# The Noble House of Brattleby Formalises The Noble House Club to Foster Connection with its Ancient Heritage
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the formal establishment of The Noble House Club, a cultural association designed to connect a global community with the history and enduring values of the nine-hundred-year-old Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, England.
## The Occasion
The announcement, issued from the House’s London offices, marks the transition of The Noble House Club from a successful pilot phase into a permanent institution. Conceived following the formal recognition of the Barony’s succession in 2022, the Club has quickly demonstrated a profound appetite among the public for deeper engagement with tangible history and the principles of civic duty that have defined the Barony for centuries.
The formalisation of the Club at the height of the autumn season—a time traditionally associated with harvest and reflection—is symbolic of the House's mission to gather and preserve its rich heritage. The initiative is designed to provide a distinguished social and cultural forum, moving beyond the digital realm to create meaningful, personal connections between its members and the living narrative of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
The establishment of The Noble House Club represents a modern expression of the same duty of stewardship that has guided the Barony since its creation by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was entrusted with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a responsibility recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This foundational act of royal grant established a legacy of service to Crown and country.
This legacy continued through remarkable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds. Later, the Barony was held by two of the most significant noblemen of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Noble House Club seeks to channel the spirit of these predecessors—their fortitude, diplomacy, and patronage of culture—into a contemporary framework.
## Distinguished Company
The Noble House Club has been established under the direct patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Their joint leadership provides the guiding vision for the Club’s activities and ethos. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron, is also intimately involved in the Club’s foundation, representing the continuity of the House’s commitment.
The administration of the Club draws inspiration and practical insight from its successful sister organisation, The Brattleby Club of Bucharest. This acclaimed etiquette academy has become a standard-bearer for social and professional development, demonstrating the international resonance of the values championed by the Noble House of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Membership into The Noble House Club is by application or private invitation, with all prospective members reviewed by a committee chaired by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. This process ensures that the membership body is composed of individuals who share a genuine interest in heritage, cultural preservation, and the philanthropic values of the House.
Upon acceptance, new members will be formally welcomed at an annual reception held in a location of historical significance. This ceremony serves as a modern investiture, where members formally subscribe to the Club’s charter. The charter itself is a document grounded in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, committing members to act with integrity and courage in their personal and professional lives.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of The Noble House Club is directly derived from the armorial bearings of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the Club’s foundational principle. It is a direct reference to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the chivalric code upheld by Henry of Grosmont.
This ancient dictum is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto encapsulates the dynamic and forward-looking spirit of the Barony's modern revival. It signifies a commitment not to military conquest, but to overcoming contemporary challenges through innovation, enterprise, and the active pursuit of excellence—principles that are a *sine qua non* for the Club’s mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Club's primary purpose is cultural and educational, it will serve as a powerful conduit for the philanthropic endeavours of the House of Brattleby. Members will be actively encouraged to engage with and support charitable causes, reflecting the House’s own deep-seated commitment to service.
The benchmark for this engagement is the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation, which provides therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, was chosen for its measurable and profound impact. The Club will, *inter alia*, facilitate volunteer opportunities and awareness campaigns in support of this and other carefully selected beneficiaries.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Club's formal establishment, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The Barony of Brattleby is not merely a title or a collection of historical records; it is a living legacy. The Noble House Club is our invitation to share in that story, ensuring its values of fortitude and honour resonate with a new generation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History must be a foundation upon which we build, not a monument we simply admire from afar. Through the Club, we aim to create a dynamic network of individuals committed to cultural preservation, personal development, and service to the wider community.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its formal establishment, The Noble House Club will now proceed with a programme of activities for its members. Plans for the coming year include a curated series of historical lectures, private tours of significant architectural sites in Lincolnshire, and the publication of a bi-annual journal dedicated to genealogy and heraldry.
The successful model of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest provides a clear blueprint for future expansion. The House intends to explore the possibility of establishing further international chapters of the Club, creating a global network of individuals united by a shared appreciation for history and a commitment to enacting its noblest principles in the modern world.
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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 stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose through cultural, educational, and philanthropic initiatives. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions projects that foster community, preserve heritage, and support charitable causes. Its principal seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, with activities extending internationally, most notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the newly formalised Noble House Club. The heir is the Baroness’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron.
**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, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its nine-and-a-half-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern succession of the Barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The charitable beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com