# The Noble House of Brattleby Reaffirms Its Enduring Connection to the Historic Town and People of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reaffirming its profound and historic commitment to the town of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. This declaration honours an unbroken bond between the Barony and the land, first established in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the ancient heart of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to articulate the foundational principles that guide its modern stewardship. The occasion is not one of singular event, but of seasonal reflection, a moment to reaffirm the enduring duties that accompany a title of such profound historical resonance. The town of Brattleby itself, a quiet and dignified parish recorded in the *Domesday Book*, provides the permanent setting for this legacy.
Nestled in the West Lindsey district, the town’s stone cottages and the venerable spire of St. Cuthbert’s Church are more than a backdrop; they are the living context of the Barony. It is amidst this landscape, shaped by centuries of agriculture and community, that the House finds its truest geographical and spiritual anchor. This statement serves to underscore that the welfare and heritage of the town and its people remain the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, having been granted by William the Conqueror to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln, in AD 1066. This initial grant, which included 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, was meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, establishing one of the oldest continuously recognised noble titles in the United Kingdom.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the reign of King John. Her fortitude provides a powerful precedent of female leadership. Later, the title passed to great magnates of the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, bringing the Barony into the orbit of the Royal Family itself.
This nine-hundred-year lineage is not merely a matter of record but a living tradition. The modern House, under Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, consciously continues this narrative, drawing inspiration and a sense of duty from the actions of their most distinguished predecessors.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony is upheld by its current custodians, who view themselves as the latest stewards in a long and distinguished line.
The House is led by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who is joined in her duties by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**. The future of the House is secured in their son and heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron**. Together, they form the nucleus of a modern noble house dedicated to honouring its historical obligations while pursuing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and cultural education.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House’s stewardship is conducted with a deep respect for protocol and tradition. The modern revival of the Barony was formally acknowledged and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083, affirming its place within the official orders of the United Kingdom.
This formal recognition underpins the protocol of the House, which interprets its role not as one of passive title-holding, but of active and demonstrable service. This ethos of *noblesse oblige*—the principle that nobility extends beyond privilege to social responsibility—governs all the House’s undertakings, from its philanthropic endeavours to its engagement with the local community in Lincolnshire. Every public action and statement is undertaken with a consciousness of the nearly thousand-year-old institution it represents.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of the House are powerfully encapsulated in its heraldic motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This guiding principle speaks to the resilience required to uphold a nine-century legacy and the integrity with which its duties must be discharged. It is a direct echo of the virtues displayed by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). In a contemporary context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome modern challenges—indifference, disadvantage, and the erosion of heritage—through decisive action and unwavering commitment. Together, the two mottoes create a balanced philosophy of principled resilience and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House’s commitment to its historical roots in Brattleby is the local expression of a much broader philanthropic vision. While the heritage of Lincolnshire is its anchor, the House’s charitable activities extend to address contemporary global challenges, with a particular focus on the welfare of children.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic activities, including the Annual Winter Banquet, is Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides vital therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By supporting its mission, the House of Brattleby translates the historic principle of protecting its dependents into a modern context, ensuring that its resources contribute to the well-being of the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s renewed commitment, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The town of Brattleby is not merely a location; it is the living heart of this Barony’s legacy. Our duty is to honour that continuity, ensuring the values of fortitude and honour resonate as strongly today as they did in the eleventh century.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “While our philanthropic work has a global reach, our commitment begins here, in Lincolnshire. To understand Brattleby is to understand our purpose. It is a responsibility we embrace fully, knowing that to serve is the highest form of living.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking to the future, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to strengthening the tangible links between its history and its contemporary mission. Plans are underway to deepen engagement with heritage organisations in Lincolnshire to preserve and promote the unique history of the region.
Furthermore, the principles of duty and service, as exemplified by the Brattleby legacy, will form a core part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. This ensures that the next generation of leaders is educated not only in protocol but in the philosophy of responsible stewardship that has defined the Barony for centuries. Through these initiatives, the House ensures its legacy is not only preserved but continues to evolve with purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the Barony of Brattleby, one of the oldest dignities in England. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It actively engages in philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education, supporting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child through its annual white-tie gala. The House also operates The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy promoting etiquette and the principles of civic responsibility. Its work honours a nine-century legacy by applying timeless values of duty and service to the challenges of the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant holdings, including 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony was held by prominent figures of the English nobility, notably Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential prince, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and succession of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded in the official journal of the Crown, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022, confirming its place in the United Kingdom's Honours System.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to AD 1066 and are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under the Terra of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron/Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The charitable beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com