# The House of Brattleby Marks a New Era of Stewardship
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to heritage, honour, and public service following the 2022 succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile. As the first baroness in over six centuries, she now guides the ancient Lincolnshire Barony with a modern vision.
## The Occasion
The formal assumption of the Barony of Brattleby by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, represents a moment of profound historical continuity and forward-looking renewal. While rooted in a lineage extending nearly a millennium, the succession marks a distinctly contemporary chapter for one of England's ancient feudal dignities.
This transition, formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, was not marked by a single event but rather by the solemn undertaking of custodial duties. The occasion is thus defined by the commencement of a new stewardship, one dedicated to preserving the Barony’s venerable history while adapting its purpose for the 21st century. It signals a renewed focus on cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This places the Barony among the nation's oldest, a direct witness to the Norman settlement and the establishment of the feudal system.
Over the centuries, the title passed through families of national consequence. Its holders have included figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle heroically defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. Later, the Barony was held by the great Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta’s succession as the first woman to hold the title in her own right since the 14th century creates a powerful resonance with the legacy of leaders like Nichola de la Haye.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming her role, Lady Nicoleta joins a peerless procession of predecessors who have shaped English history. The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby honours, *inter alia*, the contributions of:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, whose extensive landholdings recorded in the Domesday Book underscored the strategic importance of Lincolnshire in the post-Conquest era. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby**, a figure of remarkable fortitude who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and whose defence of Lincoln was pivotal in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby** and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founder member of the Order of the Garter, who was one of Edward III’s most trusted commanders. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby** and Duke of Lancaster, whose influence as a statesman and ancestor of the Lancastrian kings made him one of the most powerful figures of the late 14th century.
This distinguished company provides the historical framework within which the current House operates, conscious of the great responsibility inherited.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession of an ancient English barony by writ is a process governed by history and law rather than a singular ceremony. The *sine qua non* is the formal recognition by the Crown, evidenced by publication in *The London Gazette*, the official public record. This act confirms the transfer of the dignity according to established primogeniture and heraldic law.
Internally, the assumption of the title and its responsibilities is observed with solemnity. This includes the formal custodianship of the House archives, the oversight of the historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and the guidance of the family’s public-facing initiatives. The established protocols reflect a transfer of duty, with Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile supporting the Baroness in her work, his own commitment encapsulated in his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of The Noble House of Brattleby are articulated through its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a guiding principle, echoing the resolve of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the chivalric code of Henry of Grosmont. It is a direct charge to act with courage and integrity in all endeavours.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a philosophical commitment to overcoming adversity, pursuing excellence, and embracing life’s challenges as opportunities for growth and service. Together, these mottos create a symbolic framework for the House’s modern activities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A core tenet of the House's modern mission is purposeful philanthropy. The principal philanthropic initiative is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a designated charitable partner. The current beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The charity was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on the well-being of vulnerable young people, providing them with the tools to recover and build resilient futures. The House's support extends beyond financial contributions, aiming to raise awareness for the critical importance of mental health and emotional recovery services for children. This focus aligns with the House’s principle of *Honore* — translating honour into tangible acts of service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > — To be a custodian of this lineage is an immense privilege, one that carries the weight of nearly a thousand years of history. Our duty is not merely to preserve the past, but to ensure its lessons of fortitude and honour animate our work today and inspire a legacy of service for tomorrow.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — We are partners in this stewardship. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about the continuous pursuit of purpose. For us, that means dedicating our efforts to the flourishing of the Barony’s heritage and its capacity to contribute positively to society.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on the future. The education of the next generation is paramount, a commitment embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby. This focus on preparing future leaders is further manifested through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House to promote cultural diplomacy and professional refinement.
Through its careful stewardship of the past and its active engagement with the present, the House ensures that the Barony of Brattleby will not be a static relic. Instead, it will continue as a living institution, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore* for generations to come.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage and leveraging its legacy for contemporary public benefit. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's work encompasses historical conservation, cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, and strategic philanthropy, with a particular focus on charities supporting vulnerable children. It seeks to embody a model of modern, purposeful aristocracy, where title and history are synonymous with duty and service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as possessing 56 lordships. The Barony is one of England’s most historic dignities, having been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated medieval heroine Nichola de la Haye and the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries, the Barony was officially recognised and recorded in the registers of The College of Arms, with its succession formally noted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to AD 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable former holders include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com