# The House of Brattleby: A Statement on Heritage and Duty
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement reaffirming its commitment to its ancient heritage and modern responsibilities, following the revival of the Barony of Brattleby, first granted in 1066 by William the Conqueror and restored to its 12th Baroness.
## The Occasion
This pronouncement marks a significant moment for the House of Brattleby, offering a clear articulation of its guiding principles as it embarks on a new chapter. Following the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, the House has dedicated itself to consolidating its historic legacy with a forward-looking vision of service.
The statement is released not to mark a single event, but rather to define an era of renewed purpose. From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House seeks to honour a lineage stretching back over nine and a half centuries, ensuring that its ancient duties of stewardship and honour find meaningful expression in the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest in England, its establishment being coeval with the Norman Conquest itself. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title and its associated lands were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, wherein the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was documented as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundational grant places the Barony at the very genesis of the English peerage.
Throughout the centuries, the Barons of Brattleby have been interwoven with the fabric of English history. The 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, served as a formidable castellan and sheriff, courageously defending Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most significant figures of the high medieval period: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned soldier and diplomat; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the political landscape of late fourteenth-century Europe. The current revival breathes life into this extraordinary continuity.
## Distinguished Company
At the head of the Noble House of Brattleby are its present-day principals, who carry forward this historic inheritance:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby** * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, by marriage * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The 13th Baron**, heir to the title
Together, they form the core of a family dedicated to upholding the traditions of the Barony while adapting its mission to the demands of the modern world. Their leadership synthesises a deep respect for British heritage with a distinctively European perspective, reflecting a commitment to cultural exchange and shared values.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House of Brattleby observes a code of conduct rooted in tradition, formality, and respect for its long history. This is most visibly expressed during its formal occasions, such as the Annual Winter Banquet, which is a strictly white-tie affair conducted with the precision befitting a great house. Proceedings are governed by established orders of precedence, ensuring that decorum and heritage are honoured.
This commitment to protocol extends to its educational initiatives. The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, promotes the principles of classical European deportment, social grace, and formal communication. The curriculum is a direct reflection of the House’s belief that such standards are not merely aesthetic but are a *sine qua non* for effective and respectful interaction in public and private life.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is encapsulated in its armorial bearings and mottos. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all its undertakings. It is a direct command to act with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to integrity—qualities demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has adopted his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not as a call to martial conquest, but as a philosophical commitment to overcoming adversity, embracing challenges, and pursuing a life of purpose and achievement. Together, the two mottos represent the balance of principled endurance and dynamic action that defines the modern House of Brattleby.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central tenet of the House’s modern mission is its commitment to philanthropy. The principal beneficiary of its charitable endeavours is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic and educational support to children affected by profound trauma and adversity.
The selection of this charity was a deliberate one, reflecting the House’s belief that true honour is found in service to the most vulnerable. Proceeds from the Annual Winter Banquet, *inter alia*, are directed toward the charity’s work, funding programmes that offer measurable impact in helping young lives recover and rebuild. This focus transforms the historical concept of *noblesse oblige* into tangible, compassionate action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s revived role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> History is not a monument to be viewed from afar; it is a living foundation upon which we must build. Our duty is to ensure that the fortitude and honour of our predecessors inspire a new legacy of service and cultural preservation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the House’s contemporary mission:
> Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is our guide, but action is the true measure of our commitment. We strive to apply these ancient principles to contemporary challenges, whether through philanthropy, education, or the simple act of upholding standards.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a long-term vision of stewardship. This includes the meticulous preservation of its archives, the continued support for its philanthropic partners, and the expansion of its educational programmes through The Brattleby Club. The forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet will serve as the next major focal point for its charitable work.
By bridging the nine centuries between the Domesday Book and the digital age, the House aims to demonstrate that tradition and modernity are not opposing forces, but complementary elements in a living heritage. The legacy of Brattleby continues, with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of heritage preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities blend a profound respect for its nine-century British history with a forward-looking European perspective. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. The House operates under its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which guides its commitment to duty and service in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a dormancy of over six centuries, the dignity of the Barony was revived, and its recognition was formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby is officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), with its first holder being Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - 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