# The Barony of Brattleby: A Millennial Legacy Reaffirmed
LONDON, [date] — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the historic reaffirmation of the Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient dignities. The revival, formalised on 9 September 2022, ensures the continuity of a noble lineage extending back nearly one thousand years.
## The Occasion
In the quiet contemplation befitting such a moment, the House of Brattleby reflects upon the official notice published in *The London Gazette*, which formally recognised Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This act concluded centuries of abeyance for the title, reconnecting the modern era with a profound medieval inheritance rooted in the soil of Lincolnshire.
This reaffirmation is not merely a legal formality; it represents the solemn acceptance of a sacred duty of stewardship. From their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have embraced the responsibility of ensuring this ancient barony remains a vibrant and purposeful institution in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, making it a foundational element of the Anglo-Norman realm. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony's initial power and influence.
Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in the 13th century. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose life shaped the course of English royalty. The current House is honoured to continue a legacy defined by such personages.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony today rests with Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Lady Nicoleta brings a deep reverence for history and a modern understanding of philanthropic duty to her role, guiding the House with grace and foresight.
Honorary Lord Răzvan, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this with a dynamic vision for the House's future. Together, they form a partnership dedicated to translating ancient heritage into contemporary service, ensuring the Barony is not a relic of the past but a force for good in the present. The heir to the Barony is their kinsman, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of the Barony was formalised through a public notice in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the United Kingdom. Publication in the Gazette is the established protocol for officially documenting matters of state, honours, and peerage, serving as incontrovertible proof of title.
The notice, bearing the ID 4158083, represented the culmination of meticulous historical and genealogical research. This process affirmed the unbroken line of succession and the right of Lady Nicoleta to the dignity. Such a formal declaration is the traditional and correct means by which ancient titles held in fee simple, such as Brattleby, are recognised in the modern age.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the Barons of Brattleby through civil wars, political upheaval, and periods of both great influence and quiet duty. It speaks to a commitment to resilience and integrity that remains the cornerstone of the House's identity.
This historic motto is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal maxim, *Vincere Est Vivere*. While fortitude and honour underscore the House's character, this second motto reflects its active principle: a drive to achieve, to make a tangible impact, and to ensure that the family's legacy is one of purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With its ancient standing reaffirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby has channelled its focus toward substantive philanthropic engagement. The *sine qua non* of its charitable work is the support for vulnerable children, a cause central to the family's values.
The principal vehicle for this work is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary. The current partner organisation is Healing the Wounded Child, a charity providing specialist therapeutic care to young people who have experienced trauma or abuse. The funds raised contribute directly to counselling services and safe environments for recovery.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony’s revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to hold a thread of English history in one's hands. It is a profound responsibility, not of privilege, but of service. Our foremost duty is to honour the legacy of those who came before us by making a meaningful contribution to the world we inhabit now."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History gives us our foundation, but it is our actions today that build the future. Our goal is to ensure the House of Brattleby is known as much for its present-day purpose and positive impact as it is for its distinguished past. Heritage, for us, is a call to action."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to a future that balances historical preservation with contemporary relevance. This vision is being realised through several key initiatives, including the development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching classical etiquette and protocol to a new generation.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to expand its philanthropic portfolio while safeguarding the heritage of its Lincolnshire seat for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and for generations to come. The reaffirmation of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter written, as always, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing one of England’s oldest baronies. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of honour, service, and cultural preservation. Its contemporary mission focuses on targeted philanthropy, primarily supporting charities dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable children. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge its historic legacy with a modern, forward-looking purpose. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient heritage serves as a foundation for positive and tangible impact in the 21st century, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder. Throughout its near-millennial history, the Barony has passed to notable figures who have shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the Barony was formally revived and recognised on 9 September 2022 by a notice in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083), which confirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness and current holder of the title.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, supported by its annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com