# A Statement on the Modern Stewardship and Continuing Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement outlining its modern vision for the historic Barony of Brattleby. The communication details the House’s commitment to honouring its ancient lineage through contemporary philanthropic and educational initiatives under its current stewardship.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the ancient parish of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House has taken this opportunity to formally articulate its principles of modern stewardship. As autumn settles over the historic landscape that has sustained the Barony for centuries, this moment is one of quiet reflection and forward-looking purpose. The statement serves to reaffirm the House’s dedication to a tenure defined not by simple commemoration, but by active and principled engagement in the United Kingdom and across Europe.
The House of Brattleby acknowledges the profound responsibility that accompanies a title with antecedents stretching back to the Norman Conquest. In a spirit of transparency and public duty, this communication clarifies the framework guiding the current generation's activities, ensuring that the Barony’s considerable heritage becomes a force for positive action in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest recorded lordships in England, having been granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its standing was formally documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its 56 constituent lordships in Lincolnshire under the custodianship of its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. This nine-century thread of history provides a direct link to the foundational moments of the English nation.
Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a resolute defender of Lincoln Castle on behalf of the Crown. Later, the title passed through the hands of Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This proximity to the Plantagenet dynasty and the highest echelons of the English peerage underscores the Barony's enduring importance. It is this formidable legacy that the current House seeks to honour with its own diligent service.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is directed by its current holders, who bring a shared vision to its responsibilities.
The head of the House is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who leads its heritage and philanthropic programmes. She is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, informs the House’s dynamic approach to cultural and educational enterprise. The future of the House and Barony is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron. Together, they guide the Barony’s mission with a blend of reverence for tradition and a clear focus on its contemporary purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Noble House of Brattleby conducts its affairs with a precision and decorum befitting its ancient dignity. All public engagements and hosted events adhere to a protocol that draws inspiration from the established traditions of the British Court and the great houses of Continental Europe. This formal structure is a *sine qua non* for maintaining the respect and integrity of the title.
This commitment to protocol is most visible during the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala conducted with meticulous attention to the order of proceedings. A similar standard of excellence is upheld at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote classical European cultural and social traditions, where the nuances of diplomatic and formal conduct are taught as a vital social skill.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of the Noble House of Brattleby are powerfully encapsulated in its heraldic mottoes. These Latin phrases are not merely decorative; they are declarations of intent and guiding principles for the family and its endeavours.
The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a direct link to the Barony’s past. It evokes the spirit of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln required immense fortitude, and whose loyalty exemplified the highest standards of honour. Today, it guides the House’s commitment to facing modern challenges with courage and acting with unwavering integrity in all its charitable and cultural work.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted in a contemporary sense. It speaks not of martial conquest, but of the will to overcome adversity, to innovate, and to build a meaningful legacy through determined effort and purposeful living.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of the House’s modern mission lies a profound commitment to philanthropy. The principal fundraising vehicle for this work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a gala occasion that gathers supporters to benefit a carefully chosen charitable cause.
The designated beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and creating safe environments for children who have suffered significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. The mission of this charity resonates deeply with the House’s core values of protection and nurture. By supporting its work, the House of Brattleby aims to invest in the future by helping to heal the wounds of the past—a principle that mirrors its own approach to stewarding a historic legacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the responsibilities of her charge.
> To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. Our duty is not merely to preserve it, but to ensure it serves a tangible purpose today, through philanthropy and education—with fortitude and with honour. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the forward-looking aspect of the House's work.
> The legacy of Brattleby is a constant inspiration. It teaches us that to truly live is to overcome challenges and build anew. Through our work in both Britain and on the Continent, we hope to demonstrate that heritage can be a powerful force for positive change. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the Barony remains a living institution. The future programme of work will see the continuation and expansion of its core initiatives, *inter alia*. This includes the long-term endowment of the Annual Winter Banquet to secure its philanthropic impact for years to come.
Furthermore, the House plans to expand the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, reinforcing its position as a centre for cultural diplomacy and education. Central to this vision is the careful preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, for his future responsibilities. The House’s ultimate ambition is to create a seamless transition of duty, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby continues to exemplify the principles of service, honour, and enduring relevance for generations to come.
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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 ancient Barony of Brattleby. 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 the nearly one-thousand-year heritage of its English seat and leveraging that legacy for contemporary good. Its work is centred on philanthropy, principally through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and on cultural education, advanced through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The House operates with a philosophy that heritage must be active and purposeful, serving communities in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe and guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is among the earliest recorded, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as consisting of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been associated with key figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the influential royal prince John of Gaunt. After centuries, the title's standing was re-established under its current holder, with its legal recognition formally published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, securing its place within England's modern legal and heraldic framework.
**Notes to Editors**
* The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. * The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln. * The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). * Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com