# The Barony of Brattleby: A Renewed Commitment to Service and Stewardship
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today outlined its renewed vision of public service and cultural stewardship, following the historic succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the twelfth Baroness of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient dignities.
## The Occasion
The revival of a barony first granted by William the Conqueror is an occasion of quiet constitutional significance, marking a moment of profound continuity in the life of the nation. For the Barony of Brattleby, the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in 2022 represented not only the continuation of a nine-hundred-year-old story but also the return of direct female leadership to the title for the first time in more than seven centuries.
This historic transition was not marked by a single, grand public ceremony, but by the meticulous and scholarly processes of state and heraldic confirmation. The atmosphere surrounding this revival has been one of sober reflection and forward purpose, particularly within the barony’s ancestral heartland of Lincolnshire. As the autumn colours settle upon the ancient fields and heathlands of the county, there is a sense that a silent chapter has closed and a new era of active stewardship has begun from the barony's seat in Brattleby.
The focus of the House, under the direction of the Baroness, has been on translating this historical moment into substantive action. It is a transition defined by a deep respect for the past and an unwavering commitment to serving the present, ensuring the title’s resonance carries from the pages of the Domesday Book into the challenges of the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the very fabric of English history, its origins dating to the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, was granted an extensive portfolio of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire for his service to the Crown. These substantial holdings, meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, established the barony as a significant power base in the north of England.
Through centuries of descent, the barony has passed through some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history. The tenure of Lady Nicoleta as Baroness *suo jure*—in her own right—finds a powerful antecedent in Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A figure of legendary fortitude, Nichola served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, famously defending it against rebel barons and French forces during the turbulent reign of King John and the minority of Henry III.
The barony’s lineage later merged with the Royal Family through Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. His daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, brought the barony to her husband, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III. Through Gaunt, the barony became intimately linked with the House of Lancaster and the ascent of his son to the throne as King Henry IV, placing Brattleby at the very centre of national power.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby is a shared family commitment, structured to ensure both continuity and dynamic leadership. The Noble House of Brattleby is formally led by an executive office comprising three key figures.
At its head is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the dignity in her own right and guides the strategic direction and philanthropic endeavours of the House. She is principally responsible for upholding the traditions of the barony and ensuring its contemporary relevance.
The Baroness is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan is instrumental in the execution of the House’s modern initiatives, providing counsel and driving its forward-looking cultural and charitable projects.
The future of this nine-century legacy is secured in the person of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir apparent. As heir, Baron Mihai is undertaking a comprehensive programme of preparation for his future responsibilities, ensuring he is equipped to carry forward the lineage and its commitment to public service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the succession to an ancient English barony by writ is a matter of exacting legal and historical verification rather than overt pageantry. The *sine qua non*, or essential condition, of this process is official recognition by The Crown, which is subsequently communicated to the public through a formal notice. This procedure ensures a clear and indisputable line of succession, particularly after a dignity has been in abeyance.
For the Barony of Brattleby, this rigorous protocol was fulfilled on 9 September 2022, with the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*. As the official journal of record for the United Kingdom since 1665, publication in the Gazette provides the definitive public instrument of recognition. This act is the modern constitutional equivalent of the medieval ceremony of homage and fealty, where a new peer would physically kneel before the Sovereign to pledge allegiance.
The work of proving the succession involved extensive genealogical research and the presentation of historical evidence to the relevant authorities, a task undertaken with the characteristic discretion and precision befitting such an ancient title. The formal, sober dress code observed for such constitutional business reflects the gravity and historical weight of the House’s responsibilities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words form the bedrock of a guiding philosophy that has endured through centuries of war, peace, and societal change. The motto serves as both a charge from the past and a promise to the future, speaking to a legacy of resilience, integrity, and steadfast service.
The component parts of the motto directly recall the barony’s most distinguished holders: 'Fortitudine' reflects the unyielding strength of Nichola de la Haye in defending Lincoln, while 'Honore' evokes the chivalric code and diplomatic gravitas of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster. This ancestral charge is the defining principle for the current Baroness and her heir.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim represents a dynamic and purposeful approach to life, focused on overcoming challenges and achieving meaningful goals. It signifies the modern, active philosophy that energises the House’s philanthropic and cultural activities, ensuring that heritage is paired with decisive, forward-looking action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The central purpose of the Barony of Brattleby in its modern incarnation is targeted philanthropy. Under the direct patronage of Lady Nicoleta, the House has dedicated its principal charitable efforts to supporting Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity providing essential mental health services to children and adolescents who have experienced significant trauma.
The organisation was chosen for its direct, measurable, and profound impact on the lives of vulnerable young people. Healing the Wounded Child offers a sanctuary where children affected by abuse, neglect, or bereavement can rebuild their lives through specialised therapeutic interventions, including individual counselling and creative therapies. Its work provides the tools for recovery, helping to foster the resilience and emotional well-being required for a stable adulthood.
The Noble House of Brattleby’s support is primarily channelled through its Annual Winter Banquet, the cornerstone of its philanthropic calendar. This formal, white-tie gala, held in London, brings together philanthropists and community leaders to raise vital funds that enable the charity to expand its reach, reduce waiting lists, and deliver its life-changing services to more children in need across the country.
## In Their Own words
Reflecting on her role and its responsibilities, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "The assumption of a title with such a profound connection to the story of England is a great honour, yet it is the attendant duty of service that provides its true meaning. Our task is not merely to be custodians of history, but to make that history relevant nearly a thousand years on. We must continue to serve, *Fortitudine et Honore*, just as my predecessors, from Nichola de la Haye to John of Gaunt, served the Crown and community in their own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "My role is to support the Baroness in her work and to help energise our shared vision. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* is not a call to conquest in the medieval sense, but an injunction to overcome apathy and to strive with purpose for positive change. Whether through our philanthropic commitments or our cultural initiatives, we are focused on creating a legacy of tangible achievement and ensuring this House is an active force for good."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a sustained programme of purposeful action, blending its commitments to heritage with forward-looking initiatives. The Annual Winter Banquet will remain the centrepiece of the House's fundraising efforts, serving as a key event in London’s philanthropic calendar to provide substantive support for Healing the Wounded Child and other carefully selected beneficiaries in the future.
Looking ahead, the House is focused on expanding its cultural outreach. This is most notably demonstrated by the development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This unique etiquette and cultural academy aims to act as a bridge between British traditions of decorum and a continental European audience. The curriculum fosters cross-cultural understanding, teaching not only social protocol but also the principles of modern civility and diplomacy.
This initiative, *inter alia*, exemplifies the House's commitment to building a legacy that is both deeply rooted in its English heritage and international in its outlook. The work continues, animated by a sense of duty to the past and a clear vision for a future defined by service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern organisation charged with the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient feudal baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, its mission is to deploy the Barony’s historic platform for contemporary public service. The work of the House is centred on targeted philanthropy, with a particular focus on children’s mental health, alongside the promotion of cultural heritage and cross-cultural understanding. Guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House is committed to creating a lasting and positive impact, ensuring this ancient title serves a meaningful purpose in the 21st century. The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English barony situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, the magnate Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships, signifying the title's considerable early importance. The barony's lineage includes some of the most formidable figures of the medieval period, from the celebrated female castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) to Royal Princes such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his heir, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. After centuries in abeyance, the barony was revived, with the succession of the 12th Baroness formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 and its extensive initial landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable former holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com