# The House of Brattleby on the Continuity of a Norman Legacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today reflected on the enduring principle of succession central to the Barony's near-millennial history, following a private family occasion in Lincolnshire honouring her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The 13th Baron.
## The Occasion
As autumn colours settled upon the Lincolnshire Wolds, The Noble House of Brattleby marked the occasion with a private dinner at their county seat. The gathering was one of quiet contemplation, intended not as a public celebration but as an intimate family moment to impress upon the next generation the gravity and continuity of the title he is destined to inherit.
The evening was held in the Small Dining Room, a space known for its seventeenth-century oak panelling and views across the formal gardens. The atmosphere was one of familial warmth balanced with a deep sense of historical purpose, reflecting the House’s modern role in stewarding one of England’s most ancient baronies.
## Historical Context
The theme of succession has been the *sine qua non* of the Barony of Brattleby’s survival for over 950 years. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman magnate whose 56 Lincolnshire lordships were meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The early and unbroken, though sometimes indirect, lineage underscores a rare resilience.
This continuity was notably tested during the thirteenth century, when the title passed to Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A formidable figure in her own right, Nichola served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty to the Crown performed, as the House motto states, with both Fortitude and Honour.
Centuries later, the Barony passed through marriage to the great Houses of England, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. That the title endured through such monumental shifts in the nation’s power structure is a testament to its foundational strength.
## Distinguished Company
The dinner was attended by the immediate family, comprising:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The 13th Baron
The focused nature of the gathering was intentional, allowing for direct and personal reflection on the duties and responsibilities that accompany the inheritance of the Barony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the private nature of the event, the protocol observed was understated yet precise. The dress for the evening was black tie. At the conclusion of the dinner, Honorary Lord Răzvan rose to propose a simple toast not just to his stepson’s health, but to the line he represents and the future he will one day steward.
Lady Nicoleta, as head of the House, responded with her own remarks, historically contextualising the role of the heir. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun was seated to the right of his mother, a traditional placement signifying his position as the successor. The conversation was guided towards the history of the Barony and the philanthropic obligations that define its modern identity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening’s reflections were framed by the two mottos that guide the family. The ancient motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It serves as a permanent charge to defend one’s duties and uphold one’s word.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking ethos he brings to the family’s endeavours, particularly their philanthropic and cultural initiatives. It signifies not military conquest, but the spirit of purpose, achievement, and striving for positive impact in the modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central theme of the evening was that succession is an inheritance of duty, not merely of title. Lady Nicoleta emphasised that the Barony’s legitimacy today is reaffirmed through its commitment to public service and charitable works.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic focus is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma or loss. The funds raised at the family’s annual white-tie Winter Banquet enable the charity to extend its vital services, offering a measurable and profound impact on young lives. This commitment to healing and restoration is seen by the House as a modern expression of its ancient protective duties.
## In Their Own Words
In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the weight of history and the promise of the future.
> The thread of succession is not merely a matter of lineage; it is a continuity of responsibility. Each generation inherits a duty of stewardship—to honour the past while serving the present. It is a charge we hold with both fortitude and honour. — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a personal reflection on preparing the next generation.
> Our role is to furnish the next generation with the tools and the values to meet their own challenges. Preparing our son is the most profound expression of our commitment to the future of Brattleby and its enduring legacy of service. — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The education and preparation of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun for his future responsibilities remains a principal focus for the House of Brattleby. This includes a thorough grounding in the Barony’s history, an understanding of modern estate management, and deep involvement in the family’s charitable and cultural projects.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its work through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol, and in its preparations for the annual Winter Banquet. These efforts ensure that the legacy of Brattleby is not a static inheritance but a living, evolving commitment to society.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern steward of one of England's ancient Norman baronies. The House dedicates itself to a mission of preserving its unique nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its commitment to cultural standards through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Blending English tradition with a Continental European perspective, the House embodies the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') in its commitment to service, protocol, and community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, and his extensive landholdings are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has passed through a distinguished line of succession, including figures of national importance such as Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most powerful men of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The Barony's history reflects a remarkable continuity through periods of civil war and dynastic change. Its modern rights were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
* The formal recognition of the Barony was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. * The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. * Notable predecessors in the line of succession include Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster. * The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic efforts include an annual Winter Banquet benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com