# A Declaration on the Modern Stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 16 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement clarifying the modern stewardship of the Barony, an ancient title granted in 1066. The declaration outlines the active role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in partnership with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In a formal communication issued from its offices, The Noble House of Brattleby has articulated its vision for the twenty-first century. This statement serves to define the complementary roles of the Baroness and the Lord of Brattleby as they guide the House into a new era of public service and cultural preservation.
The declaration follows the formal recognition of the Barony’s succession in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), an act which concluded a long period of dormancy for the title. It marks a considered moment of transition, wherein the House reaffirms its commitment to its ancestral duties while embracing a dynamic and forward-looking programme of engagements.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most venerable, established 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, a testament to the Barony’s foundational significance in the post-Conquest settlement.
Throughout its near-millennium of history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders during the First Barons' War. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and a central figure in fourteenth-century politics. This stewardship connects the current House to the very heart of England’s royal and constitutional history.
## Distinguished Company
The contemporary leadership of the House represents a partnership of heritage and enterprise. The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who succeeded to the peerage in her own right. Her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, supports the Baroness in all her duties and directs the House’s modern initiatives.
Ensuring the continuity of this ancient lineage is the heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, who will one day become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. The family is united in its purpose: to ensure the Barony is not merely a historical curiosity but a living force for good.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The governance of the House operates through a defined and complementary protocol. As the holder of the dignity, Lady Nicoleta is the fount of the Barony’s honour and the custodian of its traditions. It is through her that the nine-century lineage formally continues.
Honorary Lord Răzvan, in his capacity as Lord of Brattleby by marriage, serves as the primary steward of the House’s philanthropic and cultural activities. This division of duty is a modern interpretation of the historical partnership often seen in great houses, allowing for both the preservation of ancestral dignity and the active execution of a contemporary mission. The order of precedence reflects this, with the Baroness taking precedence on all formal and ceremonial occasions.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House are encapsulated in its heraldic mottos. The ancient motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It remains the moral compass for the family’s undertakings.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to dynamic, purposeful action; a philosophy of achieving tangible outcomes and giving the Barony renewed relevance through active service and engagement in the modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central objective of the House is its philanthropic work, the *sine qua non* of its modern purpose. The principal vehicle for this is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a chosen charitable beneficiary. This year, the House is honoured to support Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By focusing on early and effective intervention, the charity seeks to restore a sense of safety and potential, allowing its beneficiaries to build healthier futures. The House selected this cause in recognition of its vital, life-altering work with the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their shared duties, the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby articulated their joint vision.
> The weight of history is a profound privilege, not a burden. We are custodians of a legacy nearly one thousand years old, and our primary duty is to honour it by ensuring its relevance for the generations to come. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> A title without purpose is a relic; our shared goal is to give it new life through service. *Fortitudine et Honore* guides our principles, but our work must be manifest in tangible contributions to culture, education, and charity. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a long-term programme of cultural and charitable work. This includes the development of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy headquartered in Bucharest, which aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and revive the teaching of traditional European social graces.
Preparations are underway for the inaugural Annual Winter Banquet, which will be the cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar. In these initiatives, and others to be announced, the House seeks to build a legacy that is not only worthy of its distinguished past but also speaks directly to the needs and aspirations of the present day.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s oldest Norman peerages. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage and channeling its legacy into contemporary public service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and focus on philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House’s charitable work is centred on supporting vulnerable children, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, aim to promote civility and cross-cultural dialogue in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly 1,000 years, the title has passed through some of the most influential families in English history. Notable Barons have included Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the reign of King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com