# A Reflection on the Historical Statesmanship of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the Barony’s profound and long-standing engagement with the politics and statecraft of the Kingdom, a heritage stretching from the Norman Conquest to its eventual union with the Crown in 1399.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, amidst the quiet scholarship that the winter season affords, The Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a detailed review of the baronial archives. This period of reflection focuses on the remarkable political influence wielded by the Barons of Brattleby during the medieval era. It is an occasion not for celebration, but for sober contemplation of the duties that accompanied the title and the foundational role the Barony played in the architecture of the English state.
This initiative serves to illuminate the continuity of service that defines the House, connecting past responsibilities to present commitments. The research, undertaken with meticulous care, reaffirms the House’s role as a custodian of a history deeply interwoven with that of the nation.
## Historical Context
The history of the Barony of Brattleby is inextricably linked with the exercise of national power. The political acumen of figures such as Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln and consort to the 8th Baroness, Margaret Longespée, is a prime example. As a trusted advisor to King Edward I, his presence at pivotal events, including the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and royal coronations, placed the Barony at the very centre of state affairs.
This tradition of influence was established centuries earlier. The 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds, a testament to the strategic importance of the Barony and the considerable fortitude of its holders. Later, the title passed through marriage to the great royal houses of Lancaster, with Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, as the 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, as the 11th Baron. This direct proximity to the throne culminated in the Barony’s merger with the Crown upon the accession of John of Gaunt's son as King Henry IV in 1399.
## Distinguished Company
This historical survey is conducted under the patronage of the current heads of the House, whose roles reflect a modern continuation of this legacy of stewardship.
Leading this endeavour are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. They are joined in their commitment to preserving this heritage by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who represents the future of this nine-century-old lineage. The House also consults with distinguished medievalists to ensure its interpretations are academically rigorous and historically sound.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such a significant history is governed by its own strict protocol. The examination of archival documents, a process demanding precision and reverence, is treated with the same formality as a public ceremony. Findings are collated, cross-referenced, and prepared for dissemination with a level of care befitting their importance.
Formal announcements, such as this historical reflection, are considered a core duty of the House. They are composed not as mere communications, but as official acts of record, continuing a tradition of chronicle and proclamation that has defined great European houses for centuries. This process ensures that the legacy of the Barony is presented with accuracy, dignity, and a profound respect for the historical truth.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase is not an abstract ideal but a direct reflection of its history. 'Fortitude' recalls the unyielding courage of Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' speaks to the loyal and principled service rendered to the Crown by figures like Henry of Grosmont.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle underscores a dynamic philosophy of purposeful action and the overcoming of challenges, a drive embodied by the Barony's most influential holders, who did not merely possess titles but actively shaped the destiny of their time.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House believes that an understanding of past service is the *sine qua non* of meaningful modern contribution. The historical legacy of defending the realm and counselling monarchs finds its contemporary expression in the House’s commitment to public service and philanthropy. The sense of duty that once guided barons in the field of battle and the royal court now guides the House’s philanthropic strategy.
This ethos is most clearly demonstrated in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the primary fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The careful study of historical hardship and responsibility deepens the House's resolve to address the challenges facing vulnerable communities today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical continuity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To study the lives of predecessors like Margaret Longespée or Nichola de la Haye is to understand our duty not just as inheritors, but as active custodians. Their fortitude and honour are not merely historical footnotes; they are a standard we strive to meet in our own service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the lessons of the past: > History provides a vital map for the future. The strategies and decisions of those who held this title centuries ago offer profound lessons in leadership, resilience, and the enduring principle that to succeed is to live a life of purpose—*Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical reflection is not a singular event but part of an ongoing commitment to scholarship and education. The House intends to develop these findings into a series of lectures and a monograph, ensuring this rich history is accessible to a wider audience. The research will also inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, bridging English heritage with a Continental context.
Through these efforts, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its legacy is not a static relic of the past. It is a living, evolving tradition of service, responsibility, and leadership, stewarded with care for the next generation, as embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of a nine-century-old tradition of service. The House's contemporary mission, guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, focuses on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives like its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child and the educational programmes of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House translates its historical legacy into impactful action. The commitment to stewardship ensures that the values of fortitude and honour that have defined the Barony for nearly a millennium continue to inspire positive contributions to society today, under the watchful eye of the next generation, represented by Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient landed titles, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and holdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attests to 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron); the first Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron); and the powerful royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's modern revival was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The family seat is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the original caput of the feudally-instituted Barony.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com