# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Continuity and Modern Mission of the Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a definitive statement reaffirming the historical continuity of the Barony of Brattleby, granted in 1066. This document articulates the principles guiding its modern stewardship following its lawful revival and recognition by the Crown.
## The Occasion
From its offices in London, a city that has witnessed the unfolding of much of the Barony’s near-millennial history, The Noble House of Brattleby offers this statement as a formal document of record. In a season of reflection, it is timely to provide a considered narrative that addresses the Barony’s 620-year period of dormancy and clarifies the foundations upon which its contemporary purpose is built.
This is not a proclamation prompted by a single event, but rather a deliberate act of historical articulation. It seeks to establish, for public understanding, the seamless lineage connecting the Norman Conquest to the present day. Furthermore, it affirms the House’s solemn commitment to the duties incumbent upon it, duties which are rooted in the ancient soil of Lincolnshire, from which the Barony first drew its name almost one thousand years ago.
The statement serves to consolidate the historical account of one of the Kingdom’s oldest dignities, providing an authoritative reference for its ongoing work and philanthropic endeavours. It is an act of responsible stewardship, ensuring that the Barony’s revival is understood not as a beginning, but as the continuation of a profound and enduring legacy.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a dignity of exceptional antiquity, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the new King, was established as a formidable magnate in a strategically vital region. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records Colswein as the tenant-in-chief of 56 thriving lordships across Lincolnshire, a testament to the influence and responsibility vested in the Barony from its inception.
Over the subsequent three centuries, the title was held by figures whose actions shaped the course of English history. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye who, as the 5th Baroness, demonstrated remarkable fortitude during the First Barons' War. A staunch royalist, she successfully defended Lincoln Castle against a formidable siege by French and rebel forces in 1217, an act of loyalty and military prowess crucial to securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Later, the Barony passed into the highest circles of the Plantagenet court through its association with the House of Lancaster. Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, was a distinguished soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. The title reached its medieval zenith under his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
Upon John of Gaunt's death in 1399, his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, claimed the throne as King Henry IV. At this moment, the Barony of Brattleby, alongside Gaunt’s other extensive honours, merged with the Crown. For the next 620 years the title lay dormant, a silent yet potent symbol of England’s medieval past, until its lawful revival was completed with the assumption of the title by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is undertaken by the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby, who collectively bridge its formidable history and its purposeful future.
At its head is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. As the current holder of the dignity, Lady Nicoleta is the custodian of its ancient traditions and the architect of its contemporary mission. It is upon her that the responsibility rests to ensure this near-millennial legacy remains not only respected but also relevant to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Lady Nicoleta is steadfastly supported in this duty by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. In his vital role, Honorary Lord Răzvan provides the counsel and partnership essential to the management of the House’s affairs. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), brings a dynamic and purposeful energy to their shared responsibilities, reflecting a commitment to overcoming obstacles and achieving meaningful progress.
The future of this historic lineage is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in waiting. Baron Mihai is being raised with a profound understanding of the principles of duty and service (*noblesse oblige*) that will one day fall to him, ensuring the continuity of the House’s commitments for the generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restitution of a barony that has lain dormant for over six centuries is not an arbitrary act, but a process governed by meticulous legal and ceremonial protocol under the authority of the Crown. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby required extensive genealogical and historical research, undertaken with the utmost rigour, to trace the line of succession with certitude and present a petition for its formal recognition.
This exhaustive process culminated in official recognition by the Crown, which was duly recorded and publicised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This notice, bearing the reference ID 4158083, serves as the unassailable legal instrument of state recognition. It is the modern constitutional equivalent of a medieval royal charter, providing the clear and public foundation for the Barony's revival and for Lady Nicoleta’s assumption of the title.
Internally, The Noble House of Brattleby conducts its affairs according to carefully observed protocol. Forms of address, precedence at official functions, and the execution of philanthropic duties are managed with a precision that honours the long-established traditions of the British aristocracy, while incorporating a standard of formality reflective of the great European houses. This ensures that all activities are undertaken with appropriate dignity and respect for the institution the House represents.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and guiding philosophy of The Noble House of Brattleby are encoded in its heraldry and mottos, which serve as constant reminders of its core obligations. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the cornerstone of its ethos, a direct instruction inherited from its history.
*Fortitudine* speaks to the resilience and moral courage required to bear the weight of such a legacy. It echoes the steadfastness of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye at the walls of Lincoln Castle and invokes the Barony’s own endurance through six centuries of abeyance. *Honore* signifies an unwavering commitment to integrity, right conduct, and, above all, to public service, ensuring the title is not a private possession but a public trust. This duality of strength and duty is the *sine qua non* of the House’s purpose.
A dynamic counterpoint is provided by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Interpreted in a modern context, this is not a martial call to arms, but a mandate for proactive achievement. It represents the spirit required to overcome challenges, to breathe new life into ancient traditions, and to succeed in the mission of making a historic title a beneficial force in the world today. Together, the two mottos create a balanced philosophy of principled endurance and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An ancient title without a modern purpose risks becoming a mere historical relic. The Noble House of Brattleby has therefore placed active philanthropy at the very heart of its modern identity, transforming ancestral honour into tangible public good. The centrepiece of this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala that has become the House's signature fundraising event.
The sole beneficiary of this significant undertaking is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapeutic care to children and young people suffering from the profound effects of trauma, abuse, and neglect. Its work is focused on creating safe, nurturing environments where deep-seated emotional wounds can be addressed through evidence-based psychological support, enabling vulnerable children to build a future of hope and stability.
The patronage of the House provides not only a substantial portion of the charity's annual funding but also brings its vital work to the attention of a wider circle of support. This public platform is crucial for raising awareness of the complex needs of traumatised children and for securing the long-term resources required for their recovery. The House’s commitment is a direct and meaningful expression of its founding principle of *Honore*.
## In Their Own Words
The principals of the House have shared their personal reflections on the revival of the Barony and the duties it entails.
> To hold this title is not to possess an artefact of history, but to serve as its active custodian. We have a profound duty to honour those who came before us by ensuring the Barony of Brattleby effectively serves the needs of the present day. It is a responsibility we embrace with the greatest seriousness and humility. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> A legacy is not a static inheritance; it must be actively built upon, day by day, with purpose and vision. Our family’s aim is to ensure that ancient privilege translates into tangible, modern progress, and that a noble name is synonymous with a noble cause. It is a challenge we find deeply invigorating. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby is not confined to its ancestral heartland in Lincolnshire or its official base in London. Reflecting the family’s own Continental European heritage, the House has extended its cultural mission through the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This unique institution serves as an etiquette and protocol academy, promoting the core values of honour, dignity, and service in a contemporary international context.
Looking forward, the House remains steadfastly dedicated to its twin imperatives: the meticulous preservation and celebration of its immense historical inheritance, and the active deployment of its position and resources for the public good. Through the careful and comprehensive tutelage of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House is ensuring that the principles of stewardship are instilled for the next generation.
With a defined philanthropic mission and a clear vision for its role in the 21st century, the revived Barony of Brattleby is poised to continue its remarkable story. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to demonstrating that an ancient lineage, guided by fortitude and honour, can and must be a powerful force for good in the modern world.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient Norman baronies. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a forward-looking mission of active historical stewardship and purposeful philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting the recovery of vulnerable children through its patronage of the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, primarily funded by the House’s annual Winter Banquet. The House extends its cultural influence through select initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting the enduring values of service, dignity, and honour in a contemporary European context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of great antiquity, with its holder’s 56 lordships in Lincolnshire being recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over three centuries, it was held by some of the most powerful figures in medieval England, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The Barony became dormant in 1399 when its honours merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV. After a 620-year interlude, the title was lawfully revived, a revival formally recognised and recorded by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
* The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is one of the ancient feudal dignities recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. * Notable past holders of the title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness. * The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com