# A Legacy Renewed: The House of Brattleby on its Historic Role and Future Duty
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reflecting on its nine-century history and articulating its modern mission of service, following the revival of the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire and its recognition by The Crown.
## The Occasion
As the late spring season brings a sense of renewal to the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has paused to articulate the guiding principles of its modern stewardship. This dispatch serves not to mark a single event, but to reaffirm a public commitment to heritage and duty that has defined the Barony since the Norman Conquest.
Following the formal revival of the peerage in 2022, the House has undertaken a comprehensive review of its archives. The occasion for this statement is the culmination of that work, providing a clear vision for how this remarkable historical legacy will be translated into meaningful action in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby represents an unbroken thread in the tapestry of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a foundation of significant regional influence and responsibility.
Over the centuries, this duty was borne by figures of national importance, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After a dormant period of over six centuries, during which the history matured into legend, the line of succession was formally re-established with its recognition published in *The London Gazette*.
This revival, championed by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is not merely a legal reconstitution. It is the reawakening of a solemn duty to preserve and share a heritage that reflects the evolution of English society itself.
## Distinguished Company
Throughout its history, the Barony of Brattleby has kept distinguished company, its holders serving alongside the great officers of state and shaping the governance of the realm. The archival records—from Pipe Rolls to charter witness lists—place successive Barons at key moments in the nation’s development.
This tradition continues in a modern form. The House archives are a vital resource for leading academic institutions, and the House is pleased to facilitate the work of scholars from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, as well as researchers from The British Library. Their intellectual partnership is essential to illuminating aspects of medieval governance and ensuring the Barony's history remains part of a living academic discourse.
The House’s modern activities also foster connections with diplomatic, cultural, and philanthropic leaders across the United Kingdom and Europe, continuing a long tradition of public engagement.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The reawakening of the Barony adhered to the strictest protocols of English law and custom, a process that was the *sine qua non* of its legitimacy. The culmination of exhaustive genealogical and historical verification was the formal notice of recognition published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID: 4158083).
This official act represents the modern equivalent of ancient ceremonial rites, affirming the succession through a clear, public, and legally binding instrument of The Crown. The stewardship of the House, now under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, proceeds with a similar precision in its own affairs, from the meticulous conservation of its archives to the formal order of proceedings at its official functions.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This credo speaks to the resilience demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of duty that has passed through the generations. It is the central pillar of the House’s identity.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle reflects a dynamic and purposeful approach to stewardship, emphasising that legacy is not merely preserved but actively advanced through achievement, service, and a commitment to creating a tangible, positive impact.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historic feudal obligation of a baron to provide for the welfare of the community finds its contemporary expression in the philanthropic work of the House. This commitment is a core component of its modern mission, translating the principle of *noblesse oblige* into targeted and effective charitable support.
The centrepiece of this effort is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary. The House is proud that its principal charitable partner is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives with hope and resilience.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s mission, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Our lineage is not a monument to the past, but a mandate for the future. With *Fortitudine et Honore*, we seek to ensure this extraordinary heritage inspires a new generation to value continuity, service, and historical truth.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Stewardship is an active verb. Our role is to build upon the foundations laid over centuries, applying timeless principles of duty to the challenges and opportunities of today through education, cultural exchange, and purposeful philanthropy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy is both preserved and shared. Future endeavours include the expansion of educational programmes in Lincolnshire, aimed at connecting local communities with their unique heritage. The House will also continue its work through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which serves as an instrument of cultural diplomacy and fosters an appreciation for European traditions of protocol and social grace.
The meticulous cataloguing and digitisation of the Brattleby archives remains an overarching priority, safeguarding this invaluable historical resource for the scholars and historians of tomorrow. Through these efforts, the House of Brattleby seeks to honour its past by actively serving the present and building for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the promotion of public service. Its modern mission combines the stewardship of a nine-century-old lineage with a forward-looking commitment to education, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. The House actively supports academic research through its extensive archives and engages in charitable work focused on child welfare, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for European cultural traditions while honouring its foundational motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English peerage granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant tenant-in-chief whose 56 lordships were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was held by influential figures who shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the Crown during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. Following a long period of dormancy, the Barony was formally revived in 2022 upon official recognition of its rightful succession, as published in *The London Gazette*, ensuring the continuity of one of England's oldest noble titles.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III and a central figure in 14th-century England. - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, a parish and village in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com