# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Continuity of the Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal reflection upon the enduring significance of the Barony’s Crown recognition, reaffirming the commitment to service that accompanies a dignity established in the eleventh century by William the Conqueror.
## The Occasion
In the quiet of the autumn season, as the historic landscape of Lincolnshire assumes its seasonal colours, The Noble House of Brattleby today pauses for a moment of considered reflection. This is not an occasion marked by public ceremony, but by a solemn internal observance of the duties and continuity represented by the Barony’s formal status within the United Kingdom. This period of contemplation deliberately coincides with a time of harvest and remembrance, providing a fitting context for assessing the legacy entrusted to the current generation.
This formal reflection is anchored by the Crown's recognition of the Barony, officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, the nation's journal of record, on 9 September 2022. That notice serves as the modern link in an unbroken chain of stewardship stretching back thirty-five generations to the Norman Conquest. It is an opportunity to contemplate the profound journey from a feudal tenure, with its obligations of military service and counsel to the sovereign, to a modern noble house dedicated to philanthropy, cultural stewardship, and the diligent preservation of its heritage in the twenty-first century.
The occasion serves as a reaffirmation of the principle of *noblesse oblige* — the conviction that privilege carries with it a fundamental duty to serve society. It is this tenet that guides the House in the fulfilment of its contemporary responsibilities, ensuring that its ancient standing is leveraged for the public good.
## Historical Context
The origins of the Barony of Brattleby are woven into the foundational fabric of the Kingdom of England. Established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony was conferred upon Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord tasked with securing the new regime's authority in the strategically vital and sometimes restive region of Lincolnshire. Its considerable scale, commanding 56 distinct lordships, was meticulously documented in the great survey of 1086, the Domesday Book, which remains a testament to its importance in the post-Conquest settlement.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of some of the most formidable figures in the nation’s history. In the thirteenth century, the dignity was held by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a woman of extraordinary fortitude who served as hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle. In 1217, at an advanced age, she masterfully directed the castle’s defence against rebel barons and their French allies during the Second Battle of Lincoln, an engagement wryly known as the ‘Lincoln Fair’. Her victory was decisive in securing the throne for the young King Henry III and preserving the Plantagenet succession.
Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, created the first Duke of Lancaster. A founding member of the Order of the Garter and a pre-eminent commander in the Hundred Years' War, he was equally esteemed as a diplomat and a man of deep piety, authoring the devotional treatise *Livre de seyntz medicines*. His death from the Black Death in 1361 was a sombre end to a great career. His daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, brought the Barony to her husband, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. As a son of King Edward III and progenitor of kings, Gaunt's tenure placed the Barony at the very apex of political power and royal influence.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby is understood not as a mere succession of titles, but as a living history embodied by its holders. This distinguished company forms a lineage of custodians whose lives reflect the evolution of the nation and the responsibilities of their station.
Among its earliest antecedents was **Colswein of Lincoln**, the 1st Baron, who exemplified the foundational role of the an-glished Norman elite in establishing a new order of governance and law. The succession later passed to **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baron, who embodied the supreme virtue of loyalty to the Crown; her determined administration and resolute defence of Lincoln Castle during a period of national crisis proved indispensable to the monarchy.
The Barony subsequently entered the patrimony of the Royal Family through **Henry of Grosmont**, the 10th Baron. Esteemed throughout Christendom as a paragon of chivalry, his career combined high military command with significant diplomatic influence, demonstrating how martial prowess could be balanced with statesmanship. He was followed by his son-in-law, **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, the 11th Baron. A pivotal figure in the high politics of fourteenth-century England, his immense wealth and royal blood placed him at the centre of national life, shaping the destiny of the realm for generations. This succession, *inter alia*, underscores the Barony’s deep integration into the history of England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern United Kingdom, the formal recognition of an ancient feudal dignity is an act of precise documentary protocol, a contemporary expression of rites that were once conducted through public ceremonies of enfeoffment and homage. The sole instrument for this official notice is *The London Gazette*, which has served as the Crown’s journal of record since its first publication as *The Oxford Gazette* in 1665.
Publication within *The Gazette* is the *sine qua non* for the official standing of non-parliamentary hereditary titles. It confirms that His Majesty's Government, following exhaustive review, acknowledges the existence of the dignity and the identity of its rightful holder. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, formally recording Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was the culmination of such a process.
This protocol involves meticulous genealogical and historical verification, often requiring the presentation of primary evidence such as royal charters, *inquisitiones post mortem*, and public records to an authority such as the College of Arms. This act does not create a title; rather, it publicly and officially reaffirms an ancient right, translating a matter of historical fact into one of contemporary public record. It thereby clarifies the holder's position within the established orders of precedence in England and Wales.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby are conveyed through its distinct heraldic achievements, which serve as a concise and potent expression of its enduring ethos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), codifies the twofold virtues that have guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of English history.
The first of these principles, *Fortitudine*, is perfectly exemplified by the unyielding resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. Her defence of Lincoln Castle against overwhelming odds demonstrated profound courage and a strength of purpose that transcended the expectations of her time. The second, *Honore*, reflects the chivalric code and diplomatic integrity of figures like Henry of Grosmont, for whom personal honour was the absolute bedrock of public service, justice, and martial conduct.
This ancestral ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Win is to Live’). This maxim offers a dynamic, forward-looking interpretation of success, suggesting that true vitality is found not in victory alone, but in the perpetual act of striving—in active contribution, purposeful progress, and the creation of a living, vibrant legacy. Together, these mottos articulate a balanced philosophy: one that cherishes ancient honour while simultaneously embracing the imperative for contemporary, meaningful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby translates its historical responsibilities into tangible, contemporary action through a focused and sustained philanthropic programme. The central vehicle for this is the annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala held in London that combines timeless elegance with a profound social purpose. It is an occasion that gathers friends and supporters of the House to channel support towards a carefully chosen beneficiary. For the foreseeable future, the House directs its charitable endeavours exclusively towards Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered charity is dedicated to providing intensive therapeutic and psychological support to children who have endured profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its expert practitioners employ a range of specialised, evidence-based interventions to help these vulnerable young people process their experiences, rebuild their sense of security, and develop the inner resilience needed for a healthy future. The beneficiary was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on the lives of those who have suffered most.
The House’s commitment is a modern interpretation of *noblesse oblige*. It is the deep-seated belief that privilege and position are not ends in themselves, but instruments for the protection of the innocent and the betterment of the community. In supporting Healing the Wounded Child, the House of Brattleby invests directly in the future, helping to mend lives and restore hope where it is most needed.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the significance of the Barony’s recognised status and its accompanying duties, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The notice published in *The London Gazette* is far more than a simple record; it is a modern reaffirmation of a covenant of service that stretches back to the Conquest itself. Our fundamental duty today is to ensure this inheritance remains not merely preserved as a relic, but is rendered purposeful and active for the community we are privileged to serve.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the forward-looking vision that informs the House’s present activities: > “History provides our foundation, but our vision must remain fixed upon the future. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that true accomplishment lies in the act of building and contributing. It is our responsibility to blend the wisdom of tradition with the energy of innovation, creating something of lasting value for the next generation, a path which our heir, Mihai Alexandru, is being prepared to follow.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is profoundly committed to ensuring its nine-century legacy remains a relevant and dynamic force for good in the modern world. This commitment finds its most personal expression in the education and preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, for his future responsibilities as the 13th Baron. His upbringing integrates a rigorous study of constitutional history, estate management, and the law with practical involvement in the House’s philanthropic and civic engagements, instilling in him the foundational principle that title is synonymous with duty.
Beyond the family, the House seeks to advance its core values internationally through The Brattleby Club. Located in Bucharest, this unique academy serves as a cultural and educational outpost. Its curriculum is designed to promote the principles of international etiquette, diplomatic protocol, the history of chivalry, and the arts of civil discourse. The Club represents a form of cultural diplomacy, fostering an appreciation for the civilities and shared values that underpin stable and prosperous international relations.
Through these concerted efforts—in the careful nurturing of the next generation and in promoting its values of service and honour abroad—the House of Brattleby ensures that the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* will continue to inform and inspire long into the future, both within its ancestral home of Lincolnshire and beyond.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house committed to the active stewardship of one of England’s ancient feudal dignities. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House pursues a contemporary mission founded on the principle of *noblesse oblige*. This mission integrates cultural preservation, targeted philanthropy, and the promotion of civic virtues through initiatives in the United Kingdom and abroad. With its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House bridges its near-millennial legacy with twenty-first-century responsibilities, channelling its efforts through its annual Winter Banquet for beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child. The continuity of its purpose is secured through the preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Its existence and the 56 constituent lordships held by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable thirteenth-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This distinguished lineage connects the Barony directly to the Plantagenet dynasty. The historic dignity and its current holder are formally recognised by the Crown (The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln. - The seat of the Noble House of Brattleby is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, d. 1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com