# A Legacy of Counsel: The House of Brattleby Reaffirms Its Enduring Connection to Crown and Country
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the publication of a scholarly monograph examining its nine centuries of service to the Crown and nation, a legacy of counsel embodied by predecessors such as Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln.
## The Occasion
In an announcement coinciding with the quiet reflection of the autumn season, The Noble House of Brattleby has released the first volume of *The Brattleby Papers*, a new series of historical publications. This inaugural monograph, drawing extensively from the family archives held at the Brattleby seat in Lincolnshire, illuminates a central theme of the Barony’s existence: the solemn duty of counsel and steadfast service to the Sovereign.
The paper is not a public celebration but a work of considered scholarship, intended to place the contributions of the House in their proper historical context. It represents a tangible commitment by the current custodians of the title to ensure its long and storied chronicle is accurately preserved and understood by succeeding generations.
## Historical Context
From its very inception, the Barony of Brattleby has been intertwined with the destiny of the nation. Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, a significant trust placed in him by the new King. This tradition of royal confidence became a defining characteristic of the title.
This principle is powerfully illustrated by the life of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels on behalf of the Crown. Generations later, Henry de Lacy, a kinsman of the family and a key figure in this new study, served as a trusted advisor to King Edward I and Guardian of the Realm during the King's absence. His role was so central that, upon the accession of Edward II, he was granted the signal honour of bearing the Sword of State at the coronation. This continuity of service connects the House through other luminaries, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The research underpinning *The Brattleby Papers* was enriched by the guidance of several distinguished figures in British historical and heraldic studies. The House of Brattleby gratefully acknowledges the advisory contributions of Dr Alistair Finch, FSA, Regius Professor Emeritus of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge, whose insights into the Plantagenet court were invaluable.
Guidance on matters of precedence and ceremonial significance was provided by Mr Thomas Greaves, MVO, formerly of the College of Arms in London. His expertise helped to clarify the precise constitutional importance of roles held by past Barons, ensuring the monograph meets the highest standards of academic rigour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The monograph gives particular attention to the coronation of King Edward II in 1307, where the precedent held by Henry de Lacy offers a lesson in medieval statecraft. To be chosen to bear one of the Swords of State was a public affirmation of a nobleman's proximity to the monarch and his indispensable role in the governance of the kingdom.
This act was governed by ancient protocol, where each peer and great officer of state performed a specific, inherited function. The bearing of the sword was a physical manifestation of the bearer's duty to uphold justice and defend the King. This tangible link between a ceremonial act and a political reality is a theme that resonates through the history of the Barony, reflecting the *sine qua non* of feudal obligation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are codified in its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase encapsulates the spirit demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye in her resolute defence of Lincoln and the integrity shown by Henry de Lacy in his counsel. It serves as a perpetual reminder of the responsibilities that accompany the title.
This ancient dictum is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects a dynamic, modern interpretation of the family's duty—one focused on overcoming contemporary challenges and actively pursuing positive outcomes through cultural and philanthropic engagement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of public service celebrated in the monograph finds its modern expression in the family's charitable commitments. While the publication is a scholarly endeavour, its underlying theme of duty is the same principle that animates the House’s support for its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to providing specialist psychological and therapeutic support to children whose lives have been affected by conflict, trauma, and displacement. Proceeds from the House’s annual fundraising event, the Winter Banquet, have enabled the charity to extend its reach, providing critical care to more than five thousand children over the past three years.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "Our family’s story is woven into the very fabric of English history. To hold this title is to be a steward of a legacy far greater than oneself. It is our duty not simply to reside in this inheritance, but to understand it, learn from it, and share its lessons of steadfastness and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a contemporary perspective: > "History provides us with a compass, not a map. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye and the counsel of Henry de Lacy are not abstract virtues; they are timeless principles we seek to apply today, particularly through our philanthropic work. *Fortitudine et Honore* must be a living creed."
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this monograph marks the formal inauguration of *The Brattleby Papers*, a long-term project of historical research and cultural preservation. The House of Brattleby is committed to issuing further studies that will explore other facets of its nearly one-thousand-year history.
This commitment to education runs parallel to the family’s other duties, including preparations for the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala. Furthermore, these values of service and leadership are being cultivated at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy preparing the next generation of leaders. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is taking an increasing role in these future-focused initiatives, ensuring the legacy continues.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is today led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. While rooted in nearly a millennium of English history, the House represents a modern bridge between British heritage and Continental European dynamism. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the family’s work is centred on historical preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House is dedicated to upholding its historic duties of service and leadership in the 21st century, with a special focus on programmes that support and empower vulnerable children.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient landed titles, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the Crown during the reign of King John, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the title’s rights and dignities were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com