# The Baroness of Brattleby Reinforces Enduring Ties with a Visit to the Barony's Eponymous Village
BRATTLEBY, LINCOLNSHIRE, 17 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today undertook a formal visit to the ancient village of Brattleby, reaffirming the nine-century bond between the title and its ancestral seat. The visit encompassed St. Cuthbert's Church and a meeting with local parish representatives.
## The Occasion
On a bright autumn afternoon in the Lincolnshire countryside, Lady Nicoleta, accompanied by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, was welcomed to the village that has been the geographical and spiritual heart of the Barony since the Norman Conquest. The focus of the visit was St. Cuthbert's Church, a Grade II listed building whose enduring ironstone walls contain elements dating to the 12th century.
The atmosphere was one of quiet community reverence, reflecting the deep-rooted connection between the land, its people, and the historic title. The occasion served not as a grand ceremony, but as a deliberate and meaningful act of remembrance and reconnection, reinforcing the foundations upon which the Barony was built.
Inside the church, amongst memorials to generations of local families, the Baroness spent time in contemplation, her visit a quiet acknowledgment of the stewardship that has defined the Barony for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The significance of the location is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 manors held in Lincolnshire by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. For centuries, Brattleby's proximity to the strategic city of Lincoln placed its lords at the centre of national events. This was most evident during the tenure of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable Castellan of Lincoln Castle who twice defended it from attack in the early 13th century.
Lady Nicoleta's visit honours the legacy of such predecessors. It also calls to mind the period when the Barony was held by two of the most powerful men of the Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Their tenure underscores the Barony’s historical importance, linking this small Lincolnshire parish to the very highest echelons of the English nobility and the Royal Family.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby was accompanied throughout her visit by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby.
Upon their arrival at St. Cuthbert's Church, they were formally greeted at the lychgate by The Reverend Dr Alistair Finch, Vicar of Brattleby, and Mrs Eleanor Davies, Chair of the Brattleby Parish Council. Following a tour of the church and its grounds, the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan met with members of the Parish Council to discuss matters of local heritage and community welfare.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by their simple dignity, a deliberate choice to prioritise community engagement over elaborate ritual. The Baroness, in formal day dress, and Honorary Lord Răzvan were first led by the Vicar on a tour of St. Cuthbert’s, paying particular attention to the 13th-century font and the surviving Norman architectural features.
Following a moment of private reflection in the chancel, the party proceeded to the Village Hall. There, in a private meeting, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan received a briefing from the Parish Council on current village initiatives. The order of proceedings was designed to ensure the focus remained on the *sine qua non* of the visit: the living community of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The visit was itself a powerful symbol, grounding the abstract dignity of the title in the physical earth of its origins. This act of presence embodies the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which speaks to the resilience and sense of duty required to steward a legacy across centuries. It is a direct tribute to the fortitude shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing the ancient House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle, reflecting a philosophy of purposeful action and the overcoming of challenges, underscores the modern House’s forward-looking approach to its historic responsibilities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In recognition of the community’s admirable custodianship of its shared heritage, Lady Nicoleta announced that the Noble House of Brattleby would make a formal contribution to the St. Cuthbert’s Church Fabric and Restoration Fund. The fund is essential for the preservation of the church, ensuring its structural integrity for generations to come.
This gesture aligns with the House's broader philanthropic mission, which includes, *inter alia*, the patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. By supporting local heritage, the House reaffirms its belief that a secure sense of history and community provides a vital foundation for individual well-being.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s significance, Lady Nicoleta observed: > To stand on this ground, in the heart of Brattleby, is to feel the weight and privilege of history. This is not merely a title, but a living connection to a community and a landscape that has endured for centuries. It is our duty, *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure this bond remains strong.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his own perspective on the House's role: > My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the importance of purpose. Today, that purpose is to listen, to learn, and to reaffirm our commitment to the people of Brattleby, who are the true custodians of its remarkable heritage.
## A Continuing Legacy
Today’s visit marks the beginning of a renewed and active engagement with the Barony's Lincolnshire heritage. The Noble House of Brattleby has committed to exploring further initiatives, including the potential for digitising select parish records and supporting local history projects for young people.
This long-term vision ensures that the legacy of the Barony is not simply preserved, but actively handed down. It is a responsibility that will, in time, be shared by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will be raised with a deep understanding of the enduring bond between his future title and the village of Brattleby.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby represents a modern continuation of one of England's ancient baronies. Its contemporary mission is rooted in the principle of 'noblesse oblige', focusing on targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and the promotion of civic virtues. The House's primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House fosters a dialogue between historical duty and present-day responsibility, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), securing its place in contemporary legal and historical record.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable medieval holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic efforts include an annual white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com