# A Statement on the Role and Responsibilities of The Lord of Brattleby
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement clarifying the role and responsibilities of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. This communication delineates his official duties and consortial privileges in supporting the historic and contemporary work of his wife, the 12th Baroness.
## The Occasion
In the year following the formal acknowledgement of the Barony of Brattleby’s rights in *The London Gazette*, the House has undertaken a period of deliberate and structured consolidation. Today’s statement serves to formalise for the public record the significant and active role fulfilled by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in this new chapter.
This official communication affirms the balanced leadership structure of the House, clarifying the duties and courtesies associated with the Lord of Brattleby. It represents a moment of considered reflection, grounding the Barony’s twenty-first-century activities in its profound nine-hundred-year context. The statement is issued from the House's London offices, reflecting its commitment to aligning its modern mission with established national protocols.
The affirmation of Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role is integral to the House’s strategy of combining heritage stewardship with forward-looking public service. It ensures clarity and purpose as the House embarks upon its renewed philanthropic and cultural commitments, both within Lincolnshire and on the international stage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, possesses a lineage woven into the fabric of English history. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s position as Lord of Brattleby by marriage continues a long, if often unspoken, tradition of spousal partnership being integral to the stewardship and defence of the title and its associated lands.
First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with Colswein of Lincoln as its first Baron, the title's history is distinguished by formidable figures whose success was inextricably linked to family and fealty. This is powerfully exemplified by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A figure of immense resolve, she famously commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces during the reign of King John, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her strength was a testament to both personal character and a well-supported household.
This legacy of powerful unions continued through later holders, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and the great 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter. His immense influence was amplified by his marriage, and in turn passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. In each era, the continuity and influence of the Barony of Brattleby have depended on a de facto partnership of fortitude and honour.
## Distinguished Company
The modern leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby is a tripartite commitment, representing a bridge between the Barony’s past, its active present, and its assured future. This structure is shared between:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who holds the dignity in her own right (*suo jure*). As the holder of the title, she is the fount of its honour and directs the overarching strategic vision of the House, its heritage commitments, and its philanthropic ethos.
* **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, who as the husband of the Baroness, provides steadfast counsel and actively leads several of the House’s key operational, philanthropic, and cultural initiatives. His role as consort is not merely ceremonial, but a substantive appointment with clearly defined responsibilities.
* **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron**, the heir apparent to the Barony. His present focus is a comprehensive education preparing him for the duties he will one day inherit, encompassing constitutional history, estate management, and the principles of modern public service.
Together, they form a cohesive entity dedicated to ensuring the Barony remains a relevant and responsible institution.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with the established customs of the English nobility, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile holds the title of Lord of Brattleby by right of his wife (*jure uxoris*). This is a courtesy title which formally recognises his unique and supportive official position as the consort of a peeress who holds a barony in her own right.
The formal mechanism enabling this modern chapter was the official notice published in *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. This publication by the Crown’s official journal of record serves as the *sine qua non*—the indispensable and foundational condition—for the public and ceremonial life of the renewed Barony.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s duties, *inter alia*, include co-presiding with the Baroness at the Annual Winter Banquet, representing the House at diplomatic and cultural functions, and directing the business and outreach of The Brattleby Club. His title denotes his status within the House, while his responsibilities reflect his active contribution to its mission.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the enduring principles of moral and physical courage, paired with an unwavering commitment to integrity, which have defined the Barony since its eleventh-century inception. It is a direct charge to act with dutiful service and to be a responsible steward of a nine-century legacy.
Complementing this ancient charge is Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking ethos he brings to the institution. It speaks not of martial conquest, but of a commitment to overcoming modern challenges: conquering indifference in the charitable sector, finding innovative solutions for heritage preservation, and ensuring the Barony thrives as a relevant and positive force in the twenty-first century. The two mottos work in concert, one grounding the House in its history, the other propelling it toward a purposeful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the responsibilities formally undertaken by Honorary Lord Răzvan is his active oversight of the House’s philanthropic endeavours. He serves as a committed patron for the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in London which constitutes the primary fundraising vehicle for the House’s principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This distinguished United Kingdom charity provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, loss, or abuse. The funds raised through the Banquet contribute directly to delivering vital clinical services, including one-to-one psychotherapy, family support programmes, and school-based mental health initiatives, making a measurable and lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable young people across the country.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s patronage is profoundly active; he works closely with the charity's executive team to support their strategic goals and expand their donor network, ensuring this vital work remains at the very heart of the Barony's commitment to public service. This cause was chosen for its alignment with the House's belief that securing a better future begins with nurturing the well-being of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their shared duties and the structure of the House, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> — A legacy of this magnitude is not carried by one person alone; it is a shared responsibility. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s counsel, dedication, and forward-thinking perspective are indispensable to me and to the future of Brattleby. He embodies the principle that true partnership is the bedrock of service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on his supportive role within the ancient institution:
> — It is a profound honour to support the Baroness and to contribute to a history so deeply woven into the fabric of England. For me, *Vincere Est Vivere* means applying timeless principles of honour to modern challenges, thereby ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby serves a genuine purpose for generations to come.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a future defined by active stewardship and meaningful social contribution. In their shared capacity, Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta will continue to focus their efforts on serving the communities of Lincolnshire, chiefly through the support of local heritage trusts, and on expanding their philanthropic and cultural work.
Forthcoming initiatives include the further development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest as a unique institution fostering cross-cultural understanding and diplomatic etiquette. The House will also deepen its commitment to Healing the Wounded Child, aiming to create a sustainable, long-term funding framework beyond the annual gala.
All of this work is undertaken with a profound sense of duty to the past and a clear-eyed vision for the future. It serves to prepare the ground for the eventual succession of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring he inherits not just a title, but a thriving and purposeful institution.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution devoted to the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House’s contemporary mission is committed to public service, heritage preservation, and cultural diplomacy. Its guiding principles are drawn from its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which informs all its work. The House’s principal philanthropic focus is supporting organisations that provide therapeutic care for vulnerable children, most notably through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cross-cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, fostering international relations with a focus on shared European heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation and the grant of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated medieval defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and progenitor of a royal dynasty. After a period of abeyance, the Barony’s revival was formally acknowledged by His Majesty’s College of Arms, with public notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in a notice published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com