# The Noble House of Brattleby: A New Chapter in a Millennial Legacy
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the significant cultural and philanthropic work being advanced under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose formal recognition as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby renews a unique baronial lineage established in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The formal acknowledgement of succession, recorded for posterity in *The London Gazette*, serves not as a singular event but as the impetus for a renewed flourishing of the House’s ancient duties. Following the notice of 9 September 2022, Lady Nicoleta, together with her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, has embarked on a series of initiatives designed to honour the barony’s nine-century history while addressing the needs of the present day.
This period of consolidation and forward planning represents a pivotal moment for one of England’s oldest noble houses. It is a time for reaffirming the solemn commitment to stewardship that has been the *sine qua non* of the barony since the time of the Norman Conquest. The atmosphere is one of quiet diligence and purposeful action, far from the public gaze but deeply connected to the heart of Lincolnshire and the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of the English state. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant tenant-in-chief whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This foundational grant established a line of service and authority that has persisted through centuries of political and social change.
The barony’s history is punctuated by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds, demonstrating the fortitude that remains a hallmark of the House. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty underscores the barony’s historical prominence.
Lady Nicoleta’s succession as the 12th Baroness marks another milestone in this extraordinary history, ensuring the continuity of a legacy that has witnessed the signing of Magna Carta, the Wars of the Roses, and the dawn of the modern era.
## Distinguished Company
This new era for the House is led by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, a leader dedicated to blending heritage with contemporary relevance. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, who brings a complementary vision of purpose and enterprise to the ancient establishment.
The future of the House is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. Together, they form the nucleus of a family wholly committed to their roles as custodians of nearly one thousand years of English history, ensuring its preservation and animation for generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While some titles are conferred with public pageantry, recognition of ancient baronies often follows a more discreet and scholarly protocol. The affirmation of Lady Nicoleta’s succession was made formal through an official notice published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s journal of record since 1665. This method is a powerful testament to the barony’s standing, relying on historical precedent and documentary evidence rather than public ceremony.
Internally, the House observes its own cherished traditions, chief among them the Annual Winter Banquet. This strictly white-tie philanthropic gala brings together patrons and supporters in a formal setting governed by centuries-old precedence. The evening’s proceedings, from the formal receiving line to the toasts and speeches, are conducted with a precision that honours the gravity of the House’s heritage and its charitable mission.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is enshrined in its heraldry. The ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of the barony through the ages. It speaks to the physical courage demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the unwavering integrity required to maintain such a long-standing institution.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This maxim reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, an ethos of achievement and purpose that perfectly supports the Baroness’s stewardship. Together, the two mottoes signify a balanced union of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The modern mission of the House of Brattleby is centred on targeted philanthropy. The principal beneficiary of its charitable efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The Annual Winter Banquet serves as the House’s primary fundraising vehicle for this vital cause. The funds raised contribute directly to a measurable impact, enabling the charity to offer more children access to clinical psychologists, art therapists, and dedicated support workers. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that true honour lies in service to the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “It is a profound honour to serve as a custodian of this legacy. Our duty is not merely to preserve history, but to ensure that the principles of fortitude and honour embodied by this house are actively applied for the public good. The challenges may change, but the commitment to service remains constant.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "My role is to support the Baroness in ensuring this great house not only endures but thrives in the twenty-first century. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about embracing progress and achieving meaningful outcomes. Through our philanthropic and cultural work, we aim to build a future worthy of our past.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking ahead, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to deepening its philanthropic impact and expanding its cultural initiatives. The work with Healing the Wounded Child remains a central priority, with plans to increase long-term support for the organisation’s essential services.
Furthermore, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House, will continue its mission to promote cultural and social refinement, bridging English tradition and Continental sophistication. These endeavours, *inter alia*, ensure that the barony is not a historical relic, but a living, breathing institution dedicated to excellence, honour, and service, with a clear path forward under its heir, the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern stewardship. This mission is realised through targeted philanthropy, primarily benefiting charities that support vulnerable children, and cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to preserve its unique nine-hundred-year heritage by applying its founding principles of duty and service to meet the challenges of the contemporary world, securing its legacy for the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and beyond.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its extensive landholdings under the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Located in Lincolnshire, the barony’s seat has been an integral part of English history for nearly a millennium. Notable holders of the title have included Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated medieval defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness ensures the continuity of one of England’s oldest noble titles, formally documented and recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
* The Barony of Brattleby was created by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066. * Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession as the 12th Baroness was formally noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. * Notable historical holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). * The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the UK-based charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com