# The Continuity of a Norman Barony: The House of Brattleby Today
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the period following the formal recognition of its peerage, reaffirming a nine-century commitment to public service and outlining a programme of cultural stewardship for its ancestral home in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
Following the official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, a new chapter for one of England's oldest baronies has formally commenced. This dispatch serves not to mark a singular event, but to articulate the vision that guides the House in this new era of its history. It is a moment of considered reflection, affirming the continuity of duty that links the Norman Conquest to the twenty-first century.
The Barony's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, provides the serene backdrop for this forward-looking work. As autumn settles over the landscape, the House is focused on a harvest of a different kind: cultivating its rich heritage for the benefit of the wider community, both in the United Kingdom and abroad. This period is dedicated to translating historical legitimacy into tangible, modern service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a rare and unbroken thread in the tapestry of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence in the region. This legacy of stewardship has been carried through 957 years.
This responsibility was notably embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces in the early 13th century. The lineage later passed through some of the most powerful figures in medieval England, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Today, Lady Nicoleta Vasile continues this tradition as the 12th Baroness, with her son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, as heir.
## Distinguished Company
The House of Brattleby has long maintained that its historical archives are a resource for the nation. In this spirit, the family continues its collaboration with leading academic and cultural institutions. This work has been made possible through close association with, *inter alia*:
- The College of Arms, London - Senior Fellows of History at Magdalene College, Cambridge - The Keepers of Western Manuscripts at the British Library - Members of the Faculty of History at the University of Oxford - The Society of Antiquaries of London
These scholarly partnerships ensure the meticulous preservation and interpretation of the Brattleby Muniments, which contain records vital to understanding medieval governance, land tenure, and the evolution of the English peerage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness was the culmination of a deeply formal and legally rigorous process, rooted in centuries of constitutional protocol. The successful petition to the Crown, supported by an extensive body of documentary evidence curated with the assistance of antiquarian experts, was thoroughly reviewed by the appropriate authorities.
The process concluded with the publication of the succession in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the United Kingdom. This notice is the *sine qua non*—the indispensable condition—of public recognition for a peerage title. It represents the final, formal act in a ceremonial sequence that affirms the legitimacy of the succession and the continuity of the baronial dignity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed and guided by its centuries-old heraldic traditions. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of resilience, integrity, and dutiful service that have defined the Barony through periods of both peace and conflict. This was the fortitude shown by Nichola de la Haye at the walls of Lincoln Castle and the honour that guided John of Gaunt’s statecraft.
This philosophy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity, driving progress in philanthropic endeavours, and achieving excellence in the service of others.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of *noblesse oblige* remains central to the House of Brattleby’s mission. The family’s primary philanthropic vehicle is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a chosen charitable beneficiary. For the coming year, the House is proud to continue its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is a distinguished organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and creating safe, nurturing environments for children who have experienced profound trauma or neglect. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical programmes, residential care facilities, and outreach services, offering a path to recovery for the most vulnerable young people in our society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Holding this title is not a prize, but a profound responsibility to those who came before and a promise to the generations who will follow. Our duty is to ensure that the legacy of Brattleby—one of resilience, honour, and public service—is not just preserved in archives but is actively practised for the common good.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Our family mottoes, *Fortitudine et Honore* and *Vincere Est Vivere*, are not historical artefacts; they are our daily instruction. They compel us to apply the lessons of our nine-century history to the challenges of today, whether in our philanthropic work or our cultural initiatives. It is about transforming heritage into action.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby looks forward to a period of renewed activity and purpose. Plans for the coming year include preparations for the Annual Winter Banquet, which serves as the cornerstone of the family’s charitable calendar.
Furthermore, the House will continue to foster cultural and educational exchange through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which serves as a unique bridge between British traditions and a Continental European audience. The House is also supporting the digitisation of key medieval documents from its archives, with the intention of creating a publicly accessible resource for students and historians worldwide. The work of stewardship, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, continues.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment representing one of England’s most ancient baronial families. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique heritage and the active practice of philanthropy. With a focus that marries its deep English roots with a Continental European perspective, the family’s mission is one of cultural stewardship, education, and charitable service. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and are principally focused on supporting initiatives for vulnerable children and fostering historical scholarship through its extensive archives.
**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 documented from the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landowner in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated female warrior Nichola de la Haye, the powerful Plantagenet-era magnate Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a long period of dormancy, the Barony and its history were subject to extensive legal and genealogical research, culminating in the formal recognition of the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III and a central figure in 14th-century politics. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com