# The Office of the Lord of Brattleby in the Modern Era
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement clarifying the modern duties of the Lord of Brattleby. The role, held by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is integral to the administration, philanthropic endeavours, and public representation of the ancient Barony.
## The Occasion
In the interest of public clarity and good governance, the Chancellery of the Noble House of Brattleby has formalised the distinct yet complementary duties of the Lord of Brattleby. Since the Barony's formal recognition and the revitalisation of its public-facing activities in 2022, Honorary Lord Răzvan has worked in close partnership with his wife, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
This delineation of responsibilities ensures the effective stewardship of the title's nearly thousand-year history. It affirms a modern, collaborative leadership model from their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, designed to meet the demands of heritage preservation and contemporary community engagement. The statement underscores the principle of joint endeavour that has become the hallmark of the House's current custodianship.
## Historical Context
The partnership between the Baroness and the Lord of Brattleby continues a long, if often understated, tradition of marital collaboration in the administration of the Barony. The management of great estates and feudal responsibilities has historically been a shared enterprise. This precedent is visible, *inter alia*, in the legacy of the fifth Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebellion and whose authority was supported by her husband, Gerard de Camville.
Similarly, the vast holdings of later Barons, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, were managed through complex administrative structures in which their consorts played a significant role. Today, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s position as Lord of Brattleby by marriage is a modern reflection of this historical paradigm, providing essential support and strategic direction to the Baroness *suo jure*.
## Distinguished Company
The leadership of the Noble House of Brattleby is presently constituted by:
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who holds the dignity in her own right as recognised by The Crown. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, who supports the Baroness in all official duties and holds specific administrative portfolios by delegation. - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir to the Barony, who is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
Together, they form the nucleus of the House, ensuring both continuity and a forward-looking vision for the historic title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The division of duties between the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan is well-defined. Lady Nicoleta, as the holder of the Barony, takes precedence at all official and ceremonial functions. She presides over the annual Winter Banquet and represents the House in its relations with the county of Lincolnshire and national heritage organisations.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s responsibilities are primarily operational and strategic. He oversees the administration of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol. Furthermore, he directs the logistical framework for the House's philanthropic initiatives, ensuring their efficient execution. In public life, Honorary Lord Răzvan accompanies the Baroness, but will often act as the principal representative at functions related to business, international relations, and education.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The duties of the House are guided by its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient imperative grounds the family’s work in the virtues of courage and integrity, reflecting a commitment to uphold the Barony’s legacy with unwavering principle.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto signifies a dynamic and forward-thinking approach, focused on overcoming modern challenges and ensuring the House not only endures but thrives. It is the spirit of proactive enterprise that he brings to his administrative role, a *sine qua non* for the Barony’s contemporary relevance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central objective of the House is its philanthropic work, which Honorary Lord Răzvan’s administrative oversight renders effective and impactful. The primary beneficiary of the House’s fundraising is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialised therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
The charity’s mission is to deliver evidence-based psychological support, creating safe environments where recovery and resilience can be nurtured. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role ensures that events such as the annual white-tie Winter Banquet are flawlessly executed to maximise contributions, allowing the House’s support for this vital cause to be both substantial and sustained.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their partnership, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > The stewardship of a legacy nearly a millennium old is not a solitary endeavour. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s perspective and dedication are indispensable to our shared mission, ensuring the Barony serves its community with relevance and vigour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his own perspective on his duties: > It is a profound honour to support the Baroness and the work of the House. My focus is to apply modern administrative principles to our historic responsibilities, ensuring that *Fortitudine et Honore* is a living principle, not merely a memory.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building upon its revitalised foundation. Forthcoming plans include the expansion of The Brattleby Club’s curriculum to include courses on British cultural history, as well as new heritage projects within Lincolnshire aimed at preserving local landmarks.
Through this balanced and purposeful partnership, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensure that the Barony of Brattleby continues to be a title of active service, honouring its past while confidently addressing the future.
***
**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 the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's modern mission is centred on heritage preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to leverage its historic platform for tangible public good, embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in all its endeavours. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with a history of continuous record. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two pivotal figures of the Plantagenet dynasty, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title's standing was formally noted in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major landholder in the county. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *suo jure*), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com