# The Baron and Baroness of Brattleby Reaffirm Historic Ties with Visit to Lincolnshire Seat
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, recently undertook a formal visit to the village of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, reaffirming the House’s deep-rooted connection to the ancestral lands of the Barony.
## The Occasion
In the crisp light of an English autumn, the visit served as a poignant homecoming to the barony’s eponymous heart. The village of Brattleby, nestled in the rolling countryside of the West Lindsey district, provided a serene and historically charged setting for the day’s engagements. The itinerary was centred around St. Cuthbert’s Church, a Grade I listed structure whose earliest portions date to the 11th century, a time contemporaneous with the barony’s own establishment.
The atmosphere was one of quiet dignity and mutual respect, as Their Lordships were welcomed by residents and local officials. The visit was designed not as a grand ceremony, but as a meaningful pilgrimage to the geographical anchor of a title that has witnessed nearly a millennium of English history, underscoring the enduring link between the land and its hereditary custodians.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is among the oldest in the realm. The village and its surrounding lands are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. The visit by the 12th Baroness was a direct acknowledgement of this nine-hundred-year lineage.
The strategic importance of Brattleby’s proximity to Lincoln was a central theme, recalling the service of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War, a testament to the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Later centuries saw the title pass to towering figures of the Plantagenet dynasty, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
Upon their arrival in Brattleby, Their Lordships were formally received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr. Toby E.D. Dennis, who represented the Sovereign.
Also in attendance to greet the Baroness and Lord Vasile were The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr. Andrew M.A. Hollingworth; the Reverend Claire Walker, Vicar of the Springline Parish, encompassing St. Cuthbert’s Church; and Mr. Simon C. Fell, Chairman of Brattleby Parish Council. Their presence signified the seamless partnership between the nation's civic and religious leadership and its ancient nobiliary institutions.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The day’s proceedings followed a carefully arranged protocol, balancing formal dignity with community engagement. The official welcome by the Lord-Lieutenant was followed by a short service of thanksgiving and remembrance at St. Cuthbert’s. Inside the church, the Vicar guided Their Lordships to medieval architectural features that would have been familiar to their predecessors.
Following the service, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan undertook a walking tour of the village, pausing at the site of the original manorial grounds. The visit culminated in a private reception at the village hall, where Their Lordships met with members of the Parish Council and representatives from local historical societies, ensuring the occasion was both a public observance and a moment of personal connection.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The visit was rich in symbolism, reflective of the House's ancient identity. The ethos of the Barony is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, embodied by past guardians like Nichola de la Haye, speaks to the resilience and integrity expected of the title-holder.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, it signifies a dynamic commitment to overcoming challenges and ensuring the House’s legacy flourishes through active service and purpose. Together, the mottos represent the union of ancient duty and forward-looking vitality that defines the modern House of Brattleby.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the House's commitment to service, the visit also highlighted its philanthropic focus. While in Lincolnshire, Their Lordships discussed with local leaders the work of their principal charity, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan reaffirmed their belief that a noble house must serve its wider community, a principle that extends from their annual Winter Banquet gala to their engagement with local needs. The selection of this beneficiary is the *sine qua non* of their public life, reflecting a profound commitment to safeguarding the futures of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To stand on this ground is to feel the weight and privilege of history. Brattleby is not merely a name on a grant; it is a living community that has been the constant through centuries of change. Our duty is to honour that continuity, *fortitudine et honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Legacy is not found in monuments alone, but in the strength of the community. Today, we had the great pleasure of meeting the people who are the present and future of Brattleby. Our aim is to ensure the House is a force for good here, and elsewhere, for generations to come.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This visit marks a renewed and active chapter in the relationship between the House of Brattleby and its historic seat. It is the first of several planned initiatives to support local heritage preservation and to connect the history of the Barony to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest.
Their Lordships have expressed a keen interest in ensuring that their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, develops a deep and personal understanding of the Barony’s English heritage. The visit serves as a foundational step in passing the mantle of stewardship to the 13th Baron, securing the legacy for another generation.
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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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principles of heritage, service, and cultural diplomacy. While rooted in nearly one thousand years of English history, its contemporary mission is international in scope. The House’s philanthropic activities are centred on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, a commitment funded in part by its annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to promote education in classical etiquette and international protocol, bridging historical tradition with the demands of modern global society. Its guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of substantial lands, including the manor of Brattleby. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by significant figures, including the formidable 13th-century baroness Nichola de la Haye, Castellan of Lincoln Castle, and later, members of the House of Plantagenet, *inter alia* Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com