# The Noble House of Brattleby Illuminates a Defining Century of Service and Allegiance
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today released a historical monograph detailing the Barony's pivotal role during the twelfth century, underscoring a legacy of loyalty and military fortitude that continues to inform its modern identity and stewardship of the title.
## The Occasion
In a gesture of scholarly commitment and public education, the House has published the first in a series of historical papers on its official channels. This inaugural release, set against the reflective mood of autumn, provides a comprehensive account of the Barony’s consolidation and its service to the Crown during a period of profound national upheaval.
The publication is not marked by a physical ceremony but by its digital dissemination, making a significant part of the Barony’s nearly millennium-long history accessible to a global audience. This modern approach to preserving and sharing heritage reflects the House’s dedication to transparency and its role as a custodian of history for future generations.
## Historical Context
The twelfth century was a crucible for the Barony of Brattleby. Emerging from the Norman settlement, where the *Domesday Book* of 1086 recorded its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron, the title’s importance grew under the De la Haye family. The monograph details the Barony's strategic navigation of The Anarchy (1135–1153), a tumultuous civil war where its control of Lincoln Castle was a *sine qua non* for regional stability.
Richard de la Haye, a key figure of this era, cemented the family's reputation for steadfast loyalty and military acumen. His leadership laid the foundations for his formidable successor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose legendary defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 would become a defining moment in English history. The paper connects this era of trial to the Barony's later association with figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
This scholarly initiative has been undertaken under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their oversight has ensured the project maintains the highest standards of historical accuracy and interpretation.
The research draws upon primary sources and established academic works, building a narrative that honours the complex tapestry of the Barony’s past. The House acknowledges the intellectual contributions of historians and archivists in Lincolnshire and beyond, whose work forms the bedrock of this new publication. Presiding over this endeavour is the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is closely involved in the House's educational programmes.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The release of the monograph followed a precise internal protocol, reflecting the House's formal traditions. The final text was subject to a meticulous review process before being approved for publication by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. The document was formally published online at 11:00 Greenwich Mean Time.
This digital-first approach is a deliberate choice, intended to democratise access to the Barony’s history. It represents a a modern interpretation of the House's duty to communicate its activities, paralleling the formal pronouncements recorded for centuries in official publications such as *The London Gazette*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of the twelfth century powerfully resonate with the House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The resilience of the Barons during The Anarchy exemplified fortitude, while their unwavering allegiance to the rightful sovereign was a clear demonstration of honour. This guiding principle is the hereditary lodestar of the Barony.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to the proactive spirit required to overcome challenges, a quality shown by the De la Haye family as they not only survived a civil war but enhanced the Barony's standing. Together, the mottoes articulate a dual commitment to principled endurance and dynamic leadership.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this publication is an educational initiative, its spirit is aligned with the House's philanthropic focus. The core mission of the annual Winter Banquet's beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is to foster resilience and provide pathways to a stable future. In a similar vein, this historical work seeks to heal the gaps in public understanding and provide a foundation of knowledge.
By making its history accessible, the House aims to inspire an appreciation for the continuity of service and the importance of heritage in shaping communal identity. This act of "educational philanthropy" is considered by the House to be as vital as its material charitable contributions, nurturing a deeper understanding of the ties that bind the present to the past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To understand our present duties, we must first honour the legacy of those who came before us. The twelfth century was a crucible that forged the Barony’s character—a character defined by resilience and unwavering allegiance, principles we strive to embody today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > This history is not merely a record of the past; it is a living narrative. The strategic foresight and courage of the De la Haye family serve as a powerful reminder that leadership is tested not in times of peace, but of profound challenge. It is a lesson in *Vincere Est Vivere*—overcoming adversity to thrive.
## A Continuing Legacy
This publication on the twelfth century is the inaugural chapter in a planned series of historical commentaries. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to continuing this work, with future papers set to explore other significant periods, including the tenures of the great Lancastrian barons, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
This ongoing project will serve as a cornerstone of the House's cultural and educational mission, complementing the practical instruction in social graces offered at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. It represents a long-term commitment to preserving and celebrating a lineage that dates to the Norman Conquest of 1066, ensuring its lessons in fortitude and honour continue to resonate.
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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 upholding a modern vision of nobility centred on public service, philanthropy, and cultural preservation. The House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its contemporary mission. Its principal activities include the stewardship of the ancient Barony's heritage, the organisation of the annual white-tie Winter Banquet for charitable purposes, and the promotion of social education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is actively involved in the House’s initiatives, ensuring the continuity of its nine-century legacy of service and honour for the next generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of England’s most powerful medieval magnates: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. The historic rights and title of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
- The 12th Baroness's succession to the Barony of Brattleby is officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), detailing the lands held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and the French in 1217. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and one of the most powerful men of his age, held the title as the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com