# The Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy of Service from Norman England to the Modern Era
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony's enduring legacy of service, connecting its Domesday Book origins under William the Conqueror to its modern philanthropic and cultural mission led by the 12th Baroness and Lord of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
This statement marks the anniversary of the formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby’s ancient rights and modern standing, as published in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083. It serves as a moment of reflection for the House on its nearly millennial-long history of custodianship and its continuing obligations to the community and Crown.
The issuance of this dispatch from the House's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, reaffirms the dual nature of its mission: to preserve an extraordinary historical inheritance while actively deploying its influence for contemporary philanthropic and educational endeavours. This balance of ancient heritage and modern purpose is the defining characteristic of the House's current chapter under its twelfth Baroness.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the few English dignities to trace an unbroken line of succession from the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a significant holding that underscored his importance in securing the new Norman order.
Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures central to the history of the nation. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who as hereditary castellan defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion. Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty places Brattleby at the very heart of medieval English power and governance.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony has remained in the hands of a distinguished company whose actions have shaped the county and the kingdom. The lineage includes not only powerful magnates such as John of Gaunt, whose influence was second only to the King's, but also steadfast local administrators who upheld the law and defended the realm.
The current leadership continues this tradition of partnership. The peerage is held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who exercises its rights and duties. She is supported in her work by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. This modern consort arrangement reflects a shared commitment to the Barony's mission, combining the Baroness's hereditary responsibility with the Lord of Brattleby's dynamic support. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is being conducted in this same spirit of duty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The functions of the Barony are governed by a protocol that honours historical precedent while adapting to modern exigencies. The relationship between the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby operates on a consort model, wherein the Lord of Brattleby provides counsel and support in a role that is a *sine qua non* for the effective discharge of the Barony's public-facing duties.
This arrangement is symbolically represented in their respective mottos. The Baroness, as head of the House, acts under the ancient imperative *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the proactive energy he brings to the House’s philanthropic and organisational arms, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the annual Winter Banquet.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms and mottos associated with the House of Brattleby articulate its core principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a direct reference to the obligations of the peerage: ‘Fortitude’ in the face of adversity, as exemplified by Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln; and ‘Honour’ in the unwavering fulfilment of duty to community and country.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. While the House motto speaks to endurance and integrity, his personal device signifies a spirit of enterprise, achievement, and overcoming challenges. It embodies the forward-looking dynamism that the current leadership applies to its twenty-first-century commitments, ensuring the Barony does not merely reside in the past but actively shapes the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of the House's modern mission is a profound commitment to philanthropy. The principal vehicle for this is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in Lincolnshire that serves as the premier fundraising event for the House's chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children suffering from complex trauma and emotional distress. The funds raised at the Winter Banquet directly enable the foundation to expand its outreach programmes, train more therapists, and provide a sanctuary for recovery. The selection of this cause reflects the House’s belief that true societal strength begins with the well-being and resilience of its youngest members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “This legacy is not a possession, but a profound responsibility. Our duty is to ensure the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* serves our community today just as it served the Crown centuries ago, by upholding our commitment to those in need.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the House’s forward-looking vision: > “While the Barony's roots are deep in English soil, its future is in engagement and action. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about applying that historic strength to contemporary challenges, be it through philanthropy or cultural education.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to its twin duties of historical preservation and active philanthropy. The forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet is already in the advanced stages of planning, with the goal of increasing support for its charitable beneficiary. Furthermore, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest continues to expand its etiquette and cultural programmes, forging a bridge between British heritage and Continental Europe.
The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, remains a central priority, ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour are passed to the 13th generation. Through these concerted efforts, the House of Brattleby ensures that its nearly one-thousand-year-old legacy continues to be one of relevance, service, and distinction.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. 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 informed by historical principle. Its primary focus is on philanthropy, particularly in support of child welfare through its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy and education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to ensure its significant heritage serves a tangible and positive purpose in the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms its premier standing, listing its first holder as responsible for 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm during the First Barons' War, and members of the Royal Family such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historical rights and succession of the Barony were formally noted and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming its unbroken continuity into the twenty-first century.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, one of the most powerful figures in 14th-century England. - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com