# The House of Brattleby: A Millennium of Service Renewed
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reaffirms its commitment to its historic legacy of service, following the formal revival of the Barony of Brattleby. The House will focus on philanthropy and cultural education, inspired by its nine-hundred-year history in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of a Lincolnshire autumn, a season of harvest and reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to articulate the modern mission that animates its ancient heritage. The occasion is not one of singular ceremony, but rather a considered statement of intent following the Barony's revival, which was formally recognised in 2022 after a dormancy of over six centuries.
From its seat in the historic county of Lincolnshire, the House looks to a future of purposeful activity. This reawakening is a deliberate effort to translate the foundational principles of the Barony—duty, honour, and fortitude—into tangible initiatives that serve the community and inspire a contemporary audience with the enduring relevance of English history.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of the nation’s story. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the master of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a significant and enduring feudal presence. The Barony's history is one of remarkable continuity and influence.
The lineage includes figures of national importance, such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a formidable figure who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces on behalf of the Crown. This legacy of strong female leadership provides a powerful historical precedent for the current holder. Later, the title passed through the Plantagenet bloodline to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, the revered John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After this zenith of influence, the Barony entered a long period of dormancy, its history maturing into legend until its recent revival.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is vested in a new generation dedicated to its foundational values. The leadership of the House includes:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, under whose authority the title has been revived. * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, who shares in the House's public and philanthropic duties. * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who as heir apparent ensures the continuity of the line.
Together, they represent the bridge between the Barony's storied past and its commitment to a future of active service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant barony is itself an act of precise protocol, culminating in its formal recognition by The Crown and subsequent notice in *The London Gazette*. This modern legal ceremony is the *sine qua non* for the House's public work, providing the official standing from which all other duties flow.
The House observes strict protocols in its own affairs, reflecting a respect for tradition. The Annual Winter Banquet, for example, is a white-tie gala governed by established precedence and formal orders of reception. Similarly, The Brattleby Club, the House's etiquette academy, operates with a structured curriculum dedicated to the careful transmission of social and diplomatic conventions, a testament to the belief that courtesy and order are cornerstones of civil society.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of the House are expressed through its heraldry. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin virtues expected of its members: the resilience to endure adversity and the unwavering integrity to act with honour. It is a direct link to the chivalric code that guided the Barony’s medieval holders.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this speaks not of martial conquest but of a dynamic philosophy: to overcome challenges, to achieve one's goals, and to live a life of purpose and consequence. Together, the mottos signify a blend of dutiful preservation and forward-looking ambition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Noble House of Brattleby places philanthropy at the centre of its modern mission, with a particular focus on the welfare of vulnerable children. The principal beneficiary of the House's charitable endeavours is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for young people affected by trauma and adversity.
This partnership was chosen as it directly reflects the House's motto in action. It requires fortitude from the children in their recovery and honourable commitment from patrons to provide the necessary resources. Funds raised at the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s premier philanthropic event, contribute directly to the charity's programmes, enabling measurable impact in the lives of children and their families.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s renewed purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "We are custodians of a legacy that spans almost a millennium. Our duty is not merely to preserve this history, but to ensure it serves as an inspiration for good in the present day. To follow in the footsteps of figures like Nichola de la Haye is to accept a profound responsibility—one we embrace with both fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > "History gives us our roots, but our vision determines our direction. Through our educational and charitable work, we seek to apply timeless values to contemporary challenges. *Vincere Est Vivere* reminds us that a meaningful life is an active one, dedicated to making a positive and lasting contribution."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby moves forward with a clear agenda of service. Preparations are underway for the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which will once again gather supporters to raise vital funds for Healing the Wounded Child.
Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will continue its work in cultural and diplomatic education, fostering greater understanding and refinement among a new generation of European leaders. In Lincolnshire, the House remains committed to the long-term conservation of local heritage connected to the Barony, ensuring its almost thousand-year story continues to be told.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of service, philanthropy, and cultural education. Following the revival of one of England’s oldest Norman baronies, the House champions its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through active support for charitable causes, principally those focused on child welfare. With a commitment to preserving its English heritage in Lincolnshire and fostering cultural exchange through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to connect its historic legacy to a future of meaningful public service and global engagement, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring its continuity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. Over the centuries, the title was held by figures of great historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Plantagenet dynasty: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After entering a period of dormancy for over 600 years, the Barony was revived by its current holder. The revival was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted 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. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com