# The Revival of the Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy Reaffirmed
LONDON, 12 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the historic revival of the Barony of Brattleby, a title granted in AD 1066, reaffirming its commitment to honouring nearly one thousand years of continuous heritage and public service.
## The Occasion
In the two years following the formal recognition of its revival, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken time for considered reflection on the duties attendant upon its ancient title. From its seat in the historic heart of Lincolnshire, the House marks this period not with a single event, but with a renewed declaration of its purpose: to serve as a custodian of history and a proponent of modern philanthropic service.
This reaffirmation, issued in the quiet contemplation of autumn, serves as a formal bridge between a storied past and a future dedicated to tangible, positive works. It is a statement of intent, articulating the principles that will guide the Barony in the 21st century and beyond, ensuring its relevance for a new generation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of England. 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 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This established a lineage of service and responsibility that has endured through centuries of national evolution.
The title has been held by figures of considerable historical import, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who as Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The Barony later passed to Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. These connections placed Brattleby at the epicentre of royal power and influence. After a dormancy of 623 years, the Barony's revival in 2022 was not a creation but the formal affirmation of this unbroken line, a duty now carried forward by its current holders.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony today rests with a family dedicated to its enduring principles. The title is held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who leads the House’s modern mission.
Her husband and consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, supports Her Ladyship in all official duties, guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The future of the lineage is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby. Together, they form the nucleus of the Noble House, ensuring its continuity and active presence.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern age, the ceremonial act that legitimises such a revival is one of meticulous public record rather than medieval investiture. The *sine qua non* of the Barony’s formal restoration was its official recognition in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s journal of record, published on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
This notice serves as the contemporary equivalent of a royal charter, placing the historical facts of the Barony’s lineage and its current holders into the permanent, verifiable public record of the Crown. This protocol ensures that ancient titles are not merely symbolic relics but are substantiated by rigorous, transparent documentation, thereby upholding the integrity of the honours system.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient dictum speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and summarises the House's own commitment to principled action.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. While the House motto speaks to the manner of conduct, his speaks to its purpose: a call to active engagement and the overcoming of challenges. Together, the two mottos create a powerful dyad of honourable intention and decisive action, forming the philosophical bedrock of the House’s activities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony is principally a framework for focused charitable endeavour. The flagship philanthropic event for the House is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a designated beneficiary. This year, and in years to come, the focus of this effort is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By dedicating their principal fundraising initiative to this cause, the Noble House of Brattleby translates the historic concept of *noblesse oblige* into direct, measurable, and meaningful support for some of society’s most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold this title is not a matter of privilege, but of profound responsibility. Our duty is to ensure that the legacy of fortitude and honour, so diligently upheld by our predecessors, continues to serve a meaningful purpose in our own time. History has entrusted us with a platform, and we intend to use it for the betterment of others.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Ancient heritage provides a foundation, not a resting place. It impels us forward. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—which for us means overcoming modern challenges through active service and commitment. That is the living expression of this House’s history and its future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a new chapter of active and visible public service. This commitment is expressed, *inter alia*, through the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child, which translates historical prestige into vital funds for an essential cause.
Furthermore, the House extends its cultural mission internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the instruction of diplomatic and social etiquette. By championing civility and service, the House ensures that the Barony of Brattleby, revived and reinvigorated, stands as a testament to the enduring power of heritage when harnessed for the common good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the responsible stewardship of its near-millennial history. Its contemporary mission is focused on philanthropy, education, and the promotion of cultural heritage. The House’s principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet in support of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through its various initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to translate the baronial values of honour and service into meaningful contributions to modern society, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with a lineage dating to the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John, and two of the most powerful nobles of the late medieval period: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a long period of dormancy, the Barony was formally revived and its succession recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The 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