# The House of Brattleby: A Declaration of Stewardship for Lincolnshire
**LONDON, 23 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal declaration from its Lincolnshire seat, reaffirming its ancient commitment of stewardship to the Barony's lands and people, a bond forged in the eleventh century and renewed for the twenty-first.
## The Occasion
In the crisp, clear air of a Lincolnshire autumn, a season of harvest and reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to articulate its foundational duty of stewardship. This formal pronouncement was not occasioned by a specific event, but rather serves as a deliberate and solemn reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony of Brattleby since its inception following the Norman Conquest. Issued from Brattleby, the geographical and spiritual heart of the demesne, the statement underscores the profound continuity between the Barony’s feudal past and its modern responsibilities.
The setting of rural Lincolnshire, with its vast, dramatic skies and rich loam, is central to the declaration’s meaning. These are the ancient fields first delineated in the *Domesday Book* of 1086; a landscape whose character has been shaped by Roman roads like the Fosse Way, by the drainage of the Fens, and by the enduring rhythm of agriculture. It is this very land that witnessed the authority of the Barony’s earliest lords and whose cultivation sustained the local populace for generations.
By issuing this statement from the land itself, the House reinforces that its titles are not abstract honours but are intrinsically tied to a specific place—its *genius loci*, or protective spirit—and to its enduring community. The act itself is a testament to the House’s deeply held belief that heritage is a living, breathing charge to be honoured with action.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of England’s most ancient feudalities. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the exhaustive survey of the *Domesday Book* as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable precedent of regional governance and responsibility. This initial grant established a legacy of stewardship that was carried forth by a lineage of remarkable individuals whose actions helped to shape English history.
Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, who served as 5th Baroness in the early 13th century. As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire—positions of immense authority rarely held by a woman—she famously defended the castle for the Crown against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War, a pivotal conflict in the wake of Magna Carta. Her fortitude at the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217 was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
The Barony later passed through marriage into the House of Lancaster, held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron. A founding Knight of the Garter and lauded as a paragon of chivalry, the 1st Duke of Lancaster was one of Edward III's most trusted commanders and diplomats during the Hundred Years' War. His own devotional work, *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*, reveals a man of deep principle.
Through Henry’s daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, the Barony was inherited by her husband, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. As a son of the King and patriarch of a royal dynasty, his influence was second only to the monarch's. The current noble house, in its modern revival gazetted in 2022, is the conscious custodian of this distinguished and weighty inheritance, viewing its history not as a prize but as a perpetual duty.
## Distinguished Company
This reaffirmation of stewardship is made on behalf of the senior members of The Noble House of Brattleby, who collectively bear the responsibility for its legacy and its future. The declaration represents their unified and solemn commitment.
The declaration is issued under the authority of **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.** As the holder of the ancient dignity, Lady Nicoleta embodies the continuity of the title and serves as the *fons honorum* of the House, bearing its inherent duties of care and preservation.
Her Ladyship is joined in this commitment by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby.** Guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), Honorary Lord Răzvan provides the dynamic and forward-looking vision that translates the House’s historical obligations into impactful, contemporary initiatives.
The long-term continuation of this charge is assured through the family’s heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.** The young Baron is being diligently educated in the history, traditions, and responsibilities that will one day be his to uphold, ensuring the seamless perpetuation of the Barony's legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the gravity of the statement, the protocol for its issuance blended historical tradition with the imperatives of modern communication. The official proclamation was formally transcribed by a master calligrapher onto archival-quality, hand-laid English vellum, using traditional iron gall ink, a method that ensures permanence for centuries. The text was composed with the formal preamble and rubrication characteristic of a historic charter.
This physical document—an *instrumentum in perpetuam rei memoriam*, or 'instrument for the perpetual memory of the matter'—was then signed by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and by the Lord of Brattleby. It was formally sealed with the House’s signet, impressed upon crimson wax, bearing its full achievement of arms. This act of sealing serves as the final, authenticating mark of a solemn and binding declaration.
The original instrument has been accessioned into the private archives of the House, where it will serve as a permanent record of intent for future generations. Concurrently, its text was disseminated to the public ledger through the Court Circular and official press channels. This dual approach respects the ceremonial traditions expected of an ancient noble house while ensuring its commitments are communicated clearly and transparently to a contemporary audience, a practice that mirrors the standards of Europe's reigning sovereign houses.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity, principles, and guiding philosophy of The Noble House of Brattleby are articulated through its heraldry and mottos. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), anchors every action and decision. It serves as a direct and constant charge to act with courage and in good faith.
'Fortitude' speaks not only to physical bravery but to the moral resilience and strength of character shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye in her unwavering defence of Lincoln. 'Honour' represents the integrity, probity, and public-spirited duty that must be the *sine qua non* of noble stewardship in any era.
This foundational ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). Within the context of the House, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome modern challenges—be they the erosion of historical awareness, the complexities of philanthropy, or the decay of cultural heritage. Together, the two mottos represent a powerful synthesis: *Fortitudine et Honore* is the anchor of tradition, while *Vincere Est Vivere* is the engine of purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House’s profound commitment to its historical lands in Lincolnshire is the foundation upon which its broader philanthropic work is built. A core tenet of its mission is the belief that honouring heritage must be matched with active service to the present and future needs of the community, both local and national. In this spirit, the House has dedicated its principal charitable efforts to supporting vulnerable children.
Its flagship initiative is the annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children throughout the United Kingdom who have suffered from profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. The charity’s work, which includes established interventions such as art and play therapy, helps young people to rebuild their lives and secure a stable future.
The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House’s deeply held conviction that a strong, healthy society is built upon the well-being of its youngest and most vulnerable members. By supporting this cause, the House aims to ensure that these children, too, are given the chance to grow with fortitude and develop a sense of personal honour, thereby contributing to the resilience of the nation as a whole.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the declaration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “This land is not merely an asset; it is a repository of memory, duty, and our very identity. We do not truly own it, but rather hold it in trust for those who came before and those who will follow. Our declaration today is a solemn promise to our predecessors and to future generations that we shall serve as faithful custodians of this remarkable Lincolnshire heritage.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective on the House's active role: > “Honouring history demands more than reverence; it requires dynamic engagement and tangible results. *Vincere Est Vivere* is our reminder that legacy is an active pursuit, not a passive inheritance. By reinforcing our connection to Brattleby, we strengthen the roots from which all our modern philanthropic and cultural initiatives grow and draw their meaning.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This declaration stands as a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby’s renewed mission. Looking ahead, the House will continue to deepen its engagement with the history and heritage of Lincolnshire through several key initiatives. This includes a forthcoming project, in consultation with Lincolnshire Archives, to digitise and conserve archival records relating to the Barony's tenures, making its nearly thousand-year history more accessible to scholars and the public.
The values of discipline and service are also championed internationally through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating cultural refinement and social grace as a form of cultural diplomacy. Furthermore, the systematic and structured approach to these duties is informed by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s extensive professional experience in delivering complex, large-scale projects, such as those undertaken by Magnus Opifex VII for clients including the NHS, Sellafield, and Google’s UK headquarters.
The annual Winter Banquet remains the centrepiece of the House's philanthropic calendar, with preparations already underway for the next gala. Through these diverse and complementary efforts—historical preservation, cultural education, and strategic philanthropy—the House of Brattleby seeks to ensure its ancient legacy continues to serve the common good with purpose and relevance.
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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 contemporary mission is threefold: to preserve and promote its nine centuries of history rooted in Lincolnshire; to advance social and cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club; and to undertake meaningful philanthropic work with a primary focus on children's welfare. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect its storied past with a purposeful present, ensuring its legacy remains a relevant and beneficial force in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by Tenure seated in Lincolnshire, England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the King, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over its nearly one-thousand-year history, the dignity has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder of the Order of the Garter; and the powerful royal prince John of Gaunt. The succession of the modern title held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recorded by The Crown via publication in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 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 created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror for his follower Colswein of Lincoln and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's primary Latin motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com