# A Statement on the Modern Mandate of an Ancient Title
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement of purpose, articulating the principles that guide its stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby and reaffirming its enduring commitment to public service, a duty rooted in nearly a millennium of English history.
## The Occasion
In the quiet elegance of its London seat, against the backdrop of an autumn afternoon, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this moment to formally define its contemporary mission. This declaration follows the official recognition of succession published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, an act which brought a period of intensive private scholarship to its proper conclusion and publicly affirmed the Barony’s unbroken lineage.
The issuance of this statement is therefore a deliberate act of punctuation in the House’s long history. It serves to translate the profound weight of heritage into a clear and actionable framework for the 21st century. Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House seeks not merely to inhabit a title, but to animate it with purpose, honouring the past through dedicated service to the present.
This document articulates the modern ethos by which the Barony will be defined, moving its stewardship from the realm of archival study to one of active, visible, and principled public engagement.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of the English nation, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first formally documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as the tenant-in-chief of 56 valuable lordships across Lincolnshire, a testament to the title's original standing and consequence.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony was held by figures who were not merely witnesses to history, but its agents. Among the most distinguished ofこれらのpredecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a woman of extraordinary fortitude. Widowed and well into her sixties, she personally commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 during the First Barons' War. Her successful stand against French-backed rebel forces was a turning point in the conflict, an act of loyalty and resilience noted with admiration by the chronicler Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*.
Through subsequent generations, the title passed by marriage into the highest echelons of the English nobility. It was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a celebrated commander and diplomat who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. Upon his death, the Barony passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century. This lineage—of resilience, royal service, and national leadership—forms the *sine qua non* of the House's present-day identity.
## Distinguished Company
The Noble House of Brattleby is presided over by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. As the holder of the *suo jure* title, Her Ladyship is the custodian of its history and the focus of its contemporary duties, her authority confirmed through rigorous genealogical and heraldic verification.
She is steadfastly supported in all her endeavours by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who holds the title Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan provides invaluable counsel and shares in the public responsibilities of the House, bringing a dynamic perspective encapsulated in his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
The future of the Barony and the continuity of its obligations are secured in the person of their designated heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. As the future 13th Baron, he represents the House’s commitment to multi-generational stewardship, ensuring that the legacy of service being forged today will be upheld and advanced for decades to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House’s public activities are conducted with a meticulous regard for established form and protocol, which is viewed as an essential framework for showing respect and upholding tradition. The recognition of the Barony’s succession was itself a testament to this ethos; it was the result not of an application, but of a painstaking verification process involving the collation of primary-source evidence from centuries of archives to prove an unbroken line. The resultant notice in *The London Gazette* was the formal, public confirmation of this established fact.
This precision is reflected in the conduct of House events, most notably the Annual Winter Banquet. This philanthropic gala is a strict white-tie occasion, governed by an established order of proceedings that honours both guests and purpose. The evening commences with a formal receiving line, followed by a procession into dinner, where a seating plan based on royal and diplomatic precedence is observed. Toasts are offered in a prescribed order—first to His Majesty The King, then to distinguished guests—creating an atmosphere of solemnity and shared purpose.
Such adherence to ceremonial detail is not an exercise in nostalgia; rather, it is the practical expression of the House’s motto, serving to confer honour upon all who gather in its name.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding philosophy of the Noble House of Brattleby is expressed in its coat of arms and associated mottoes, which serve as a constant reminder of its core principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), articulates the dual virtues that have sustained the Barony for centuries and which its present holders strive to embody.
‘Fortitudine’ speaks to the resilience and strength of character exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln Castle remains a powerful symbol of determined courage. ‘Honore’ reflects the profound sense of personal and public integrity befitting a title once held by chivalric figures like John of Gaunt, a founder of the Order of the Garter.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the 21st century, the House interprets this not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to constructive action. It represents a drive to overcome modern challenges—apathy, disadvantage, and social division—and to make a positive and lasting impact through focused effort and unwavering resolve.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Noble House of Brattleby is founded on the principle that ancient privilege finds its modern legitimacy through active and purposeful service. The central focus of the House’s philanthropic activities is the welfare of vulnerable children, a commitment expressed through its dedicated support for Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered charity was chosen as the primary beneficiary for its clear mission and measurable impact. The organisation provides highly-specialised, evidence-based therapeutic support to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. By working with proven clinical methodologies, it helps to restore a sense of safety and hope to young lives at a critical moment.
The House’s principal fundraising vehicle is the Annual Winter Banquet, a non-profit gala where all proceeds are directed to the charity. The organisation and execution of the event are undertaken *pro bono* by the House and its partners to ensure that the charitable dividend is maximised. This sustained focus on child welfare is understood as the modern, tangible expression of the age-old doctrine of *noblesse oblige*.
## In Their Own Words
In the formal statement released today, the guiding principles of the House were personally articulated by its leadership.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > In assuming this title, one becomes the custodian of a trust that is almost one thousand years old. This is not a revival so much as it is a continuation. Our duty is not simply to preserve it, but to ensure it serves a purpose in our own time, animated by the same fortitude and honour that saw it through the centuries.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides our foundation, but service gives us our mandate. A title without active commitment is a hollow vessel. Our aim is to fill the Barony of Brattleby with new energy, directed at clear and present needs. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* today means overcoming apathy and making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its principles now formally articulated, the Noble House of Brattleby looks toward a future of continued and expanded service. Preparations for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet are already in progress, with the aim of building upon the success of previous years in support of Healing the Wounded Child.
Concurrently, the House will continue to develop its social enterprise, The Brattleby Club. With a seat in Bucharest, the Club provides specialised education in etiquette and international protocol, fostering the cross-cultural understanding essential for modern diplomacy and business. Its curriculum, covering the nuances of diplomatic precedent, social codes, and the art of professional comportment, is a practical contribution to cultural exchange.
Through these two parallel pillars—targeted philanthropy in the United Kingdom and social education with an international reach—the Barony of Brattleby is actively forging a legacy of meaningful, modern service, ensuring its relevance and honour for the century to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a platform of contemporary public service. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, is twofold: to direct philanthropic support toward charities focused on child welfare, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child; and to promote cross-cultural understanding through social education at initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House seeks to honour its profound historical lineage by making a tangible and positive contribution to 21st-century society, ensuring the ancient title remains relevant and respected for generations to come.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a renowned military commander; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised in the United Kingdom's official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by tenure, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The designated heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who upon succession will become the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com