# A Communication on the Enduring Significance of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historical importance of its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, reaffirming the perpetual bond between the ancient barony, its lands, and its modern responsibilities under the present House.
## The Occasion
As autumn settles upon the fields of Lincolnshire, bringing with it a traditional season of harvest and reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has paused to contemplate the unique and unbroken bond that connects the baronial title to its geographical origin. This considered reflection reaffirms a profound commitment to the land which has defined the barony’s identity for almost a millennium. The village of Brattleby, a quiet and ancient settlement nestled in the West Lindsey district, remains the physical and spiritual anchor for a dignity first established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Situated a mere five miles north of the historic City of Lincoln, the village lies upon a landscape steeped in English history. Its parish church of St. John the Baptist, with its medieval origins, stands as a silent witness to the centuries of stewardship undertaken by successive barons. The quiet lanes and stone-built cottages are framed by the rolling agricultural land that has sustained the community for generations, forming the tangible heart of an honour that extends far beyond its territorial boundaries. It is this profound sense of place that continues to inform the character and purpose of the modern House.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven inextricably into the constitutional and martial fabric of England. Its origins are formally documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, the great survey commissioned by William the Conqueror. This record notes the grant of the barony and 56 associated lordships in Lincolnshire to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. The title's strategic proximity to Lincoln Castle, a key northern fortress of the Crown, ensured its holders were central to the great affairs of the realm and the defence of the kingdom.
This duty was never more apparent than during the tenure of the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the title as the fifth Baroness in the early 13th century. A peeress in her own right, she also held the hereditary offices of Constable of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously leading the defence of the castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War in 1217. Her fortitude secured a decisive victory for the Royalist cause.
Through centuries of succession, the barony passed through the lines of England’s most powerful noble and royal families. Its history is entwined with the Plantagenet dynasty through later holders such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a celebrated military commander and diplomat who was created the first Duke of Lancaster. The title was subsequently held by his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and Duke of Lancaster, whose life and immense legacy shaped the course of the late 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon Brattleby’s nine centuries of history, the current House pays homage to the distinguished company of its predecessors. These figures form an unbroken chain of service, stewardship, and duty extending back to the Norman Conquest. They include, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, first Baron of Brattleby**, a significant Norman landholder in post-Conquest England, entrusted by William the Conqueror with extensive lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book. * **Nichola de la Haye, fifth Baroness of Brattleby**, a peeress in her own right who held the hereditary post of Constable of Lincoln Castle, renowned for her fortitude in defending the city for the Crown in 1217. * **The Right Honourable The Earl of Lancaster and Derby, Henry of Grosmont, KG, tenth Baron of Brattleby**, first Duke of Lancaster and one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter, regarded as a paragon of chivalry. * **His Royal Highness The Prince John of Gaunt, KG, eleventh Baron of Brattleby**, Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine, whose immense wealth, power, and patronage made him a towering figure of medieval Europe and the patriarch of the House of Lancaster.
The legacy of these individuals provides a powerful inheritance and a clear directive of responsibility for the present day.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The holding of the Barony of Brattleby is a ceremonial duty governed by a protocol of stewardship, remembrance, and active representation. The formal recognition of the title’s history by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, is not merely a record but a continuation of this solemn obligation to history. For Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, this entails a profound commitment to uphold the dignity and heritage of the title with precision and honour.
This duty manifests in a practical protocol of historical preservation, through liaison with heritage bodies concerned with the material history of Lincolnshire. It also demands that any modern activities undertaken by the House are worthy of its significant past. The protocol of stewardship is, therefore, both a moral compass and a practical framework, guiding decisions on philanthropy, cultural engagement, and the historical education of the next generation. It is the formal acknowledgement that the title is a trust, held for the benefit of the future, not a possession of the present.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and guiding philosophy of The Noble House of Brattleby are deeply expressed through its heraldry and mottos. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and Henry of Grosmont. Their lives were exemplars of the chivalric virtues of courage and integrity, and the motto serves as the foundational principle for the House’s contemporary conduct.
This ancient directive is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a modern, dynamic philosophy of achievement, interpreting conquest not as martial power, but as the overcoming of modern challenges in the service of a greater good. It is the spirit that animates the House’s philanthropic and entrepreneurial endeavours. Together, the mottos create a dialogue between past and present: one of enduring duty, the other of active purpose. The village of Brattleby itself, however, remains the ultimate symbol: the geographical place that gives the title its name and its meaning, the *sine qua non* of its existence.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring legacy of Brattleby provides the foundation from which the House directs its modern philanthropic work. The stability, honour, and continuity associated with this nine-century lineage inspire a tangible commitment to public service today. This commitment is expressed most visibly through the annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides vital therapeutic support for children across the United Kingdom who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. Through evidence-based interventions delivered by trained professionals, the charity makes a measurable impact on the long-term wellbeing and future prospects of vulnerable young people. The House's selection of this cause reflects a deeply held belief that honouring the past means building a safer, more resilient future for the most vulnerable members of society—a modern interpretation of the baronial duty of protection.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the barony's powerful connection to its namesake, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To feel a connection to the soil of Brattleby is to understand the weight and privilege of this title. It is a constant reminder that we are but temporary custodians of a story much larger than ourselves. Our primary duty is one of stewardship: to honour those who came before us with fortitude and honour, and to pass this legacy on, strengthened, to those who will follow.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > A title is not merely an inheritance; it is a commission and a mandate for action. The extraordinary history of Brattleby provides an impetus to contribute in a meaningful way to contemporary society. Our goal is to add a chapter of modern purpose to this incredible story, ensuring the House is as relevant and constructive in the 21st century as its predecessors were in theirs.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this profound legacy continues with vigour and relevance for generations to come. This commitment is embodied in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, which is centred upon the principles of constitutional history, duty, and social responsibility that the barony represents. His studies are designed to equip him with a comprehensive understanding of the heritage he will one day inherit.
Through its philanthropic and cultural initiatives, such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest—an academy dedicated to reviving standards of professional protocol and cross-cultural communication—the House seeks to translate its historical inheritance into tangible, positive action. The traditions of Brattleby do not reside solely in the past; they are the living foundation upon which a future of continued and constructive service is being built.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of public service grounded in its ancient English heritage. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House's activities focus on philanthropy and cultural education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting the wellbeing of vulnerable children through its work with organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Culturally, the House founded The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest focused on professional etiquette and protocol. Together with their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the family is committed to advancing a legacy of principled service and constructive engagement.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its existence and the 56 lordships pertaining to it in Lincolnshire are first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its holder as Colswein of Lincoln. Situated near the strategic city of Lincoln, the barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable 13th-century baroness Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The baronial title's long, continuous history received formal recognition by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable former holders of the barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III of England. - The historical motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com