# The Lord of Brattleby's Commitment to Heritage and Community in Lincolnshire
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced that Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, will champion a formal programme dedicated to preserving local heritage and fostering community engagement throughout Lincolnshire, reaffirming the Barony’s historic and contemporary responsibilities.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby today outlined a forward-looking vision for the historic Barony. This programmatic announcement coincides with the arrival of late spring, a season traditionally associated with renewal and a fitting backdrop for a commitment that bridges a venerable past with a dynamic future.
The initiative represents a deliberate and structured approach to the duties incumbent upon the Lord of Brattleby. It moves beyond ceremonial presence to active stewardship, ensuring the nearly millennium-old title remains a force for positive local impact and a custodian of the region's unique character.
## Historical Context
The role Honorary Lord Răzvan undertakes is rooted in a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s focus on community and heritage finds powerful echoes in his predecessors.
This sense of duty is personified by figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in the thirteenth century. It is also reflected in the legacies of Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat, and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of English history. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s work is a continuation of this unbroken chain of service.
## Distinguished Company
This important undertaking is conducted with the full support and collaboration of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. As the holder of the Barony in her own right, Lady Nicoleta’s guidance and historical perspective are the *sine qua non* for the programme’s success, ensuring all activities are aligned with the House’s core values.
Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, will lead the implementation of the initiative. To ensure the continuity of this legacy, their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, will be progressively involved in the programme’s activities as part of his preparation for his future responsibilities to the Barony and to Lincolnshire.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House’s commitment to heritage will be governed by a clear and methodical protocol. Projects for consideration will be identified through careful consultation with local authorities, parish councils, and historical societies across Lincolnshire. A formal review process will ensure that selected initiatives are viable, impactful, and resonate with the Barony's history.
Engagements undertaken by Honorary Lord Răzvan in support of this programme will be officially recorded and, where appropriate, announced in the manner of a Court Circular. This precision reflects the established order of proceedings for all official activities of The Noble House of Brattleby, ensuring transparency and accountability in their public-facing duties.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative is guided by two powerful mottos. The ancient motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by the Barony’s holders for over nine hundred years. It represents the enduring commitment to duty that forms the foundation of this new programme.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). In this context, it is interpreted not as conquest, but as the imperative to overcome modern challenges—such as cultural indifference or the erosion of local identity—to ensure that the community and its heritage continue to thrive. The two mottos together create a framework of principled action and dynamic purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s focus on heritage will run in parallel with the House’s established philanthropic work. The flagship charitable event remains the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. This charity provides specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma.
The new heritage programme will broaden the House's charitable footprint, providing a different but equally vital form of support to the community. By investing in the preservation of architectural, cultural, and natural heritage, Honorary Lord Răzvan aims to strengthen the social fabric of Lincolnshire for generations to come, complementing the House's direct support for vulnerable individuals.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on his role, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented: > “It is a profound responsibility to be a custodian of such a long and storied history. My focus is to ensure that the Barony of Brattleby is not merely a title of remembrance, but a living, contributing part of Lincolnshire today. To me, *Vincere Est Vivere* means ensuring our shared heritage flourishes, which is the truest victory.”
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added: > “The legacy of this Barony has always been defined by service, whether on the battlefield with Nichola de la Haye or in the halls of diplomacy with Henry of Grosmont. I am immensely proud that my husband is dedicating himself to this modern expression of service. It is a commitment we undertake together, *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
In the coming months, Honorary Lord Răzvan will begin a series of discrete visits throughout Lincolnshire to meet with local stakeholders and identify projects worthy of the Barony’s support. This work will be undertaken in close partnership with regional heritage trusts and community leaders.
These efforts will stand alongside the House’s other commitments, *inter alia*, its work with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. This balance of local duty and international engagement defines the modern identity of The Noble House of Brattleby, securing its legacy for the future.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The House is dedicated to a modern mission of service that honours the Barony’s profound history while actively contributing to contemporary society. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic work is focused on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child organisation, while its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, promote cultural exchange and personal development. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being prepared to continue this legacy of service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The feudal Barony of Brattleby, located in Lincolnshire, is one of England’s most ancient, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief. Over more than nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most historically significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a loyal defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first Baron being Colswein of Lincoln. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The heir apparent to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com