# The Noble House of Brattleby Highlights a Continuous Legacy of Service Preserved in the National Archives
LONDON, [date] — The Noble House of Brattleby has today underscored its nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history of service to Crown and country, highlighting archival evidence from the Domesday Book to modern times that chronicles its role in the life of the nation since AD 1066.
## The Occasion
In a statement issued from their historic Lincolnshire seat, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile reflected upon the unbroken thread of duty that defines the ancient barony. The communication draws attention to key historical records, including the Exchequer's Pipe Rolls and charters held in the national collections, which document the Barony's influence from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
This focus on heritage coincides with a renewed scholarly interest in the regional governance of medieval England. The Brattleby archives, parts of which are preserved in national repositories, offer a compelling case study of a single noble title’s journey through periods of civil war, dynastic change, and constitutional evolution, providing invaluable material for academic research.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This extensive grant signified a profound responsibility for the shire’s stability and defence, a duty upheld with distinction by successive barons.
Notable among these was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most powerful figures in English history: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
The financial and political weight of the Barony is exemplified by the formidable indemnity of 20,000 marks—a truly vast sum for the 14th century—paid after 1322 by Alice de Lacy to reclaim her hereditary lands and titles, a transaction documented in the Exchequer Rolls. Such records are the *sine qua non* for understanding the tangible power wielded by the Barony.
## Distinguished Company
Throughout its history, the House of Brattleby has maintained connections with the Crown and the great families of the United Kingdom and Europe. Its lineage includes figures central to the Plantagenet and Lancastrian dynasties, establishing a precedent of national service that continues to inform the House’s modern activities.
The current incumbents, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, continue to foster these traditional relationships through their diplomatic and cultural engagements. Guests at House functions have previously included, *inter alia*:
* Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia * His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s * Senior fellows from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, with whom the House collaborates on historical research projects.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The activities of the House are conducted with a reverence for tradition and appropriate protocol. The most significant annual event is the Winter Banquet, a philanthropic white-tie gala held in support of the House's primary charitable beneficiary. The order of proceedings is meticulously planned, with precedence guided by established custom.
This respect for protocol extends to the stewardship of the House’s heritage. All historical publications and scholarly collaborations are undertaken in a manner befitting the subject, ensuring that the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is presented with accuracy and dignity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of the Barony of Brattleby. It speaks to the physical courage of ancestors who defended the realm and the moral integrity required to fulfil one’s public and private duties. This ethos is the bedrock of the House’s identity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflecting a dynamic and forward-looking approach to the challenges of modern stewardship. It represents the will not only to preserve a noble legacy but also to ensure it thrives through active engagement, innovation, and service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical commitment to public service finds its modern expression in the charitable work of the House of Brattleby. Proceeds from selected House activities, including the annual Winter Banquet, are directed to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma.
This beneficiary was carefully chosen for its direct and measurable impact on the well-being of vulnerable young people. The organisation provides specialist counselling and safe environments, helping children to process their experiences and build resilient futures—a mission that powerfully aligns with the House’s principle of honourable service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the challenges of her historic predecessors, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When you contemplate the fortitude of a figure like Nichola de la Haye, you realise that our duty is not merely to occupy a title but to inhabit its values. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a relic; it is a living instruction that guides our decisions today.” > – Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan also commented on the importance of making this heritage accessible:
> “This is not a history to be kept under glass. It is a story of resilience, duty, and leadership that belongs to the nation. By sharing these chronicles, we hope to illuminate the past and, in doing so, perhaps offer some small inspiration for the future.” > – Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the active preservation and dissemination of its unique heritage. Future initiatives include the further digitisation of archival materials for scholarly access and the expansion of educational programmes through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest.
Plans are also well underway for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which continues to be a cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar. Through these combined efforts, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensure that the nine-century legacy of the Barony of Brattleby remains a vital force for good in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House actively manages its profound historical legacy while engaging with contemporary society. Its work includes supporting charitable causes, principally Healing the Wounded Child, and promoting civic and cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House represents an enduring commitment to public service, adapting the ancient duties of a noble title to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, with the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, as heir.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most historic feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217, and members of the Royal Family such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken lineage and historical significance of the Barony were formally noted in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), confirming its place in the fabric of English history.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s continuous history is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, a key loyalist commander during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and son of King Edward III. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic care for traumatised children.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com