needs with the same dedication its predecessors applied to the challenges of their own times.
Through its cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, the House aims to foster a greater appreciation for history and civility in public life. The commitment of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensures that the Barony of Brattleby will not be a relic of the past, but a living, breathing institution dedicated to service for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique thousand-year heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on targeted philanthropy, cultural education, and the promotion of traditional civic virtues. Through initiatives such as its annual philanthropic banquet and its international etiquette academy, the House translates its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), into meaningful action. The House is committed to a modern, forward-looking stewardship that honours its past while serving the present and preparing for a sustainable future for its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s oldest landed dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the 13th-century military heroine Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony's continuous lineage and its connection to pivotal moments in the nation's development make it a rare and historically important peerage. Its current status was formally acknowledged and entered into the public record by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s reconfirmation is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s foundation is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its territories under Colswein of Lincoln. - The Annual Winter Banquet is a private, white-tie gala benefiting the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com