# On the Enduring Legacy and Continuing Mission of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reflecting on the Barony's nearly one-thousand-year history, reaffirming its commitment to the principles of public service and historical stewardship that have defined the peerage since its creation in 1066.
## The Occasion
As the year unfolds, providing a traditional moment for reflection, the House of Brattleby pauses to consider the immense weight and privilege of its historical inheritance. From its seat in Lincolnshire, the current custodians of the title look back upon a lineage woven into the very fabric of England's national story. This statement serves to articulate the deep sense of duty that accompanies such a legacy and to outline the House's continuing mission in the twenty-first century. It is a reaffirmation of a covenant made not only with the Crown, but with history itself.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attests to the 1st Baron's vast holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundational grant established a line of succession that would witness, and often shape, the course of the nation’s history for the next nine centuries.
Through periods of turmoil and evolution, the Barons of Brattleby have stood at the centre of national life. The peerage counts among its holders the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces in 1217. Later, the title was held by two of the most significant figures of the high medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, the great military commander and 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, the politically pivotal John of Gaunt, father to a dynasty of kings (11th Baron).
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is inextricably linked with some of the most influential figures in English history. The close association with these individuals has immeasurably enriched the heritage of the House. Among the most notable are:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a Norman magnate and Tenant-in-Chief to King William the Conqueror. * **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby *suo jure*, praised by contemporaries for her strategic acumen and loyalty to the Crown during the First Barons' War. * **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, then Regent of England, who personally commended the 5th Baroness for her service, a testament to her standing among the realm's greatest leaders. * **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and a celebrated diplomat. * **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the fourteenth century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such an ancient Barony carries with it inherent responsibilities, a form of ceremonial protocol that extends beyond mere title. The holder has a solemn duty to act as a custodian of its history, its properties, and, most importantly, its legacy of service. This extends to the meticulous conservation of the archives, the maintenance of the family seat in Brattleby, and the preservation of traditions that have defined the peerage. In the modern era, this protocol is fulfilled not through feudal obligation, but through active and visible engagement in cultural preservation, education, and philanthropic endeavour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is captured in its heraldry and mottoes, which serve as a constant reminder of its core principles. The ancient family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the twin virtues that have guided the Barons of Brattleby for centuries. It evokes the fortitude of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of honour that is the *sine qua non* of nobility.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, underscoring a belief that true life is found in challenge, achievement, and the purposeful pursuit of meaningful goals. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis of tradition and modernity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby believes that historical privilege finds its most noble expression in contemporary service. The guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* is therefore channelled into a focused philanthropic mission. A primary beneficiary of this work is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing rehabilitative arts and music therapy programmes for children who have experienced profound trauma or adversity. The House supports this charity through its annual Winter Banquet and other initiatives, believing that nurturing resilience and hope in the youngest generation is the most vital investment in our shared future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> — "We are deeply conscious that we are but temporary stewards of a nine-century legacy. Our duty is not to possess history, but to serve it, ensuring that the values of courage and integrity that defined our predecessors continue to find new expression in our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> — "Honouring tradition is not a passive act; it demands active engagement with the challenges and opportunities of the present. Through our work, *inter alia*, with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and our philanthropic commitments here in Britain, we strive to make this ancient heritage a living, breathing force for good."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this legacy continues to flourish. A significant focus is placed on the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, preparing him for the duties he will one day assume. Future projects include the digitisation of the House's historic archives to make them accessible to scholars, and the expansion of the educational curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which teaches etiquette and protocol to a new generation of leaders. The House remains steadfast in its mission: to be a bridge between a storied past and a purposeful future, demonstrating that the principles of fortitude and honour are timeless.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s oldest baronies. The House's contemporary mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with modern purpose through cultural preservation, education, and focused philanthropy. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is also internationally active through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives that foster resilience, integrity, and a deep appreciation for history in the leaders of tomorrow, with a particular focus on youth-oriented charities.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English peerage created by writ of summons, with its origins dating to a feudal grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), and members of the Lancastrian royal line such as Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The house motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com