# A Legacy Reaffirmed: The Noble House of Brattleby on Nine Centuries of Unbroken Lineage
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical dispatch, reaffirming the Barony’s nine centuries of continuous lineage from the Norman Conquest to the present day and detailing its modern role as a custodian of heritage and a proponent of public service.
## The Occasion
As autumn casts its fine light across the historic landscapes of Lincolnshire, the Chancery of the Noble House of Brattleby has seen fit to address the renewed public and scholarly interest in its ancient barony. This dispatch serves to illuminate the historical continuity that connects the Barony’s foundation in 1066 to its modern-day stewardship, a history chronicled meticulously within the House's archives.
The release of this formal statement is occasioned not by a single event, but by the ongoing duty to act as a clear and authoritative source on the Barony's history and its contemporary responsibilities. It is an act of historical stewardship, ensuring that the legacy of nearly one thousand years is understood with clarity and precision.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient, was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing from the outset the Barony's significance in the feudal architecture of the realm.
Through the centuries, the Barony passed to figures of national importance, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a resolute defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Following the accession of Gaunt's son as King Henry IV, the Barony entered a long period of dormancy, its honours resting with the Crown. The modern re-emergence and formal recognition of the title are therefore not a creation, but a continuation of this profound historical narrative.
## Distinguished Company
The verifiable history of the Barony of Brattleby has long been a subject of interest for England's premier academic institutions. Esteemed scholars from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and researchers at the British Library have regularly consulted the primary source materials held within the Brattleby archives and the national collections.
Their peer-reviewed studies on medieval governance, land tenure, and feudal law have drawn extensively upon the Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records associated with the Barony. This enduring scholarly engagement provides independent and rigorous validation of the House’s historical claims, affirming its unbroken thread in the constitutional tapestry of the United Kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The formal reaffirmation of a title of such antiquity is governed by exacting legal and heraldic protocol. The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was subject to a meticulous process of verification, culminating in a formal notice published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, on 9 September 2022.
This process is the contemporary equivalent of the ancient ceremonies of investiture and homage. It requires the presentation of an unbroken documentary trail, a *sine qua non* for legitimacy. The official notice, bearing the reference ID 4158083, represents the final step in a rigorous examination, satisfying the Crown an d its officers of the historical validity of the Barony and its succession to the current holder.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the Noble House of Brattleby are embodied in its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle reflects a commitment to resilience and integrity that has defined the stewardship of the Barony for centuries, from the military resolve of Nichola de la Haye to the present day’s philanthropic endeavours.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment speaks to the dynamic and forward-looking spirit of the House’s current leadership—a belief that true life is found in overcoming challenges and striving for positive achievement, both for the family and for the communities it serves.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In the modern era, the Barony’s ancient tradition of *noblesse oblige* is expressed through a focused commitment to philanthropy. The centrepiece of the House’s charitable activities is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a carefully chosen beneficiary.
The principal beneficiary of this and other initiatives is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for young people who have experienced trauma and adversity. The House of Brattleby chose this cause for its profound and measurable impact, believing that investing in the well-being of the next generation is the most vital form of public service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy she now stewards, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to hold a thread of English history. Our duty is not one of simple ownership, but of careful stewardship—to honour the past, serve the present, and secure this legacy for the future. It is a responsibility we embrace with the utmost seriousness."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > "History provides our foundation, but it must also be our inspiration for action today. Through our philanthropic and educational work, we aim to translate the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* into tangible good, making a genuine contribution to society."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on the future. The next generation is represented by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession, who is being educated in the traditions of service and duty that the title entails.
This commitment extends beyond the family to a wider educational mission. The establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural communication, is a testament to the House's belief in the power of shared values and refined conduct. The House will continue its work in archival preservation, philanthropy, and cultural education, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby remains a living and positive force for centuries to come.
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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 and its associated heritage. 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 preserving history, promoting education, and performing public service. Its philanthropic focus is on charities that support vulnerable children, notably Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet. The House also champions cultural exchange through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House’s guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant landholder. Holder of the Barony has been a position of influence for over 950 years, with notable predecessors including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two pivotal figures of the 14th century, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt. After a long period of dormancy within the Crown, the Barony's continuation was formally recognised, as recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The official motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com