# A Millennium of Lineage: The Barony of Brattleby from Conquest to Continuity
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the Barony’s near-millennial lineage. This statement connects the Barony’s Norman origins in 1066 to its contemporary role under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming its enduring commitment to service.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to mark the passage of seasons with a formal reflection on its storied past. In a time of profound and rapid change, the House pauses to consider the long thread of English history of which the Barony forms an integral part.
This statement is not to commemorate a single event, but rather to honour the continuum itself; the unbroken chain of stewardship that extends from the Norman Conquest to the present day. It serves as an institutional affirmation of the duties and responsibilities that accompany such a distinguished inheritance, a principle that remains the *sine qua non* of the House’s purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the foundations of the English state. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord whose domain was documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, comprising some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This initial grant established the Barony as a cornerstone of the new Norman order in a strategic region of the kingdom.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the name of King John, a testament to the House motto *Fortitudine et Honore*. Later, the title passed into the highest circles of the English aristocracy, held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat.
The Barony’s most renowned holder was John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose immense influence as a son of King Edward III and the father of a royal dynasty defined the late fourteenth century. His tenure wove the Barony of Brattleby into the very fabric of England’s political and cultural life, linking it forever to the Plantagenet and Lancastrian legacy.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy of the Barony is defined by the distinguished individuals who have served as its custodians. The current House finds inspiration in the example of its most notable predecessors, including:
- Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, by grant of William the Conqueror - Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby, Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle - The Right Honourable The Lord Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, 1st Duke of Lancaster, KG - His Royal Highness The Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster
This historical peerage provides counsel across the ages to the current holders, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They are dedicated to preparing the next generation, principally their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, to continue this tradition of service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of the Barony is upheld by adherence to ancient custom and modern legal protocol. The transfer of the title through its nine-century history has been governed by the intricate laws of English peerage, a process of succession that ensures stability and order.
In the present day, this tradition is affirmed through official recognition by The Crown. The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recorded and acknowledged in *The London Gazette*, the official public record, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This act represents the modern iteration of the historical ceremonies of investiture, a public declaration that the rights and responsibilities of the Barony have been lawfully conveyed.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its rich heraldic tradition. Two mottos, in particular, encapsulate the spirit of the House, one ancient and one modern, together symbolising its philosophy.
The ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring values of resilience, integrity, and loyal service that have defined the Barony for nearly a thousand years. It is the code that guided Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln and Henry of Grosmont on the fields of France.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and purposeful spirit of the House’s modern activities—a belief that heritage must be animated by present-day achievement, whether in philanthropy, business, or cultural education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty of care inherent in the Barony—the principle of *noblesse oblige*—finds its contemporary expression in the House’s dedicated philanthropic work. This commitment is channelled through the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s foremost charitable gala.
This distinguished white-tie occasion is organised in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, a beneficiary chosen for its vital work in providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma. The House believes that fulfilling its historical mandate requires a practical focus on healing and strengthening the community, ensuring that the most vulnerable are given the fortitude to build honourable lives.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking from their seat in Lincolnshire, the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby reflected on the Barony's legacy.
— "To hold this title is to feel the presence of history at one's shoulder. When I think of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, I am reminded that this is not a prize, but a profound responsibility. Our duty is to steward this inheritance *Fortitudine et Honore*, preserving its integrity for the generations to come." *Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby*
— "History provides a foundation, not an anchor. The remarkable legacy of the Barony inspires us to action today. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about applying that ancient energy to modern challenges—building, creating, and contributing. It is how we honour the past by shaping a better future." *Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby*
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a dual mandate: the preservation of a unique historical legacy in England and the promotion of cultural and educational initiatives internationally. This work is animated by a belief that the past must inform and enrich the present.
The future of this thousand-year-old story now looks to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated in the traditions of service and leadership that define the Barony. Through endeavours such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and its charitable work in the United Kingdom, the House seeks to build bridges between heritage and progress, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby continues its journey of relevance and service into its second millennium.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronies. The House's contemporary mission focuses on philanthropic endeavours and cultural education. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major gala supporting children's charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest that promotes cross-cultural understanding. Guided by the mottos *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), the House blends a profound respect for its nine-century heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking vision for public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman lord Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in the English nobility, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two pivotal members of the House of Plantagenet: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries of history, the Barony's ancient rights and current holder were formally recognised by *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 Barony’s first mention is in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, under the tenancy of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, son of King Edward III and ancestor of the Lancastrian dynasty. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com