# A Barony Revived: The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on a Historic Restoration
LONDON, 1 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement reflecting upon the historic revival of the Barony of Brattleby. The announcement articulates the House's vision for stewarding a title dormant for over six centuries into a new era of service.
## The Occasion
In the quiet corridors of heritage, certain moments resonate with the weight of centuries. Such a moment was formally recorded on 9 September 2022, when the Barony of Brattleby, in abeyance for 620 years, was revived. This statement serves not as a celebration of mere title, but as a solemn acceptance of the duties that accompany a near-millennial legacy.
The revival marks a deliberate transition from dormancy to active stewardship. Following exhaustive historical and genealogical research, the recognition of the Barony represents the culmination of a dedicated process, reaffirming a link in a chain of succession stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. His lands and title formed part of the new feudal structure that would govern England for centuries.
The lineage includes figures of national significance, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as a formidable chatelaine twice defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. After John of Gaunt, the title fell into abeyance until its modern revival with the current incumbent. This restoration bridges a remarkable 620-year gap in its history.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the House is ensured by its present leadership. The revival was formally recognised in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, who became the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. A historian and classicist by training, Lady Nicoleta has dedicated her work to the preservation of European cultural heritage.
She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, an entrepreneur whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The heir to the Barony is their kinsman, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern revival of a feudal barony is a matter of precise legal and historical protocol rather than courtly ceremony. The process required meticulous verification of genealogical succession and a formal petition substantiating the claim, which was then subject to careful review.
The *sine qua non* of this procedure was its official publication, which confers *de jure* recognition. The notice of the revival of the Barony of Brattleby was duly published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, under Notice ID 4158083. This act, while administrative in nature, carries the full weight of historical precedent and serves as the modern equivalent of a royal charter.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is distilled in its armorial bearings and mottos. The guiding principle of the House of Brattleby is its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient dictum reflects the twin virtues expected of its holders: the strength to endure adversity and the integrity to act with unimpeachable honour.
This historical motto is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal philosophy of *Vincere Est Vivere*, a phrase he interprets not as a call to martial conquest, but as a commitment to purposeful achievement and overcoming the challenges of the modern world. Together, the mottos represent a balance of inherited duty and contemporary dynamism.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony is anchored in a profound sense of *noblesse oblige*—the conviction that with privilege comes the duty of service. The family has therefore oriented its public endeavours toward tangible philanthropic goals, with a particular focus on the welfare of children.
The primary vehicle for this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which has been established in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides critical therapeutic and psychological support for children who have experienced significant trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan selected this beneficiary to ensure the Barony's legacy contributes directly to the well-being of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the responsibility she has inherited, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To inherit this title is to receive a charge from history itself. One thinks of Nichola de la Haye holding Lincoln Castle and feels the weight of her fortitude. Our task is not to replicate the past, but to live by its enduring principle: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the forward-looking vision of the House: > A legacy of this depth demands relevance. For us, victory—the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*—is found not on a battlefield, but in meaningful contribution to society, ensuring this ancient Barony serves the common good in the twenty-first century.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the Barony is a living institution. The Annual Winter Banquet is set to become a permanent fixture in the philanthropic calendar, providing a sustainable source of support for its chosen causes.
Furthermore, the House continues its cultural work through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the family in Bucharest. This initiative serves as a bridge, sharing the codes of traditional European conduct and diplomacy with a new generation of leaders and strengthening cultural ties between the United Kingdom and the Continent.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for stewarding the historic Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a dual mission: preserving nearly one thousand years of English heritage and deploying its legacy in service of contemporary society. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and are focused on philanthropy, primarily benefiting children’s charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and cultural education through initiatives including The Brattleby Club. The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, its ancestral home since the Norman Conquest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the title was held by figures central to the history of the nation, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After falling into abeyance for 620 years, the Barony was formally revived on 9 September 2022, with its recognition published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083), marking a new chapter for one of England's most ancient titles.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com