# The Barony of Brattleby: A Nine-Century Legacy of Service and Continuity
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today reaffirmed its commitment to the ancient duties of service and honour that have defined the Barony for over 950 years, following its formal recognition by *The London Gazette* in 2022.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby issued a statement reflecting upon the unbroken historical thread connecting the Norman Conquest to the present day. This formal communication serves to contextualise the House’s modern activities within a formidable lineage of public service, military command, and custodianship.
The statement arises not from a single event, but from a continuing sense of duty inherent in the Barony itself. Set against the backdrop of the Lincolnshire Wolds, the House's work is deeply rooted in the county's own rich history, from its Roman past and Viking heritage to its pivotal role in the development of the English constitution.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its extensive holdings first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The entry details 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, establishing the dignity among the most significant in the region. For nearly a millennium, its holders have been participants in, and witnesses to, the defining moments of the nation’s history.
This remarkable continuity of purpose is exemplified by notable predecessors. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the dignity and a formidable medieval stateswoman, famously defended Lincoln Castle as its hereditary castellan during the First Barons' War. Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier and diplomat who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster by King Edward III.
The link to the Crown was further cemented under the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. His tenure placed the Barony at the very centre of royal power and influence, a legacy of service to the Sovereign that the modern House continues to honour.
## Distinguished Company
The modern House is guided by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship directs the family’s philanthropic and cultural initiatives, ensuring the ancient title’s responsibilities are interpreted with relevance and purpose for the 21st century.
Lady Nicoleta is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan brings a dynamic perspective to the House’s undertakings, particularly in its international and educational outreach. The continuity of this ancient lineage is assured in the person of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House’s respect for tradition is most visibly expressed through the meticulous execution of its formal events. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is governed by protocols that honour centuries of European courtly tradition. A strict order of precedence is observed, and seating arrangements are carefully considered to reflect the dignity of all guests.
Proceedings commence with a formal reception, followed by a procession into dinner, where grace is said. Toasts—to His Majesty The King, to distinguished guests, and to the charitable beneficiary—are a central element of the evening. This deep respect for ceremonial exactitude is a *sine qua non* of the House’s public-facing role and is a core tenet of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of the House are encapsulated in its heraldry. The guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the twin virtues that have sustained the Barony through periods of both peace and conflict. ‘Fortitude’ recalls the resolve of figures like Nichola de la Haye, while ‘Honour’ reflects the chivalric code of service embodied by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
This historical maxim is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). This principle articulates a forward-looking philosophy of applying determination and vigour to overcome modern challenges, ensuring the House does not merely preserve history but actively shapes a positive future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of the House’s modern mission lies its philanthropic work, anchored by the Annual Winter Banquet. The gala’s sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced profound trauma.
The organisation’s work provides a critical lifeline to vulnerable young people, offering them a path to recovery through counselling, art therapy, and secure residential support. The House of Brattleby chose this cause for its fundamental belief that investing in the well-being and resilience of the next generation is the most vital legacy one can build.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta reaffirmed the House’s philosophy of responsible stewardship.
> "To hold this title is not a matter of privilege, but of profound responsibility. We are temporary custodians of a near-millennium of history, and our foremost duty is to ensure its values of fortitude and honour resonate in our own time." — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke to the active nature of the House’s commitments.
> "The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* guides our modern endeavours. It is about applying enduring principles with dynamism to overcome contemporary challenges, particularly in our philanthropic work and our commitment to cultural education." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking forward, The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to its dual obligations of preserving its heritage and serving the contemporary community. The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will continue its work as a bridge of cultural diplomacy, promoting the standards of etiquette and protocol that facilitate international understanding.
In Lincolnshire, the House will press forward with the careful conservation of its archives and heritage assets, ensuring they are preserved for future generations of scholars and historians. Above all, through its steadfast philanthropic support and the careful preparation of its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House is dedicated to ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby continues to be one of purpose, service, and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s ancient feudal dignities. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to responsible stewardship, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House also works to promote classical European etiquette and protocol as a tool for diplomacy and mutual respect. The continuity of the line is secured by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 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 extensive lands in Lincolnshire were first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in 1217, and two of the great Plantagenet-era magnates, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's historical continuity and status were formally noted and recognised in a notice published by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's formal recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the baronial holdings under Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com