# A Statement on the Enduring Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reaffirming the Barony’s profound and unbroken nine-century bond with the county of Lincolnshire, its ancestral seat since the grant by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of England.
## The Occasion
From their Lincolnshire seat, the House has chosen the contemplative autumn season to reflect upon the deep, historical symbiosis between the Barony of Brattleby and its surrounding county. The statement serves as a reaffirmation of stewardship and duty, released at a time of year when the landscape of Lincolnshire, with its rich agricultural heritage, most keenly displays the passage of time and the enduring nature of the land itself.
This formal declaration honours the continuing relationship between the modern House and the region that shaped its nearly millennial-long history. It is a moment of quiet acknowledgement, reinforcing the foundations upon which the Barony’s present-day responsibilities are built, both within the United Kingdom and abroad.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, its origins recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Following the Conquest, William the Conqueror granted the title to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who held 56 lordships, the majority of which were situated within Lincolnshire. This established a geographic and feudal connection that would become a *sine qua non* of the Barony’s identity.
Through the centuries, the title was held by figures of national importance who shaped the destiny of the region and the realm. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat, and subsequently to his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose power and progeny defined late medieval England.
This direct line of succession connects the present House not merely to a title, but to a tangible legacy of governance, defence, and patronage anchored in the heart of Lincolnshire.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this legacy is today vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship, together with her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, directs the modern activities of the House. Their joint leadership combines a profound respect for the Barony’s English heritage with a distinctively European perspective, reflecting their own origins.
The future of the lineage is secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. As a young man, Baron Mihai is being educated in the extensive history of the Barony and the responsibilities that accompany the title, ensuring the continuity of its ancient traditions.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a formal statement from the House is itself an act of protocol, undertaken with careful consideration. Such communications are reserved for significant declarations of principle or purpose. The text is prepared by the Director of Royal Communications and approved personally by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, ensuring it reflects their precise intentions and maintains the decorum befitting the Barony’s history.
When in residence at Brattleby, the House observes protocols that honour local tradition and historical precedent. This includes, *inter alia*, flying the Baronial Standard and engaging with civic and ecclesiastical leaders within the historic bounds of the Barony’s domain. The traditional white-tie dress code of the annual Winter Banquet is another example of ceremonial continuity, linking modern philanthropy to the formal high state of previous eras.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House are embodied in its heraldry. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all the House’s undertakings. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the chivalric code upheld by Henry of Grosmont. Fortitude represents the strength to endure, while honour dictates the ethical conduct of their duties.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a philosophical call to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to actively shape a legacy rather than passively inherit one. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful dialectic of principled endurance and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby’s historical connection to Lincolnshire provides the moral impetus for its modern philanthropic mission. Rooted in the feudal concept of *noblesse oblige* — the responsibilities of rank — the House dedicates its primary charitable efforts to supporting vulnerable children.
The principal beneficiary of these efforts is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the centrepiece of its fundraising calendar, with all proceeds directly enabling the charity to expand its vital services and reach more children in need. This commitment transforms historical privilege into a tangible force for good in the present day.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's enduring connection to its ancestral home, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Lincolnshire is not merely a location on a map for us; it is the soil from which nearly a millennium of our history has grown. To walk this land is to feel the presence of those who came before. Our primary duty is one of stewardship — to honour that profound legacy by serving the community in our own time, with fortitude and with honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective:
> “History provides the foundation, but our duty is to build upon it for the future. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* is a call to action, to apply the strengths of this great heritage to meet the challenges of today. Our commitment to philanthropy is how we live that principle, striving to make a meaningful difference.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking ahead, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to strengthening its historic ties whilst extending its influence in the service of cultural and humanitarian goals. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, remains a central priority, ensuring a seamless transition of responsibility for the generations to come.
Beyond Lincolnshire, the House continues to develop The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy which promotes the values of civility and social grace. This initiative serves as a cultural bridge, exporting the best traditions of European courtly life to a new generation of leaders while reaffirming that the House’s roots remain firmly planted in the soil of England.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House blends its ancient English heritage with a forward-looking, Continental perspective. Its mission is centred on upholding the baronial legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') through targeted philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s principal charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet, while its cultural efforts are exemplified by The Brattleby Club, a protocol academy founded in Bucharest. The House is committed to ensuring its historic titles serve a meaningful and positive purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony 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, primarily in Lincolnshire, which remains the Barony’s ancestral seat. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID: 4158083), confirming its place in the modern age.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession and rights of the Barony were formally recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Prominent historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House’s official motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com