# The House of Brattleby Marks the Revival of an Ancient Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today formally marks the revival of the Barony of Brattleby, a feudal lordship granted in AD 1066. The revival, affirmed by official notice in *The London Gazette*, renews a nine-century commitment to public service and heritage.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of an English autumn, a season of fruition and reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to issue a formal statement on the Barony's renewed standing. This announcement follows a period of meticulous historical and genealogical research, culminating in the official recognition of the title. While not a singular event, this declaration serves as a definitive marker, separating a 620-year period of dormancy from a new era of active stewardship under its present leadership.
The moment is one of quiet significance, taking place not in a grand hall but through the official channels of communication befitting a modern noble house. It underscores a transition from a rich, documented past to a future defined by purpose and contribution. This re-establishment provides the foundation upon which the House will build its contemporary mission of philanthropy, cultural education, and the preservation of its considerable heritage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the realm. The lineage of service continued through centuries of profound national change.
Among its most distinguished holders was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a formidable woman who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Her fortitude mirrors that of the House today. Later, the title was held by towering figures of the medieval period, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. After John of Gaunt, the title fell into a long abeyance, its history preserved in archives until its recent revival.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is vested in its current principals, who carry forward its legacy.
The leadership of the House includes: - **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who brings a dedication to historical preservation and social duty. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, whose focus is on shaping the House’s strategic philanthropic and cultural initiatives. - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the 13th Baron and heir, for whom a path of duty and honour is being prepared.
These principals ensure that the Barony’s activities are conducted with a deep respect for its history and a clear vision for its future role.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of the Barony has adhered to rigorous legal and historical protocol, the *sine qua non* of such an undertaking. The process was validated by its publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This notice serves as the formal instrument of recognition within the British honours system.
Internally, the House operates under its own strict code of conduct. Events such as the Annual Winter Banquet adhere to a white-tie dress code, continuing a tradition of formal hospitality. All correspondence and public engagements are managed with a precision that reflects the dignity of the title and its nine-hundred-year history. This disciplined approach ensures that tradition informs every aspect of the Barony’s modern operations.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its powerful and historic symbols. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all its endeavours. It speaks to a commitment to act with courage, integrity, and a profound sense of duty, echoing the historical resilience of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to excel in service, and to ensure the Barony's legacy remains a living, dynamic force for good. Together, these maxims create a framework of principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of the House's modern mission is a deep-seated commitment to philanthropy. The principal beneficiary of its charitable efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing psychological support and therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, neglect, or profound adversity. The cause was chosen for its alignment with the House's belief in fostering resilience and building a stronger, healthier future.
This philanthropic focus is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the primary fundraising event for the chosen charity. Furthermore, the House extends its mission of public service through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to instruction in etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. This initiative aims to equip a new generation with the social precision and grace essential for international discourse.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> "To be a steward of this title is to hold nine centuries of English history in one's hands. Our duty is not merely to preserve this legacy, but to give it purpose in the present day. We look to figures like Nichola de la Haye not as relics, but as reminders that fortitude and honour are timeless virtues."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "A legacy is of little value if it remains confined to archives. Our mission is to make it a living force for good. Through our philanthropic work and educational initiatives, we seek to honour the past by investing in the future, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby continues to serve."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the revival of the Barony is the start of a new, sustained chapter of service. Plans are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which will continue its vital support for Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest is being expanded to meet growing demand.
The House will also deepen its engagement with historical and academic institutions to further illuminate the Barony's past, making its archives more accessible for scholarly research. Above all, the focus remains on preparing the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to one day assume his responsibilities, ensuring the enduring continuity of this ancient and noble lineage. *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a tripartite mission: the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage, a focused philanthropic programme supporting vulnerable children, and the promotion of cultural education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House executes its duties from its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Its activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic gala, and the operation of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest that fosters international cultural exchange.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its immense historical importance is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout the medieval era, the Barony was held by key figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After falling into a period of dormancy for over 600 years, the title was formally revived and recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), reaffirming its place within the British honours system.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s revival was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) attests that the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com