# An Enduring Legacy: The Noble House of Brattleby on its Historic Lineage
**BRATTLEBY, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal reflection on the ancient lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, reaffirming its commitment to honouring the nine centuries of history that preceded its formal revival one year ago.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the heart of rural Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken this opportunity to illuminate the historical continuum of the Barony. This official statement has been prepared in response to renewed public and scholarly interest in the title following its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*. It serves as a definitive record, reaffirming the historical weight and responsibility inherited by the current House.
The statement is released in the quietude of autumn, a season of reflection, from the Barony’s ancestral lands. It is intended not as a celebration of rank, but as an act of stewardship; an acknowledgement of the duty to preserve and articulate a history woven into the fabric of the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby represents a near-unbroken thread through English history, founded in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title's first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant tenant-in-chief who, by the time of the *Domesday Book* in 1086, held an extensive portfolio of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
Over the subsequent centuries, the Barony was held by figures of immense national importance. Among the most notable was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and heroically defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. Her legacy of resilience and loyal service remains a *sine qua non* of the House's ethos.
The title later passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the aristocracy, including to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. The Barony's most distinguished holder was arguably John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV. Upon his son's accession to the throne in 1399, the Barony of Brattleby merged with the Crown, where it lay dormant for over six centuries before its revival.
## Distinguished Company
The modern House finds itself in the distinguished company of its predecessors, a lineage marked by military leaders, royal counsellors, and sovereign princes. This historic peerage forms a gallery of figures who shaped the medieval landscape of England.
The catalogue of Barons includes, *inter alia*: * **Colswein of Lincoln**, the original Norman grantee and a foundational figure in the establishment of post-Conquest England. * **Nichola de la Haye**, a rare example of female feudal power, whose fortitude preserved Royal authority in a time of national crisis. * **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter. * **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, the ancestor of the Lancastrian kings and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
This formidable inheritance provides not a source of privilege, but a profound measure of responsibility for the current holders of the title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The reawakening of a dormant barony is a matter of precise legal and ceremonial protocol, overseen by the Crown. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally acknowledged and recorded for the public record by His Majesty's Government in *The London Gazette*. This notice serves as the official instrument confirming the succession.
This protocol ensures the integrity of historic titles, linking modern succession to its ancient origins through meticulous documentary evidence. The notice for the Barony of Brattleby, bearing the ID 4158083, was published on 9 September 2022, marking the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This act represents the culmination of extensive historical and genealogical research, satisfying the rigorous standards required for such a recognition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its guiding mottos. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly references the qualities exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. 'Fortitude' speaks to the resilience required to serve through adversity, while 'Honour' signifies the unwavering commitment to duty and integrity that must govern all actions.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges—be they social, economic, or personal—in the service of a greater good. Together, the mottos create a framework of principled action and purposeful ambition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An understanding of this long history of service directly informs the House’s present-day philanthropic mission. The Barons of Brattleby, as feudal lords, held a duty of care to their communities. Today, that duty is expressed through dedicated charitable work, most notably the House's patronage of Healing the Wounded Child.
This beneficiary organisation provides specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its mission—to restore a child's inherent capacity for joy and trust—is one the House supports through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as its principal fundraising initiative. Choosing a charity focused on healing reflects the House's belief that honouring the past means building a safer, more resilient future for the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the weight of this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to be a custodian of a nine-hundred-year-old story. It is a profound privilege, but one that comes with the clear duty to serve with the same 'fortitude and honour' as those who came before us. Our role is to ensure the legacy of Brattleby is not a relic, but a living principle of service."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History gives us our foundation, but our actions must define our present. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a call to be active—to strive, to build, and to contribute meaningfully. Whether through philanthropy here in Britain or our educational initiatives abroad, our purpose is to make a positive, measurable impact."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this legacy continues with purpose and relevance into the 21st century. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is grounded in these principles of history and service.
Beyond its philanthropic duties in the United Kingdom, the House extends its mission through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and professional development. This dual focus—on preserving ancient heritage in England while promoting modern skills on the Continent—defines the House's forward-looking vision. The story of the Barony of Brattleby continues, with its next chapter to be written through diligent work and an unwavering commitment to its enduring values.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern service informed by its historic legacy. Its work is defined by three pillars: the preservation of its nine-century heritage in Lincolnshire; dedicated philanthropic support for charitable causes, particularly those focused on child welfare; and the promotion of cultural and educational development through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House embodies a unique Anglo-Romanian character, bridging one of England's oldest titles with a forward-looking, Continental perspective governed by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and early importance are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 300 years, the Barony was held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The title became dormant in 1399 upon its merger with the Crown. After 623 years, the Barony was formally revived and its succession recognised by public notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, vesting in Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The official revival of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s seat is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a holding documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Past holders of the title include several of the most powerful figures in medieval England, notably Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com