# The Lord of Brattleby and the Continuity of a Norman Barony
**LONDON, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement clarifying the role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, husband of the 12th Baroness. He serves alongside Lady Nicoleta Vasile in the modern stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In response to sustained public and scholarly interest following the revival of the Barony of Brattleby, this communication serves to delineate the complementary roles of its current leadership. The offices of the House, from where this statement is issued, provide a considered setting for articulating the union of ancient tradition and modern partnership. This formal clarification is intended to provide a definitive account of the collaborative stewardship undertaken by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
The Barony, whose history is interwoven with the fabric of the nation, now moves forward under their joint aegis. This statement affirms a shared commitment to upholding the responsibilities inherent in a title granted nearly one millennium ago, ensuring its relevance and purpose are understood in the twenty-first century. It is an act of historical stewardship, communicated with the precision befitting the title's dignity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is one of the few feudalities of its era to persist into modern times. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a loyal Norman magnate, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony's foundational importance in the post-Conquest settlement of England. This forms the bedrock upon which nine centuries of history have been built.
Throughout the ages, the Barony has passed to figures of national significance. Its holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who as hereditary castellan defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion. It later came into the hands of Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This lineage places the Barony at the very centre of England's medieval power structure.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the title Lord of Brattleby by marriage, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile joins a distinguished, though often unrecorded, company of consorts and advisors who have supported the holders of the Barony. His role is one of shared enterprise, a tradition vital for the administration of significant estates and titles throughout history. He provides counsel and operational leadership, enabling the Baroness to focus on her duties as the title holder *suo jure*, or in her own right.
Among the guests at the House's annual functions, such as the Winter Banquet, are individuals who reflect this international and collaborative spirit. Previous attendees have included Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Radu of Romania and Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, underscoring the House's strong connections to the royal and noble families of Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol governing the Barony is rooted in English common law and nobiliary tradition. Lady Nicoleta Vasile holds the substantive title as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, with the succession secured for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. By right of his wife (*jure uxoris*), Honorary Lord Răzvan is styled Lord of Brattleby, a distinction that confers status and responsibility without altering the primary line of succession.
This arrangement mirrors historical precedents where the husband of a peeress in her own right provides essential support. At formal occasions, such as the white-tie Annual Winter Banquet, the order of precedence is strictly observed. The Baroness takes precedence, with the Lord of Brattleby at her side, presenting a unified public face for the House. Their collaborative duties, from receiving guests to addressing dignitaries, are a practical expression of their shared commitment.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is captured in its armorial bearings and mottos. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of the Barony since its inception. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the unwavering duty expected of its holders.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a philosophy of overcoming contemporary challenges through dynamism, strategic vision, and a determination to succeed. Together, the mottos symbolise the synergy of ancient honour and modern enterprise — a core tenet of the House's present-day mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House's modern activity is its philanthropic work. The joint stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan finds its most profound expression in their commitment to charitable causes. The Annual Winter Banquet, their principal philanthropic endeavour, is a gala held for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children suffering from trauma.
The choice of this beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the House's belief that a secure and healthy childhood is the *sine qua non* of a stable society. Funds raised at the banquet contribute directly to the charity's clinical services and outreach programmes, ensuring that vulnerable children receive the care necessary to heal and build resilient futures. The House's patronage provides both material support and raises significant public awareness.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their joint responsibilities, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a thousand years of English history. It is a profound responsibility, one that cannot be shouldered alone. My husband's partnership is indispensable in navigating the demands of the present whilst honouring the obligations of the past."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "My role is, first and foremost, to support the Baroness. While she is the vessel of this extraordinary lineage, I see my contribution as helping to build the structures that will carry its legacy forward — whether through our philanthropic work or educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on the future. With the succession secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, the continuity of the line is assured. The immediate future will see an expansion of the House's cultural and educational programmes, *inter alia*, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to classical etiquette and protocol.
Furthermore, Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta are overseeing a long-term conservation strategy for the historical assets associated with the Barony's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. This work will ensure that the physical heritage, like the title itself, is preserved with diligence and care for generations to come, fulfilling the promise of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity that directs the affairs 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 dedicated to a mission of 'Heritage in Action'. It seeks to protect and promote its nine-century history while engaging in contemporary philanthropic and cultural initiatives. The House's principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, funded through its Annual Winter Banquet. Through educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club, it aims to foster an appreciation for European cultural traditions. The House operates with a commitment to public service, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by or transmitted through some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights to the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness and securing its place in the modern age.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) lists the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. - The mottos of the House are *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and, for Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com