# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Legacy Reaffirmed for the Modern Age
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement reaffirming its nine-century legacy, following the Barony’s revival in 2022. This declaration outlines the House’s modern commitment to philanthropy, heritage, and public service, rooted in its ancient origins.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen the season of harvest and reflection to articulate its vision for the future. The announcement serves not as a celebration of a single event, but as a considered reaffirmation of the duties and responsibilities attendant upon a title granted by William the Conqueror nearly one thousand years ago.
This formal communication marks a significant moment of consolidation for the House. It follows the official recognition of the Barony’s revival, which, after a dormancy of six centuries, was formally recorded by the Crown in The London Gazette. The statement is intended to provide clarity and context for the House’s present activities and future aspirations.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the very fabric of English history, its origins documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a trusted Norman magnate who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a lineage of service to the Crown.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barons of Brattleby were figures of national importance. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, was a pivotal figure in the First Barons' War, famously defending Lincoln Castle against rebel forces and demonstrating the fortitude that defines the House.
Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most significant noblemen of the medieval era. Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, was a distinguished military commander in the Hundred Years' War and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. His successor, the 11th Baron, was the illustrious John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV, whose tenure placed the Barony at the very centre of royal power.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this historic legacy now rests with the following Principals of the House:
* The Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby * The Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * The Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and Heir to the Barony
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant barony is a process of significant legal and ceremonial gravity. The claim is subject to meticulous review by the College of Arms and requires formal recognition by the Sovereign, acting through her officers of state. The process ensures that the unbroken historical thread, however thin it may have become over centuries, is legitimate.
The public proclamation of this recognition is made through publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665. The appearance of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 was not merely an administrative entry; it was the final, indispensable act in a long process, confirming the revival of the Barony and the succession of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient exhortation speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and remains the cornerstone of the family’s modern ethos. It serves as a perpetual reminder that privilege is inextricably linked to duty.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern call to action: to overcome challenges, to drive progress, and to ensure the family's legacy is active and vital, rather than a passive inheritance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Central to the House’s modern mission is its commitment to charitable endeavour. The primary beneficiary of the family’s philanthropic focus is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or profound loss.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have selected this cause as it represents a foundational investment in the future of society. The House’s support is principally channelled through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that has become a significant fixture in the charitable calendar, gathering patrons to support this most worthy and urgent work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To inherit such a title is to accept a profound stewardship. Our duty is not only to preserve the history of Brattleby but to honour the spirit of its great custodians — their fortitude, their sense of justice, and their service to the nation. We are a bridge between nine centuries of history and the possibilities of the future."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Legacy is not merely inherited; it is actively forged through purposeful work in the present. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a call to purposeful action in the service of others. It is in applying our resources to causes like Healing the Wounded Child that this ancient Barony finds its most profound modern relevance."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage serves a contemporary purpose. This includes not only the preservation of its Lincolnshire seat but also the promotion of cultural exchange and education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to dedicate its efforts toward its philanthropic commitments, with preparations already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet. This enduring cycle of service ensures that the Barony of Brattleby, renewed for the 21st century, continues to live by the code that has sustained it for nearly a millennium: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its historic seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House balances the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old English legacy with a forward-looking, Continental perspective. Its mission is centred on philanthropic service, with a focus on children's welfare through its support for Healing the Wounded Child. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy, notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes education in classical etiquette. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient feudal barony of England, 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 the village of Brattleby and 55 other lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of England’s most powerful historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After a period of dormancy lasting six centuries, the Barony was formally revived in 2022, with its recognition published in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 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 predecessors holding the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony's creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with the lands held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com