# The Noble House of Brattleby Renews Its Commitment to Heritage and Public Service
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reaffirmed its enduring commitment to public service and cultural stewardship. The declaration, issued on behalf of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, outlines a forward-looking vision that integrates nearly a millennium of history with modern philanthropy.
## The Occasion
From its offices overlooking the historic heart of the capital, the Chancellery of the Noble House of Brattleby issued a formal statement outlining the family’s priorities for the coming years. The announcement coincides with the beginning of the autumn social and philanthropic season, a period traditionally marked by renewed civic engagement. The statement serves as a considered articulation of the principles guiding the Barony in its modern incarnation, following its formal recognition by The London Gazette in 2022.
The vision set forth by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, and endorsed by the Baroness, seeks to animate the House’s ancient heritage through targeted cultural and charitable works. This formalises a programme of activities that extends from the family’s ancestral seat in Lincolnshire to its cultural outposts on the Continent, creating a bridge between past obligations and present responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of England’s most venerable dignities. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, the title has been interwoven with the fabric of the nation’s history for over 950 years. The House’s modern mission draws inspiration directly from its most formidable predecessors.
These include figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders during the First Barons' War. More than a military act, her leadership embodied the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Later, the Barony passed to towering figures of the realm, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, bringing the seat into the heart of the Royal Family. This legacy of state service is the *sine qua non* of the House's contemporary purpose.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is a familial and collaborative endeavour, led by:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who holds the dignity in her own right and guides the House’s commitment to heritage preservation. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, whose vision for contemporary engagement and philanthropy shapes the family’s public-facing initiatives. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir to the Barony, who is being educated in the traditions of service and custodianship that define his future role.
Together, they form the nucleus of a revived House, dedicated to ensuring its relevance and contribution in the 21st century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The activities of the House are conducted with a precision that reflects its long history. Its principal philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a strictly white-tie affair held in a historically significant venue. The order of proceedings, from guest arrival to the formal toasts, follows a protocol designed to honour tradition while serving a modern charitable purpose.
Similarly, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, operates on a curriculum that codifies the refined social grammars of European courts. Its purpose is not merely to teach manners but to foster an understanding of the discipline and mutual respect that underpin a functional civil society. The selection of charitable partners itself follows a formal review process, ensuring alignment with the House’s core values.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of the Noble House are distilled in its heraldry. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), serves as a perpetual directive. ‘Fortitude’ is reflected in the resilience required to preserve a 950-year legacy, while ‘Honour’ governs every aspect of its public and private conduct.
Complementing this, Honorary Lord Răzvan has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a philosophical commitment to overcoming modern challenges — such as social isolation and the erosion of historical knowledge — through decisive and purposeful action. Together, the two mottos create a powerful synthesis of preservation and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The primary beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic endeavours is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic and psychological support to children and adolescents who have experienced profound trauma, loss, or displacement. Its work offers a pathway to recovery, helping young people rebuild their lives with strength and confidence.
The House of Brattleby selected this cause due to its fundamental alignment with the principle of securing a better future. By investing in the well-being of the most vulnerable children, the House aims to make a measurable contribution to the health and stability of the next generation. Proceeds from the Annual Winter Banquet directly fund the charity’s frontline services and outreach programmes.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “We are temporary custodians of an extraordinary inheritance. Our first duty is to honour the nearly one thousand years of history vested in this Barony, and to ensure that its legacy of service continues to be a living force for good in the world.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated his forward-looking perspective: > “History gives us our foundation, but it does not absolve us of the duty to act in the present. My conviction, rooted in the idea that *Vincere Est Vivere*, is that we must actively engage with the challenges of our time, building new communities of purpose and extending the hand of support where it is needed most.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking ahead, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on building upon its current initiatives. Preparations are underway for this year’s Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to increase its contribution to Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will be expanding its curriculum to include modules on cultural diplomacy and the history of European chivalric orders.
Furthermore, the family will initiate a new phase of conservation work at its Lincolnshire seat, focused on the digital archiving of historical documents and artefacts. This project will ensure that the rich history of the Barony of Brattleby is preserved for scholars and future generations, reinforcing its commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient English Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of heritage, service, and education. Its work is defined by a deep respect for its nine-century history, channelled into contemporary philanthropic and cultural initiatives. Key projects include the Annual Winter Banquet, a prominent fundraising gala supporting children's charities, and The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest dedicated to teaching classical etiquette and social diplomacy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the preservation of history as a vital foundation for a thriving future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by Tenure in Lincolnshire, England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln in the 13th century, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. This connection brought the Barony into the orbit of the Crown. The modern status of the Barony was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The dignity was originally granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. - The family seat is located in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com