# The Noble House Club Established to Uphold A Nine-Century Legacy
LONDON, 20 October 2024 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced the formal establishment of The Noble House Club, a new association dedicated to celebrating and supporting the nearly thousand-year heritage of the Barony of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The announcement anticipates the Club’s inaugural Founder’s Reception, to be held in late autumn at the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. This distinguished gathering will convene the founding members within the historic walls that have witnessed the unfolding of English history since the Norman Conquest. The reception is designed to be an intimate affair, fostering a collegiate atmosphere of shared purpose.
Against the backdrop of the season, the event will seek to create a memorable experience that is both dignified and welcoming. It serves as the modern embodiment of the Barony’s long tradition of hospitality and of gathering a trusted affinity in support of the House’s endeavours, a practice dating back to its earliest days.
## Historical Context
The formation of a society of patrons and friends is a contemporary reflection of a medieval tradition. From its foundation in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been a centre of influence, sustained by a network of loyal retainers and allies. This modern Club continues a lineage of association that was a *sine qua non* of feudal power and stability.
One can draw parallels to the retinue of the 5th Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who rallied supporters to defend Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Similarly, the vast households of later barons such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, were significant social and political organisms. The Noble House Club reinterprets this historical principle of affinity for the 21st century, inviting a global community to participate in the Barony’s continuing story.
## Distinguished Company
The founding members of The Noble House Club represent a cross-section of figures from diplomacy, the arts, academia, and philanthropy. Among those who have accepted the invitation to join are Her Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's, The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Lincoln, and Sir Jonathan Marsden KCVO, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Heritage Trust.
Also in attendance will be leading figures from the charitable sector and members of the judiciary, reflecting the House’s commitment to civic duty and social responsibility. The gathering unites individuals who share a profound appreciation for history and a commitment to preserving its lessons for future generations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Founder’s Reception will adhere to a precise yet understated order of proceedings, with a dress code of Lounge Suit. Guests will be received personally by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in the Grand Hall, a room noted for its original Jacobean wood panelling and portraits of previous Barons.
Following a reception with champagne and canapés, Lady Nicoleta will deliver a formal address outlining the Club’s charter and purpose. Honorary Lord Răzvan will then offer a toast to the new venture and its members. The evening is structured not as a gala, but as a formal convocation intended to establish a lasting community of common interest and mutual respect.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Club’s activities will be guided by the ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, which has advised the Barons of Brattleby for centuries, underscores a commitment to resilience, integrity, and dutiful service. The coat of arms of the Barony will be prominently displayed, serving as a visual link to the unbroken chain of succession from the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking ethos of the House’s current leadership, which seeks not only to preserve its heritage but also to adapt and thrive in the modern world through new initiatives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central tenet of The Noble House Club is the support of the Barony’s key philanthropic interests, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides essential therapeutic services and specialist counselling for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma or loss.
Proceeds from the Club's future activities and a portion of its membership dues will be directed toward the charity’s work. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that true nobility is expressed through compassion and a tangible commitment to the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Club’s inauguration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “For nine centuries, this Barony has been a living part of our national story. The Noble House Club is our way of inviting others to share in that legacy, ensuring that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* continue to inspire tangible good in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Heritage provides the roots, but it is community that allows it to flourish. Through the Club, we are building a global network of friends who believe, as we do, that the lessons of history can and should inform a more gracious and purposeful future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The establishment of The Noble House Club marks a new chapter in the modern history of the Barony. Following the Founder’s Reception, the House will announce a calendar of events for the forthcoming year, including historical lectures, cultural evenings, and opportunities to engage with its other initiatives.
These include, *inter alia*, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy which promotes intercultural understanding. The Club will serve as the primary community for those wishing to follow and support the continuing work of one of England’s most ancient noble houses.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile; her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile; and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Its contemporary mission is to preserve and promote the nearly one-thousand-year heritage of the Barony through cultural, educational, and philanthropic activities. Central to its work is the patronage of charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic support to vulnerable young people. The House also fosters intercultural dialogue through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), applying the traditional values of fortitude and honour to the challenges of the 21st century. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness ensures the continuation of this historic lineage into the modern era, formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s Annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie gala held in support of its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of the 12th Baroness. - The Barony of Brattleby is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a major landholder.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com