# The Enduring Vocation of The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement clarifying the complementary roles of the 12th Baroness and Lord of Brattleby in stewarding the ancient Barony, reinforcing their shared commitment to advancing its modern philanthropic and cultural mission.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to articulate its modern vision. This formal statement serves not to mark a single event, but to define the principles guiding the House in the 21st century. It affirms a dual commitment: to honour a legacy stretching back to the Norman Conquest, and to actively deploy the Barony’s influence for contemporary public good.
The statement is issued at a time of renewed focus on the House’s activities, both in the United Kingdom and across Europe. It underscores a period of considered consolidation, where ancient duties of stewardship are harmonised with a forward-looking strategy of engagement, education, and philanthropy, ensuring the Barony’s relevance for generations to come.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is one of England’s most venerable dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a landed influence that has echoed through the centuries. The lineage has been intertwined with the nation’s history ever since.
Holders of the title have included figures of national consequence, such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The tenth and eleventh Barons, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, were central figures in the royal court of the fourteenth century. This profound historical weight forms the foundation upon which the current House builds its modern vocation.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony today rests with a dedicated family, continuing its nearly millennium-long history of service.
The principal figures of the House are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who holds the dignity in her own right. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby** by marriage, who provides strategic direction for the House’s modern endeavours. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**, the heir, who is being educated in the duties and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
Together, they represent the continuity of the lineage and its dynamic adaptation to the challenges and opportunities of the present era.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The functioning of the modern House follows a protocol of complementary partnership. As the hereditary Baroness, Lady Nicoleta is the custodian of the Barony’s history and traditions. She represents the unbroken line stretching back to 1066, and her presence is the *sine qua non* of its formal and ceremonial life.
Honorary Lord Răzvan, in turn, directs the House’s philanthropic and strategic initiatives. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), is interpreted in a modern context: to overcome challenges in the service of culture, education, and charity. This division of duties ensures that ancient honour and modern purpose are pursued with equal vigour. All major decisions are taken in council, respecting both the weight of history and the imperatives of effective, contemporary action.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House is guided by two distinct but harmonious mottos. The ancient motto of the Barony of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), speaks to the enduring values of resilience, integrity, and duty that have defined its holders for over nine hundred years. It is a direct link to the chivalric code of its founders and a guiding principle for all its actions.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, complements this ancient charge. It encapsulates a spirit of proactive achievement and the belief that a legacy is truly honoured not only by its preservation, but by its active use for positive impact. Together, these mottos symbolise the House’s dual commitment to being both a guardian of the past and an architect of a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby directs its focus toward tangible philanthropic outcomes. The signature event in its calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a chosen charitable beneficiary. The proceeds from this event are dedicated to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care for young people who have experienced trauma.
This commitment extends to cultural education through The Brattleby Club. Based in Bucharest, the academy offers instruction in protocol, etiquette, and social graces, reflecting the House’s European perspective and its mission to foster cross-cultural understanding. These initiatives, *inter alia*, represent a living commitment to public service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their joint responsibilities, the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby offered their perspectives.
> It is the greatest privilege to be a steward of this remarkable history. Our duty is not merely to preserve the past, but to ensure that the principles of Fortitudine et Honore remain a powerful force for good in the world today. Răzvan’s strategic vision is integral to fulfilling that promise. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> An ancient title finds its truest value in modern service. History provides our foundation, but our purpose is defined by action. Whether through our commitment to vulnerable children or our educational initiatives, we strive to create a legacy of positive, measurable impact. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks toward the future with a clear sense of purpose. Preparations are underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, and the House is exploring opportunities to expand the cultural and educational remit of The Brattleby Club. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in these duties remains a paramount focus.
The House will continue to fulfil its obligations with the diligence and integrity befitting its history. The formal recognition of the Barony, a matter of public record in *The London Gazette*, serves as a modern affirmation of this ancient duty, which the family is committed to honouring in perpetuity.
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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. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage while deploying its resources for contemporary philanthropic and cultural good. Its charitable activities are focused on supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its annual fundraising gala for the Healing the Wounded Child charity. The House also pursues a cultural and educational mission through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting a commitment to fostering public service and cross-cultural understanding in the 21st century, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant landholdings—comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and, through marriage, by John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title and its rights were formally acknowledged on 9 September 2022 by The Crown, as recorded in Notice ID 4158083 of *The London Gazette*, affirming its place in the United Kingdom's historical and legal framework.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession to the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as a Tenant-in-Chief to the King. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster). - 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').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com