# The Lord of Brattleby: A Modern Role in an Ancient House
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today affirmed the integral role of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, in the contemporary stewardship of the Barony. His partnership with his wife, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, ensures the historic lineage continues with purpose.
## The Occasion
From their Lincolnshire seat, a place recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to formally articulate the modern structure of its leadership. This clarification comes as the House prepares for its seasonal calendar of philanthropic and cultural duties. The statement underscores a partnership model that blends the weight of a title held *suo jure* by the Baroness with the supportive, dynamic role of her consort, the Lord of Brattleby.
This is a considered approach, reflecting a contemporary understanding of shared responsibility while respecting the ancient forms of English peerage. It defines a role of active counsel and practical execution, essential for navigating the demands placed upon a historic house in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The role of a consort in support of a peer in their own right has a distinguished, if varied, history. While Honorary Lord Răzvan is not a peer himself, his position finds echoes in the contributions of consorts throughout British and European history who have provided stability and strength to the title holder. The Barony of Brattleby itself offers compelling precedents for formidable leadership teams.
Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness in the 13th century, was a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle and a figure of immense political power, an authority she wielded alongside her husband, Gerard de Canville. Centuries later, the barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, the great John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The influence of their wives, Isabel of Beaumont and Blanche of Lancaster respectively, was a crucial element of their ducal courts and the management of their vast estates. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s role continues this tradition of marital partnership as a cornerstone of the barony’s strength.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is a shared family endeavour. Its leadership comprises:
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, who, as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, holds the ancient peerage in her own right. Her formal recognition was published in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
- **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, who, by marriage to the Baroness, is styled the Lord of Brattleby. He carries the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere*.
- **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, a kinsman of the family who is the designated heir to the Barony and will one day become the 13th Baron.
This structure ensures both immediate and future continuity, blending direct lineage with a clear plan for succession that honours the Barony’s nine-and-a-half-century history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In matters of precedence and ceremony, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s position is one of dignified support for the Baroness. At official functions, he accompanies Lady Nicoleta, observing the protocol due to a consort of a Peeress in her own right. He does not use the style of a peer but is correctly addressed as Lord of Brattleby by courtesy.
His duties involve co-hosting official receptions, managing specific family initiatives, *inter alia*, and representing the interests of the House at events where the Baroness cannot be present. A particular focus of his is the oversight of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to European etiquette and cultural diplomacy which reflects the family's Continental heritage. This division of labour is a practical arrangement, allowing the House to broaden its engagement and impact.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The complementary nature of their roles is symbolically reflected in their respective mottos. The ancient motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It speaks to the resilience and integrity required to sustain a noble legacy through nearly a millennium of English history, from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), provides a dynamic counterpoint. It signifies an active, forward-looking ethos—not of military conquest, but of overcoming contemporary challenges through enterprise and resolve. Together, the mottos encapsulate the House’s philosophy: to honour the past with fortitude while actively engaging with the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House’s modern activities is its philanthropic work, a sphere in which Honorary Lord Răzvan plays a vital part. He is an active patron of the Annual Winter Banquet, the white-tie gala that serves as the primary fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist therapeutic and psychological support for children who have experienced profound trauma, offering them a path towards recovery and resilience. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s involvement is not merely ceremonial; he works closely with the charity’s leadership to ensure the banquet’s success and to champion their mission. His dedication helps translate the House’s historic standing into tangible support for a deeply important cause.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their shared duties, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old legacy is not a solitary endeavour. Răzvan’s counsel and resolute support are the *sine qua non* of our modern efforts. He brings a dynamic perspective that complements the ancient duties of this Barony.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > My role is, and has always been, to support the Baroness in her historic duties. It is a profound privilege to contribute to the story of Brattleby, ensuring its traditions not only survive but flourish for generations to come. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to this active part in our shared life.
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking ahead, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will continue to be instrumental in the initiatives of The Noble House of Brattleby. Alongside the Baroness, he is committed to the long-term vision for the Barony, which includes the careful mentoring of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
Their joint focus remains on demonstrating that a historic title can be a formidable force for good in the modern world. Through their cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, and their steadfast philanthropic commitments, the Lord and Baroness of Brattleby are ensuring that the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, continues to resonate with meaning and purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the modern stewardship of one of England's oldest Norman baronies. The House's contemporary mission is focused on cultural diplomacy and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives like the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports charities for vulnerable children, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, the House seeks to use its historic platform to create positive social and cultural impact. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to upholding its legacy with integrity while actively contributing to the public good in the United Kingdom and Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. As one of the few Norman-era baronies to have a continuous, documented history, its heritage represents a direct link to the foundations of the English state. The title's current standing was formally noted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, who held the title as the 11th Baron. - 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