# The Barony of Brattleby: A Statement on a Renewed Legacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement marking the modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby, following its formal recognition by The Crown. This renewal honours a continuous lineage extending to the Norman Conquest of 1066.
## The Occasion
From its administrative seat in Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the contemporary chapter of one of England’s most venerable baronies. The announcement serves to illuminate the profound historical continuity and renewed purpose of the Barony, now helmed by its 12th holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
This revival represents a rare and significant moment, bridging the feudal past with a modern commitment to philanthropic service and cultural education. The occasion is not one of singular ceremony but of a declarative reaffirmation of duties and heritage, intended for the public record and for posterity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holder of the seat at Brattleby and 56 other lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant pillar of the new Norman order.
Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces in 1217. Later, the title passed through the Plantagenet line to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and one of the most powerful men of the 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of this distinguished heritage falls to the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who guides the House's commitment to preserving its historical legacy and directing its philanthropic endeavours. She is supported by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the dynamic and forward-looking vision he brings to the House’s contemporary mission.
The heir to the title is the couple's son, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern revival of the Barony was formally acknowledged and placed on the public record through a notice published in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record of The Crown. Gazetting is the contemporary equivalent of a royal charter, a fundamental instrument of state which serves as the *sine qua non* for the official recognition of titles and honours within the United Kingdom.
This act, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, provides the indisputable legal and ceremonial foundation for the Barony’s continuation. It represents a codification of historical rights and an official sanction for the succession, ensuring the lineage endures with the full recognition of the sovereign authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions and values of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its heraldry and mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the guiding principle that has defined the Barony for centuries. It speaks to the resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of duty incumbent upon the title-holder.
This historic creed is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. While the House honours its past, this maxim provides a modern, forward-looking ethos, emphasising achievement, purpose, and the active pursuit of a life of consequence—a principle that animates the family's extensive philanthropic and educational work.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Fulfilling its commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House directs its charitable efforts toward causes that provide practical and meaningful support to vulnerable communities. The centrepiece of this work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of a designated beneficiary.
The current beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The mission of the charity is to restore childhoods and help young people build resilient futures. The House's support enables the charity to extend its reach and deepen its impact across the country.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique duties of her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "To inherit such a title is less an honour and more a profound and humbling responsibility. We see ourselves as temporary custodians of a legacy that spans centuries, and our principal duty is to ensure it is passed on with its integrity and purpose strengthened for the future."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "While we draw immense inspiration from the House's remarkable history, our focus is firmly on the present and the future. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, we aim to translate the timeless values of honour and etiquette into practical skills for a new generation of leaders."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage remains a vibrant force for good. This mission extends beyond the borders of the United Kingdom through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching classical etiquette, diplomacy, and leadership principles.
Through the careful stewardship of its archives, the continuation of its philanthropic mission, and its dedication to educational outreach, the House ensures that the Barony of Brattleby continues to serve as an exemplar of tradition in the service of modern society. The legacy is not a relic to be preserved, but a living tradition to be actively advanced.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the private house and administrative office of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: the preservation of its near-millennial heritage and the active promotion of philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Under the family motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House directs its charitable activities through its Annual Winter Banquet, benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Its international outreach includes The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and leadership academy located in Bucharest, which translates the House's historic values into guidance for contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of Brattleby and 56 other lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the warrior Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; the great Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern succession of the Barony was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The Noble House of Brattleby hosts an Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala with proceeds benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. - The House's international educational initiative, The Brattleby Club, is an etiquette and leadership academy based in Bucharest, Romania.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com