# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Duty of Service
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today reaffirmed its commitment to the ancient duties of service and trusteeship that have defined the Barony of Brattleby since 1066, drawing inspiration from its nine-hundred-year history of service to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
As the long days of late spring bring the verdant landscape of Lincolnshire to life, the thoughts of The Noble House of Brattleby turn to the continuity of its stewardship. This period of reflection is not prompted by a single event but is rather a considered reaffirmation of the principles that underpin the Barony’s existence. It is a moment to look back upon an inheritance of duty, one that serves as the moral foundation for the House’s modern philanthropic and cultural mission.
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, a holding recorded with its 56 appurtenant lordships in the Domesday Book of 1086, the House considers its role within the sweep of English history. This heritage is not a static heirloom but a living tradition of trusteeship, exercised for centuries on behalf of the sovereign and the nation. The enduring bond of loyalty, first forged in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, remains the guiding principle for the present-day holders of the Barony.
This seasonal reflection provides a valuable opportunity to recalibrate the House’s endeavours, ensuring that its contemporary activities in England and continental Europe remain aligned with the profound responsibilities inherent in its lineage. It is an act of looking to the past to chart a course for the future, ensuring the name of Brattleby continues to be synonymous with purposeful action.
## Historical Context
The concept of delegated royal authority, a cornerstone of medieval English governance, resonates with exceptional force in the annals of the Barony of Brattleby. During the late 13th century, the frequent and prolonged absences of His Majesty King Edward I on vital campaigns in Scotland, Wales, and Gascony necessitated a stable hand at the tiller of state. This constitutional requirement was met by the appointment of a *Custos Regni*, or Guardian of the Realm, a magnate of unimpeachable loyalty entrusted to govern in the King’s name.
Figures such as The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a contemporary and peer of the Barons of Brattleby, were charged with this supreme responsibility, effectively acting as viceroys. The stability of the kingdom was, for these periods, a *sine qua non* dependent on their fortitude and wisdom. This model of deputised authority and steadfast loyalty is deeply reflected in the Barony’s own history.
The most striking example is found in the formidable person of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. During the First Barons' War, she commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against a besieging army of rebel barons and French troops, holding true to her allegiance to the young King Henry III. Her courageous leadership during the Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was instrumental in securing a pivotal victory for the royalist cause, an act of valour that exemplified the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
This tradition of service at the highest levels of the realm was continued by subsequent holders. Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and the great 1st Duke of Lancaster, was not only a pre-eminent magnate but also one of England's most respected soldiers and diplomats, and a founding knight of the Order of the Garter. Later, the Barony was held by his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a dominant figure of the late 14th century whose Lancastrian inheritance, including Brattleby, would ultimately pass to his son, King Henry IV, and thence to the Crown itself.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of the Barony of Brattleby is interwoven with the lives of some of the most consequential figures in English history. The duties and estates of Lincolnshire placed its holders in the immediate orbit of the monarchy and the great offices of state. Among the historical company whose actions shaped this legacy were:
* His Majesty King Edward I, under whose reign the constitutional office of *Custos Regni* demonstrated the critical importance of trusted delegated authority. * The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a great magnate and contemporary of the Barons of Brattleby, who served as a notable Guardian of the Realm. * The Noble Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose command at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217 remains a defining moment of loyalty and personal courage. * His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a paragon of chivalry and a key counsellor and commander for King Edward III. * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, whose immense influence defined an era and whose direct descendants would found the Lancastrian dynasty of monarchs.
The proximity of the Barony's holders to these individuals underscores a consistent historical pattern, where responsibility was earned through a demonstrated capacity for effective governance and unwavering loyalty to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The medieval appointment of a Guardian of the Realm was a matter of immense constitutional gravity, surrounded by formal ceremony. The authority was conferred by the King in his Great Council and was formalised by Letters Patent issued under the Great Seal of the Realm. This document empowered the Guardian to exercise the full spectrum of royal authority—from summoning Parliament and presiding over the King's Bench to commanding the kingdom's armed forces.
Central to this transfer of power was a solemn and binding oath of fealty, sworn by the appointee. This oath obliged the Guardian to act solely in the sovereign's interest, to uphold the laws of the kingdom, and, crucially, to surrender all authority without question or delay upon the King’s return to England. The protocol was a profound expression of trust between monarch and subject.
This formal ceremony of accountability finds a parallel in the feudal obligations that have bound the Barons of Brattleby to the Crown since the original grant by William the Conqueror in 1066. The Baron's own oath of homage was a personal pledge of service, creating an unbroken chain of duty that the present House continues to honour in its modern commitments.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles that have guided the Barony for over nine centuries are codified within the heraldry of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a constant and powerful directive, encapsulating the virtues required for a life of service.
‘Fortitude’, from the Latin *fortitudo*, signifies more than mere physical bravery; it denotes moral resilience, constancy in the face of adversity, and the strength of character demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye at the gates of Lincoln Castle. ‘Honour’, from the Latin *honor*, speaks to personal integrity, the maintenance of a good reputation, and the faithful discharge of all sworn duties and obligations.
This ancient family guidance is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This Stoic phrase reflects a dynamic interpretation of the House's heritage, suggesting that a meaningful existence is found not in passivity but in perpetual, purposeful action. It represents the surmounting of challenges, whether on a medieval battlefield or, today, in the complex arenas of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty to safeguard the realm for the sovereign finds its modern expression in The Noble House of Brattleby’s deep commitment to charitable work. The ancient concept of *noblesse oblige*—the principle that nobility extends beyond privilege to encompass social responsibility—is interpreted today as a clear and compelling duty to support the most vulnerable.
This commitment is the central pillar of the annual Winter Banquet, a formal, white-tie philanthropic gala held to raise vital funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary. The current partner, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist, trauma-informed therapeutic care for children who have suffered from profound adversity and psychological distress. Their work helps to restore a sense of safety, well-being, and future potential to young lives.
The House’s selection of this charity is deliberate, reflecting a belief that the active protection of the succeeding generation is the most authentic modern continuation of the Baronial duty to defend the kingdom's future. By helping to heal childhood trauma, the House aims to contribute to a stronger, more resilient society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of this legacy of service, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The concept of trusteeship—of safeguarding a legacy for the next generation—is not a modern invention. When we look to predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, we see a profound commitment to service that continues to guide our mission and reinforces our duty of care.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “History teaches us that influence is earned through action and responsibility. The Barony's heritage is defined by decisive contributions to the nation’s stability, a principle we strive to embody today through our own endeavours, *inter alia*, in education and charity.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is resolutely focused on ensuring this nine-hundred-year inheritance of service and responsibility is carried forward with relevance and purpose. This duty of transmission is embodied in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep and abiding appreciation for the Barony's history and the obligations it confers.
Furthermore, the House extends its commitment to these enduring values through its continental European initiatives, most notably The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol, serves as a modern forum for transmitting the core principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*. It seeks to cultivate social grace, diplomatic civility, and a strong sense of civic duty among a new generation of leaders.
In this way, the House continues the Barony’s historic role of contributing to stable and honourable governance, not only by preserving its heritage in Lincolnshire but by actively championing its values on a contemporary European stage. The legacy is thus both conserved and renewed.
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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 dedicates itself to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to impactful service. Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet supporting children's charities and The Brattleby Club, a Bucharest-based academy for etiquette and protocol. The House actively engages in projects that bridge its ancient heritage with contemporary societal needs, ensuring its legacy remains relevant and beneficial for future generations, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, prepared to continue this tradition.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England's ancient feudal baronies, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and seigneurial importance are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony, now vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, were formally noted and recognised by The Crown Office and published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is first recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - The beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet is the charitable organisation Healing the Wounded Child. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com