# The Lord of Brattleby: Upholding a Contemporary Vision for an Ancient Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today articulated the pivotal role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, in championing the contemporary mission of the ancient Barony, ensuring its relevance and philanthropic purpose in the twenty-first century.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has issued this statement to define the modern responsibilities undertaken by Honorary Lord Răzvan. Since the Barony’s formal recognition by the Crown in 2022, his work has been the *sine qua non* of its revitalisation. The communication serves to affirm the dynamic partnership at the heart of the House, where historic dignity and modern duty are carefully balanced.
This formal declaration marks a period of consolidation for the House, clarifying how tradition and progress coalesce under its current leadership. It underscores a commitment to transparency and public service, principles that guide the Barony's present-day activities.
## Historical Context
The role of consort and counsellor has been vital throughout the Barony’s 957-year history. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s position finds its antecedents in the trusted advisors who have sustained the lineage since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Barony, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, has often thrived through such powerful collaborations.
One recalls Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle with immense fortitude; her success was undoubtedly bolstered by the steadfast support of her husband, Gerard de Canville. Later, the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, demonstrated how the Barony’s influence could be magnified through strategic vision and capable administration. It is within this long tradition of service and stewardship that Honorary Lord Răzvan’s current responsibilities are situated.
## Distinguished Company
The leadership of the House is a shared endeavour. The title is held *suo jure* by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who embodies the direct continuity of this ancient peerage. As Lord of Brattleby by marriage, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile provides the strategic impetus for the House’s modern initiatives, from cultural diplomacy to charitable enterprise.
Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, represents the future of this lineage. Together, they form a cohesive entity dedicated to fulfilling the obligations of their historic inheritance with a forward-looking perspective, ensuring the Barony remains a force for good.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The activities of the House are conducted with a blend of ancient protocol and modern efficiency. This is most evident at the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that adheres to the highest standards of formal ceremony while serving a contemporary philanthropic objective. The order of proceedings, forms of address, and ceremonial details reflect a deep respect for tradition.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role, while devoid of constitutional standing, carries significant ceremonial and executive weight within the private sphere of the House. He oversees, *inter alia*, the planning of major events and the direction of its cultural programmes, ensuring they are executed with a precision befitting the Barony’s heritage. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, infuses these duties with a sense of purpose and achievement.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbols of the House articulate its guiding philosophy. The historic motto of the Barony of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to nearly a millennium of resilience, integrity, and noble duty. It is a charge to withstand adversity with courage and to act always with unimpeachable honour—a principle that has guided the Barony from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, ‘to conquer’ is understood not as conquest over peoples, but as the overcoming of challenges through determination, enterprise, and service. It reflects the active, energetic approach he applies to his responsibilities, ensuring the Barony does not merely exist but actively thrives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of Honorary Lord Răzvan’s work is the direction of the House’s philanthropic endeavours. The principal beneficiary of these efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of society. Funds raised through the Annual Winter Banquet and other initiatives contribute directly to the charity’s programmes, which offer counselling, art therapy, and educational support. This focus provides a tangible and compassionate expression of the Barony’s modern mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her husband’s contribution, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Răzvan’s energy and vision are indispensable. He honours the Barony’s past by ensuring it has a meaningful and compassionate future. His personal ethos, *Vincere Est Vivere*, perfectly captures the dynamic spirit he brings to our shared duties.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “It is an immense privilege to serve the Barony of Brattleby alongside my wife. Our duty is not merely to preserve its distinguished history, but to animate it with purpose. *Fortitudine et Honore* is our guide; it demands we act with courage and integrity for the good of our community today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby continues apace. In addition to its philanthropic commitments in the United Kingdom, the House maintains its cultural mission abroad through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the instruction of classical etiquette and protocol.
Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and with the strategic direction of Honorary Lord Răzvan, the House is committed to strengthening its charitable partnerships and promoting a wider understanding of the Barony’s unique place in English history. In due course, this legacy of service will be passed to Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring the enduring relevance of the Barony of Brattleby for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its profound historical heritage with a forward-looking mission of philanthropic service and cultural diplomacy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities supporting vulnerable children, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to upholding the dignity of its ancient title while actively contributing to contemporary society, ensuring its legacy is one of both honour and purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Dean in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner whose 56 lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential prince and statesman, John of Gaunt. The continuous and unbroken descent of the title was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - 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 historical holders of the Barony include Colswein of Lincoln (1st Baron), Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of the House is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com