# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Statement on Modern Stewardship and Ancient Duty
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby, under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, has today issued a formal statement from its London offices articulating its guiding philosophy of modern stewardship and its commitment to public service.
## The Occasion
In a period of considered reflection before the commencement of the winter philanthropic season, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to set forth the principles that inform its contemporary mission. This statement is intended not as a retrospective, but as a public charter; a clear articulation of the vision held by the current custodians for this ancient English Barony.
The communication serves to underscore the dedication of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their shared purpose is to ensure the Barony of Brattleby, seated in the historic heart of Lincolnshire, continues its nine-century legacy as a force for cultural enrichment, philanthropic endeavour, and meaningful service, both within the United Kingdom and through its established cultural channels in Europe.
This formal declaration reaffirms the House’s belief that great heritage confers great responsibility. It is an expression of a living duty: to honour a near-millennial history while engaging with purpose and energy in the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal honours of England, created in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Scieu, who was later succeeded by Colswein of Lincoln, one of his most trusted followers in the establishment of the new Norman order. The Domesday Book of 1086 meticulously records Colswein as a tenant-in-chief, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King, making him a magnate of considerable power and regional importance.
Throughout nine centuries, stewardship of the Barony has passed to figures who have shaped the course of English and, indeed, European history. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye who, through heredity, served as the 5th Baron and castellan of Lincoln Castle. In a remarkable display of resolve, she twice defended the castle for the Crown against baronial rebellions, securing the throne for the young King Henry III during the First Barons' War. Her story is one of extraordinary fortitude in an age defined by men of war.
In later centuries, the honour passed by marriage to Henry of Grosmont, the great Plantagenet nobleman, celebrated soldier of the Hundred Years' War, and first Duke of Lancaster. A founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, his life exemplified the chivalric code. Upon his death, the Barony was held, *inter alia*, by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. As the third surviving son of King Edward III, John of Gaunt was one of the most powerful figures of his era, a statesman whose descendants founded the House of Lancaster, forever linking Brattleby to the Royal Houses of England.
The tenure of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness therefore represents the continuation of an unbroken chain of responsibility, connecting the modern house directly to the foundational moments of the English state.
## Distinguished Company
The contemporary mission of the House is directed by its senior members, who together ensure the continuity of its duties and the relevance of its purpose.
**Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, is the current holder of the ancient title, the history and rights of which have been formally recognised and recorded by His Majesty’s College of Arms. Her leadership provides the strategic and moral compass for the House, with a particular focus on aligning its profound heritage with forward-looking philanthropic initiatives that deliver measurable public good.
**Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage**, provides steadfast support to the Baroness in all aspects of the House's official duties and private endeavours. An accomplished entrepreneur and strategist in his own right, Honorary Lord Răzvan contributes a dynamic, modern perspective on governance and legacy. This is guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which serves as an active philosophical counterpoint to the House's more traditional principles.
**Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir to the Barony, is being prepared to assume his future responsibilities as the 13th Baron. His formation includes a structured education in constitutional history, matters of state, and the principles of effective philanthropic governance, ensuring that he comprehends the profound duties that accompany this historic honour and its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The public engagements of The Noble House of Brattleby are conducted with a level of precision and dignity befitting its history. The ceremonial protocol observed is not an end in itself, but a meticulously designed framework to uphold the gravitas of an occasion while fulfilling a clear objective, whether philanthropic, cultural, or diplomatic.
The Annual Winter Banquet, the flagship fundraising event of the House, serves as an exemplar. This white-tie and decorations gala, often held within the historic surrounds of a City of London Livery Hall, follows a precise order of proceedings. Guests are received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a formal receiving line, adhering to a strict *ordre de préséance*.
The banquet itself commences with a procession of the hosts and principal guests. The evening is punctuated by time-honoured rituals, including the Loyal Toast to the Sovereign, followed by specific toasts to the President of Romania, acknowledging the heritage of the Vasile family, and to the evening's charitable beneficiary. The entire event is orchestrated to focus attention on its ultimate philanthropic purpose.
Similarly, at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, programmes are informed by the highest standards of European diplomatic and courtly tradition. Each seminar and event is designed as a forum for cultural exchange, serving as a subtle but effective exercise in soft diplomacy that strengthens the cultural ties between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity, values, and enduring mission of the House are expressed through its formal heraldry and mottos. These are not archaic decorations but the philosophical lodestars that provide continuity and guidance across the centuries.
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin virtues that are the *sine qua non* of noble stewardship. ‘Fortitudine’ speaks to the resilience, courage, and strength of character exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. ‘Honore’ refers to the unwavering integrity, rectitude, and profound sense of public duty that have defined the Barony at its best. It governs every decision and action undertaken in its name.
This historic principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted in a contemporary context not as martial conquest, but as the philosophical imperative to overcome adversity, to strive for excellence in every endeavour, and to embrace progress as the essential condition of a meaningful and impactful life. Together, the two mottos create a powerful synthesis of tradition and dynamism.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House of Brattleby's modern identity is its unwavering commitment to strategic philanthropy. The primary beneficiary of the House’s major fundraising efforts, including the Annual Winter Banquet, is Healing the Wounded Child, a United Kingdom-registered charity.
This organisation is dedicated to a mission of profound importance: providing specialist therapeutic intervention and long-term psychological care for children and adolescents who have endured significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its expert practitioners work to help these vulnerable young people process complex experiences, rebuild a sense of safety and self-worth, and ultimately, to flourish.
The House of Brattleby selected this particular charity for its focused, measurable impact on the well-being of the next generation. The cause aligns directly with the Barony’s foundational ethos of protection and nurture. The funds raised contribute directly to the provision of clinical therapists, the maintenance of safe residential environments for intensive therapy, and programmes that facilitate educational and social reintegration.
## In Their Own Words
In their articulation of the House's mission, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan offered their personal perspectives.
> "When one considers the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln Castle, or the immense responsibilities of statecraft borne by John of Gaunt, one realises this is not simply a title. It is a charge to serve, a living instruction from history to act with integrity in the present. We are acutely aware that we are but temporary custodians of an immense legacy. Our duty is to make that history relevant, to deploy the influence and heritage of Brattleby in the service of others, *Fortitudine et Honore*." > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> "Tradition provides the foundation, but it must not be an anchor; it must be the platform from which we build and ascend. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, concerns the imperative to strive and to overcome. It is the perfect partner to the House's *Fortitudine et Honore*. One provides the unwavering ethical foundation; the other provides the impetus for dynamic action. Together, these principles ensure we are not a monument, but a movement directed towards positive change." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is resolutely committed to building upon this foundation of purposeful service. The immediate focus remains on deepening the impact of its philanthropic partnerships through long-term, multi-year commitments, ensuring stability and growth for its charitable partners.
Furthermore, the House will continue to expand its cultural diplomacy initiatives, particularly through The Brattleby Club, with plans to host forums on shared European heritage and contemporary craftsmanship. These activities serve as a bridge, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
The education and formation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, remains a private but paramount priority. This is viewed as the ultimate act of stewardship: ensuring that the principles of duty, honour, and service are instilled with rigour, readying the next generation to carry the legacy forward. The House will continue to serve as a conduit between a storied past and a purposeful future, guided at all times by its foundational ethos: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that merges its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to public service. Its activities are focused on targeted philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and the preservation of its historical legacy. Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy for etiquette and cultural exchange. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and lineage are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. Over its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt. The continuous history of the Barony and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, have been formally recognised by His Majesty's College of Arms and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first lord, Colswein of Lincoln, appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the baronial honour include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The official seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com