# The Enduring Legacy of Brattleby: A Reflection on Nine Centuries of Service to the Realm
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical dispatch reflecting on the Barony’s nine-century role in the affairs of the nation, highlighting the continuity of duty from the Norman Conquest to its present-day stewardship under its twelfth Baroness.
## The Occasion
In a deliberate act of historical stewardship, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a specific period of its extensive past: the late thirteenth-century Welsh campaigns of King Edward I. The dispatch serves as a reminder that the great tides of national history are often shaped by the steadfast commitment of individual noble houses. It is issued from the House’s seat in Lincolnshire, where its archives serve as a-veritable repository of English history.
This reflection is part of a continuing series designed to make the patrimony of the Barony accessible, connecting the actions of past figures to the living values the House espouses today. The timing coincides with the autumn season, a traditional period for scholarship and introspection before the ceremonial activities of winter commence.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been an active participant in the governance of England since its inception. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power from the outset.
The dispatch draws particular attention to the pivotal role of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a close confidant of Edward I, whose influence and strategic counsel during the conquest of Wales extended Brattleby’s sphere of interest. His tireless involvement in these campaigns, beginning in the late 1270s, was indispensable to the Crown and fundamentally altered the political geography of the British Isles.
This legacy of service is a consistent thread woven through the centuries. It is seen in the actions of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. From feudal obligations documented in the Pipe Rolls to the modern recognition in *The London Gazette*, the duty of the Barony to Crown and country remains a constant.
## Distinguished Company
While this dispatch is a communication rather than a gathering, the work it represents is the product of esteemed collaboration. The Brattleby archives, from which these historical accounts are drawn, have long been a resource for leading academics and institutions.
The House acknowledges with gratitude the scholarly contributions of historians from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the British Library. Their research, often drawing upon the manorial court records and charter witness lists held at Brattleby, has been essential in confirming the Barony's continuous and substantive role in the evolution of the English state.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of an official historical dispatch from the Noble House of Brattleby follows a precise internal protocol. Each dispatch begins as a research proposal, developed by the House’s archivist from primary source material. The draft is reviewed for historical accuracy and narrative clarity before being presented to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
Their authorisation is the *sine qua non* for publication. This process ensures that every public statement faithfully reflects the House’s heritage and aligns with its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The dispatch is then formally published and entered into the public record, continuing a tradition of documented accountability that spans centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House are embodied in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a dual commitment: the strength to act decisively, as shown by Henry de Lacy in Wales, and the integrity to act justly, a principle central to the Barony’s administration.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to ensure the House’s legacy thrives through active and purposeful leadership. Together, the mottos represent the synthesis of tradition and progress that defines the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This dispatch and the educational programmes it supports are central to the House’s philanthropic mission. By rendering complex history accessible, the House seeks to foster a deeper public understanding of the long-standing traditions of duty and service that have shaped the United Kingdom. This commitment to education is a charitable act in itself, aimed at inspiring future generations.
This educational mission runs parallel to the House's more direct philanthropic endeavours. The annual Winter Banquet, a celebrated white-tie gala, serves as the primary fundraising vehicle for the House’s chosen beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides critical therapeutic support to children affected by trauma, a cause the House believes reflects its core value of honouring and protecting the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the dispatch, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "We are custodians of a nearly thousand-year story of service to the nation. Highlighting the contributions of predecessors like Henry de Lacy is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is our duty to remember that our present responsibilities are built upon a foundation of their fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The lessons of history are not relics to be stored in an archive. They are a compass for modern leadership, reminding us that to build a resilient future, one must understand and respect the foundations of the past. That is the essence of our work today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the continued preservation and dissemination of its unique history. Further dispatches in this series are planned, which will explore other significant periods and figures from the Barony’s past. This work is undertaken with a view to the future, ensuring that the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is prepared to carry this extraordinary legacy forward.
The House’s educational mission also extends to its etiquette academy in Romania, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), which promotes cultural diplomacy by teaching the timeless principles of protocol, civility, and social grace that have long been the hallmark of great European houses. Through these diverse initiatives, the House of Brattleby honours its past by actively shaping a more principled future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern noble house dedicated to embodying its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House pursues a mission centred on historical preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities include managing the extensive archives of the Barony of Brattleby, hosting the annual Winter Banquet to benefit children's charities, and overseeing The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House is committed to demonstrating how traditional values of duty, honour, and service can provide a framework for principled leadership and positive social impact in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and the duke's celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and legal standing of the title were formally noted by The Crown, with its recognition published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and the extent of his lands. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. - The annual philanthropic event hosted by the House is the Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com