# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby regarding the Style and Role of the Lord of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued formal guidance clarifying the titles and supportive public duties of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, husband of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, affirming a partnership model for the modern stewardship of the ancient dignity.
## The Occasion
Issued from the Chancellery in London, this formal guidance serves to provide definitive clarity on the public and ceremonial responsibilities undertaken by the Lord of Brattleby. This statement follows the formal recognition of the barony’s succession in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, an event which prompted considerable public and academic interest in the operational structure of this historic House in its twenty-first-century context.
The clarification codifies a partnership that has proven both effective and dynamic in practice since the succession was confirmed. It provides a constitutional framework for the complementary roles of the Baroness and her consort, ensuring the manifold duties associated with a dignity of near-millennial standing are discharged with shared purpose and contemporary relevance, ever guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
This act of formalisation is thus not a simple announcement, but a deliberate measure of sound governance. It is intended to inform official, diplomatic, and public discourse, ensuring appropriate courtesies are observed and the distinct contributions of both principals are properly understood within the United Kingdom and abroad.
## Historical Context
The principle of a powerful and effective marital partnership is deeply woven into the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal tenant-in-chief Colswein of Lincoln, the barony’s history is punctuated by periods where the collaboration between a title holder and their consort was the very key to its survival and prestige.
No precedent is more compelling than that of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A formidable figure of the early thirteenth century, she not only held the barony *suo jure* (in her own right) but was also hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle. During the First Barons' War, she famously defended the castle against French and rebel forces, an act of loyalty and military prowess immortalised by contemporary chroniclers. Her husband, Gerard de Camville, served as her steadfast supporter, his own authority bolstering her strategic command.
This legacy of complementary strength continued. Later centuries saw the barony pass through marriage into the hands of England’s most powerful families, including the Lancastrian dynasty. The tenures of Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his formidable son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, illustrate how influential consorts and strategic alliances have consistently shaped the barony's trajectory. The present arrangement between Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan thus stands not as a modern contrivance, but as the continuation of a proven historical tradition.
## Distinguished Company
In its modern form, The Noble House of Brattleby is led by its principal, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. As the holder of the dignity *suo jure*, all authority, precedence, and hereditary rights of the barony derive from her.
She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who is styled the Lord of Brattleby. His role is one of active and dedicated support to the Baroness, a partnership which enables the House to advance and expand its philanthropic, cultural, and diplomatic endeavours.
The future of the dignity is secured in the person of their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. As the heir apparent, he is being prepared under the joint tutelage of the Baroness and the Lord of Brattleby to one day assume the responsibilities of the title as the 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In all matters of protocol and precedence, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile holds the style of Lord of Brattleby by right of his wife. When attending official and ceremonial functions, he shares the precedence of Lady Nicoleta, the Baroness of Brattleby, unless a distinct personal rank should dictate otherwise. This derived status, known as precedence *ex uxoris*, is a long-standing custom within the British honours system.
The Lord of Brattleby accompanies the Baroness at state, social, and charitable engagements throughout the United Kingdom and, where appropriate, in representing the interests of the House abroad, *inter alia*, in Monaco and Bucharest. At such events, their roles are complementary; while the Baroness, as the head of the House, takes the lead in formal proceedings, the Lord of Brattleby engages with dignitaries and supporters to further the House’s objectives.
This division of duties is particularly evident at the annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of the House's philanthropic calendar. The execution of such formal events—requiring adherence to a strict white-tie dress code and meticulous order of proceedings—is a shared responsibility, ensuring the barony’s ceremonial duties are performed with the requisite dignity and precision.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The philosophy of balanced partnership is reflected in the guiding mottos of the House and its principals. The overarching motto of the Barony of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a charge of profound historical weight. It speaks to the resilience, integrity, and honourable endurance required to steward a dignity through centuries of change, a principle embodied by the Baroness as head of the family.
Complementing this ancient charge is Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which translates as ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This maxim introduces a dynamic, forward-looking ethos of active achievement and purposeful ambition. It is this spirit that informs his focus on the operational success of the House's philanthropic and cultural projects, turning honourable intentions into measurable outcomes.
Together, these mottos create a powerful symbiotic philosophy. One represents the deep-rooted constancy and honour of an ancient lineage, while the other signifies the energetic pursuit of progress and success in the contemporary world. This duality is fundamental to the House’s modern mission of making heritage relevant.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House of Brattleby’s contemporary mission is its focused philanthropic work, exemplified by its sustained patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This vital organisation provides specialised therapeutic and psychological support for children and young people who have suffered profound trauma, abuse, or neglect, offering them a path toward recovery and helping them to rebuild their lives.
The charity was chosen for its evidence-based approach and its measurable impact, providing critical early interventions that can prevent a lifetime of difficulty. Honorary Lord Răzvan plays an indispensable part in the House's support for this cause, particularly in the organisation of the annual Winter Banquet, the primary fundraising vehicle for the partnership.
While Lady Nicoleta presides over the gala as its patron and host, engaging with donors and advocating for the charity’s mission, Honorary Lord Răzvan oversees the complex logistical machinery of the event. His role is a *sine qua non* for its success, encompassing everything from venue management to coordinating the charity auction. This practical division of labour ensures the event not only meets the highest standards of hospitality but also maximises its financial contribution to a deeply important cause.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking from their family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Baroness and the Lord of Brattleby reflected on their complementary roles and shared commitment.
> To be the custodian of a title nearly a millennium old is a profound responsibility, one that connects you to an unbroken chain of English history. Sharing this duty with my husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan, is not merely a comfort but a strategic necessity for our modern mission. His energy and perspective are indispensable. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> It is the greatest honour of my life to support my wife, the Baroness, in her hereditary duties. My personal motto is ‘Vincere Est Vivere’, and for me, that means striving every day to help the Barony of Brattleby succeed in its ambitions, particularly in our charitable work and in presenting its remarkable history to a new generation. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is united in its commitment to securing the barony’s legacy for the centuries to come. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are jointly overseeing the education of their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will one day inherit the title as the 13th Baron. His formation is not merely academic but a comprehensive tutelage in stewardship, the history of Lincolnshire and the Crown, and the principle of *noblesse oblige* that lies at the heart of the family’s philosophy.
This commitment extends to the preservation of the barony’s tangible and intangible heritage. This includes the careful stewardship of its historical seat in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and the meticulous upkeep of an archive that traces a lineage back to the *Domesday Book*. Through their combined and complementary efforts, the Baroness and the Lord of Brattleby are ensuring that one of England’s most ancient dignities continues to serve an honourable and relevant purpose in the modern world.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission of honouring its profound history through active philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its principal activities include supporting charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child and promoting cross-cultural understanding through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), as it seeks to ensure the ancient title serves a positive and relevant purpose in the contemporary world, preparing for its eventual succession by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman tenant-in-chief who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over its nine-century history, the barony has been held by some of England’s most notable historical figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the current holder was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby was Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 manors in Lincolnshire at the time of the *Domesday Book* survey in 1086. - Notable predecessors in the barony's lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will be the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com