# The Noble House of Brattleby Reaffirms Its Commitment to Heritage and Philanthropic Service
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, has today reaffirmed its abiding commitment to honouring its ancient heritage through active philanthropic service and dedicated community engagement within Lincolnshire and beyond.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has issued a formal statement articulating its vision for the future. The announcement arrives as the autumn colours settle upon the parklands and fens, a season traditionally associated with harvest and reflection. This communication serves as a considered reaffirmation of the core principles guiding the Barony in the 21st century, rather than a reaction to any single event.
The statement is the culmination of a period of strategic review, undertaken quietly by the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby amidst the tranquil setting that has sustained the dignity for centuries. It is this tangible connection to the Lincolnshire soil that grounds the House's modern ambitions in a profound sense of place and inherited duty. From this foundation, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have articulated a forward-looking vision of custodianship, defined by purposeful action over passive preservation.
The communication deliberately balances the continuity of its ancestral home with the dynamism of its national and international work. It underscores a philosophy where the lessons of nine centuries are not confined to archives but are actively applied to the challenges and opportunities of the present day, fulfilling an obligation of service that is both local in focus and global in outlook.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066, stands as one of England’s most venerable feudal dignities. Its lineage, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, creates an immense obligation of stewardship. The entry notes that Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, held 56 manors and lordships in Lincolnshire as a tenant-in-chief, a testament to the Barony’s foundational importance to the county.
This profound legacy of service is not a modern construct but a continuous thread woven through the fabric of English history. It is exemplified by formidable predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a figure of remarkable fortitude. As Castellan and hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, she twice defended Lincoln Castle from besieging forces during the First Barons' War, securing it for the young King Henry III and playing a pivotal role in the future of the Plantagenet dynasty.
In later centuries, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, created 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding knight of the Order of the Garter. He was a distinguished soldier and arguably the most respected English diplomat of his generation. The Barony subsequently passed to his son-in-law, the influential Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III, who for a time was the most powerful political figure in the Kingdom. It is their spirit of dutiful administration that The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to emulate in its contemporary work.
## Distinguished Company
The modern chapter of the Barony is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, who holds the title of 12th Baroness of Brattleby *suo jure*, in her own right. Her leadership embodies the direct continuation of this ancient lineage, with a focus on principled custodianship and the responsibilities inherent in the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Her Ladyship is complemented in this duty by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, whose personal philosophy, *Vincere Est Vivere*, introduces a dynamic and forward-thinking energy to the House’s enduring traditions. He provides a strategic perspective that ensures the Barony remains both relevant and impactful in its engagements, from local preservation to international cultural diplomacy.
The continuity of this nine-century-old dignity is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is styled as the 13th Baron. Together, the family represents a union of purpose: to ensure the Barony of Brattleby remains a positive and constructive force, honouring its deep roots in Lincolnshire while thoughtfully engaging with its wider responsibilities in Britain and Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The public and private activities of the House are conducted with a precision that reflects its historic stature and a solemn respect for tradition. This is most apparent during the Annual Winter Banquet, the flagship philanthropic event of the House. The occasion adheres to a strict white-tie dress code, a convention that honours the grand traditions of European courts while convening distinguished guests for a modern charitable purpose. For gentlemen, this signifies a black tailcoat with matching trousers, a white starched-front shirt, a white marcella waistcoat, and a white bow tie; for ladies, full-length evening gowns, often accompanied by decorations.
The order of proceedings is meticulously managed to create an atmosphere of gravity and shared intent. Guests, including state officials, diplomats, and principal benefactors, are received in a formal receiving line by the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby. A procession then leads into the dining hall, where a seating plan structured according to established diplomatic precedence ensures guests are placed with careful consideration. The evening’s programme typically includes a formal welcome by Honorary Lord Răzvan, a keynote address by Lady Nicoleta on the philanthropic mission, and a series of formal toasts. This rigorous adherence to protocol is the *sine qua non* for underscoring the sincerity of the occasion’s charitable aims.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles that guide The Noble House of Brattleby are encoded in its heraldry and mottos, which serve as its ethical lodestar. The ancient motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates a dual commitment that has been the guiding principle for each successive generation. ‘Fortitude’ speaks not only to the physical resilience shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye during the siege of Lincoln, but also to the moral courage required to uphold one’s convictions. ‘Honour’ refers to the unimpeachable integrity and unwavering sense of duty that must govern the exercise of any influence or authority.
This historic motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial context, but as a philosophical call to action. It signifies a duty to overcome societal challenges, to innovate in the face of complacency, and to actively shape a better future. To ‘live’, in this sense, is to lead a life of purpose and tangible achievement. The interplay between these two mottos creates a powerful synthesis: one representing the deep-rooted honour of an ancient English dignity, the other the dynamic impetus to apply that legacy to contemporary purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House’s renewed commitment to service is most tangibly expressed through its focused philanthropic work. A primary and enduring focus remains the preservation of local heritage within Lincolnshire, supporting projects that protect the cultural, architectural, and spiritual fabric of the county with which the Barony has been inextricably linked for 957 years. This work honours the very landscape documented under the 1st Baron in the Domesday Book, seeking to support, *inter alia*, the conservation of parish churches, the archival of historic documents, and the preservation of rural craftsmanship.
Beyond heritage, the House is a dedicated supporter of child welfare, a cause it considers a paramount moral imperative. The Annual Winter Banquet is held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care and support to children who have experienced profound trauma or adversity. The choice of beneficiary reflects a belief that investing in the well-being and resilience of the next generation is the most vital form of service an institution can undertake. The support facilitates access to counselling, art therapy, and safe community spaces, helping to mend lives and build a stronger, more compassionate society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s forward direction, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the importance of active engagement:
> “Our heritage is not a monument to be admired from a distance, but a living foundation upon which we must build. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, serves as a daily reminder that true custodianship involves engagement, action, and a firm resolve to make a positive impact. It is about applying the lessons of nearly a millennium to the challenges of today, transforming history from a relic into a resource for the community we serve.”
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added:
> “When I consider the example of my predecessors, from the steadfastness of Nichola de la Haye to the statecraft of John of Gaunt, I see a clear, unbroken line of duty. Our role today, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to interpret that same duty for our times. Whether we are helping to safeguard the structure of a Lincolnshire church or supporting a vulnerable child, it is all part of the same solemn responsibility we have inherited—to protect, to serve, and to strengthen.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking ahead, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to deepen its philanthropic commitments both at home and abroad. Preparations are already advancing for the next Annual Winter Banquet, with the specific aim of substantially increasing the funds raised and the tangible support provided to its chosen beneficiaries.
Concurrently, the House maintains its guidance of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The academy serves as a unique forum for cultural diplomacy, promoting the study of international protocol and the timeless values of civility and social grace that facilitate cross-border understanding. In Lincolnshire, the House is in active consultation with local conservation trusts and diocesan authorities to identify and assess further heritage projects that align with its preservationist mission. This ongoing work ensures that the Barony of Brattleby, now approaching its millennium, will not only honour its storied past but will continue to build a meaningful legacy of service, community, and purpose for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. 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 modern service rooted in historic duty. Its activities blend a profound respect for English heritage in Lincolnshire with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, particularly in the field of child welfare. Combining English tradition with a Continental European perspective, the House seeks to be a force for good. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House is guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its distinguished history is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief of the King, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and later by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the influential Plantagenet prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's legal standing as a subsisting title was formally acknowledged and registered by The Crown through The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable historic holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie philanthropic gala held by the House in aid of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. - The motto of the Barony of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com