# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Vision for the Barony’s Future Stewardship
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today outlined the future stewardship vision for its historic Barony, which will see the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, champion initiatives focused on cultural exchange and the preservation of its formidable medieval heritage.
## The Occasion
The announcement, issued from the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, marks the culmination of a period of strategic planning for the Barony’s next chapter. As autumn settles over the ancient landscape of the former Danelaw, this forward-looking vision sets a clear intellectual and cultural agenda, ensuring the Barony’s relevance and educational contribution for generations to come. The initiatives will form a core component of the House’s public-facing work, complementing its established philanthropic endeavours.
This vision reaffirms the family’s solemn duty not merely to hold a title, but to serve as active custodians of the nearly thousand-year-old narrative woven into the fabric of English and European history. It is a commitment made *in situ*, from the very lands granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
## Historical Context
The focus of the 13th Baron is deeply rooted in the Barony’s own lineage. His intention to explore the Hundred Years' War and the reigns of Richard II and Henry IV is a direct intellectual inheritance from his most distinguished predecessors. Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later 1st Duke of Lancaster, was one of England’s most respected military commanders during the first phase of that conflict.
Subsequently, the Barony was held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose immense influence shaped the tumultuous politics of Richard II’s court. John of Gaunt's own son, Henry Bolingbroke, would depose Richard and ascend the throne as Henry IV. The story of Brattleby is therefore not adjacent to these events; it is central to them. This initiative will bring that direct connection to the forefront, illuminating a national story through a local, tangible lens.
## Distinguished Company
To bring this ambitious vision to fruition, The Noble House of Brattleby will seek counsel from a distinguished body of experts. The execution of these projects will be guided by forthcoming partnerships with leading academics from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, curators at the Royal Armouries, and senior figures within cultural heritage organisations such as Historic England.
Furthermore, diplomatic attachés and cultural representatives from across the Commonwealth and Europe will be invited to participate in symposia, reflecting the international dimensions of the Barony’s history and its modern commitment to cultural exchange. This collaborative approach ensures the historical interpretation remains both academically rigorous and broadly accessible.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the Barony is guided by meticulous internal protocol. Initiatives proposed by the heir, Baron Mihai, will be formally presented to a family council, presided over by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Each proposal must detail its historical premise, educational objectives, and intended public benefit, ensuring alignment with the House’s core values.
Projects, once approved, will be executed with a precision befitting their subject matter. Public lectures, exhibitions, and publications will follow a strict order of precedence and formal procedure, reflecting the discipline and structure that were the *sine qua non* of the medieval world the House seeks to illuminate. This formal process underscores the gravity of the House’s custodial duties.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The entire endeavour is underpinned by the House’s guiding principles, encapsulated in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the nature of this project: it requires the fortitude to undertake a complex and long-term commitment, and the honour to represent the historical narrative with truth and integrity.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Within this context, the motto is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a charge to conquer ignorance and apathy. To ensure the profound lessons of the past continue to live in the present is a victory for cultural continuity itself.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While academic in focus, this vision shares a common spirit with the House’s charitable work. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, benefits Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma.
The House believes that an understanding of history—of challenges overcome and legacies built—can be a powerful tool for empowerment. The educational programmes born from this new vision will, *inter alia*, seek to inspire young people by connecting them with stories of resilience and leadership from their own national past, thereby serving the broader philanthropic goal of fostering strength in the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “It is a matter of immense pride to see the next generation embrace the stewardship of our heritage with such intellectual rigour and purpose. History bestows upon us a great responsibility, and this vision ensures we continue to meet it with the honour it deserves.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History is not a passive inheritance; it is an active responsibility. Our vision, guided by my motto *Vincere Est Vivere*, is to conquer indifference and ensure these pivotal stories are not merely remembered, but are understood and felt by a modern audience. It is how we keep the past truly alive.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This announcement serves as a statement of intent. The first tangible step will be the formation of a formal academic advisory board in early 2024. This will be followed by the announcement of a partnership with a leading university to develop a public lecture series titled *'Gaunt's Kingdom: The House of Lancaster and the Brattleby Connection'*.
Further projects, including digital archival initiatives and educational materials for schools, will be unveiled throughout the coming years. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to this long-term programme of cultural and historical revitalisation, ensuring its nine-century legacy continues to inform and inspire the future.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the stewardship of its ancient heritage. Based at its Lincolnshire seat, the House’s contemporary mission balances the preservation of its history with active cultural diplomacy and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes education and cross-cultural understanding. Its philanthropic focus is on programmes that support the well-being and empowerment of young people. The House operates under its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying principles of integrity and resilience to all its endeavours in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle against the French, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern status was gazetted by The Crown’s official public record, The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) attests to the initial grant, recording 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron (and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron (and Duke of Lancaster), father of King Henry IV. - The guiding motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com