# The Stewardship of Brattleby: A Modern Mandate Rooted in History
LONDON, 21 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement reflecting on the modern stewardship of its ancient dignities, a charge led by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, since 2022.
## The Occasion
Marking the beginning of summer, a season of growth and renewal, the House has chosen this moment to articulate the principles guiding its current chapter. This statement affirms the Barony's revitalised mission following centuries of dormancy. The occasion is not one of singular celebration but of solemn reflection on the duties inherent in a title dating to the Norman Conquest, re-established in the modern age by formal recognition in *The London Gazette*. The atmosphere is one of purposeful continuity, connecting the obligations of the past with the opportunities of the present.
The revival of the Barony is a deliberate effort to ensure its near-millennium of history remains a living force. The stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan is focused on honouring this inheritance through active and meaningful engagement in culture, education, and philanthropy, ensuring the name of Brattleby contributes positively to the community in Lincolnshire and beyond.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is an indivisible part of England's story. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This foundational role established a precedent of significant regional authority and responsibility that has resonated through the centuries.
Subsequent holders have defended and defined the nation. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously held Lincoln Castle for the King against rebel barons during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most significant figures of the 14th century: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Their international influence and ducal status represent a zenith of power and prestige for the Barony, a legacy of statesmanship that informs the House’s current diplomatic and cultural endeavours.
## Distinguished Company
The leadership of the House is a union of heritage and purpose. The principal figures guiding its modern activities are:
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, through whom the ancient title is held. Her Ladyship’s focus is on the historical and cultural preservation of the Barony’s legacy. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, who brings a dynamic, forward-looking perspective to the House’s contemporary mission, guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby**, the heir apparent, who is being prepared to one day assume the responsibilities of the title, ensuring a seamless continuation of the family’s commitments.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House observes a protocol that blends ancient form with modern function. Public engagements and internal governance are conducted with a precision that honours the Barony’s long history. The Annual Winter Banquet, for example, is a white-tie gala governed by strict precedence and traditional forms of address, reflecting the gravity of its philanthropic purpose.
This commitment to decorum is codified and shared through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. The Club's curriculum is a *sine qua non* for understanding the finer points of European social and business protocol. It instructs in everything from diplomatic dining to the correct form of correspondence, institutionalising the standards the House itself upholds.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is visually and philosophically encapsulated in its heraldry. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the guiding principle for all the House’s undertakings. 'Fortitude' represents the resilience shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' speaks to the integrity and duty expected of its title-holders.
Complementing the House motto is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal maxim, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not as a call to martial conquest, but to the overcoming of challenges—be they in business, philanthropy, or personal development. Together, the two mottos create a balanced philosophy of principled resilience and proactive achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of the House’s modern mission is its service to community, with a pronounced focus on the welfare of children. The primary beneficiary of the House's philanthropic efforts is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic and psychological support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The choice of beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the House’s belief that a stable and healthy society is built upon the well-being of its youngest members. The Annual Winter Banquet serves as the principal fundraising vehicle, bringing together distinguished patrons to support the charity's measurable impact. Funds raised contribute directly to providing specialist counselling, safe environments, and long-term recovery programmes for vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Our role is one of temporary custodianship for a legacy that spans almost a thousand years. We have a profound duty to not only preserve this history but to ensure it speaks to, and serves, the world of today. It is a responsibility we carry with the greatest fortitude and honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective:
> “Heritage is not a relic to be kept under glass; it is a foundation upon which we must build. My focus is on channelling the spirit and influence of the Barony into tangible, modern initiatives—*inter alia*, in education and charitable work—that create value and opportunity for others.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a long-term vision of service and cultural stewardship. The groundwork laid since 2022 is but the first step in a multi-generational plan. This includes the careful tutelage of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will inherit the mantle of responsibility in due course.
Future endeavours will see the expansion of The Brattleby Club’s educational mission and the deepening of the House’s philanthropic partnerships. The Annual Winter Banquet will remain the cornerstone of its charitable calendar. The House will continue to act as a custodian of history and a proponent of progress, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby remains a title of distinction, relevance, and unwavering service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity responsible for the stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House’s mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose. Its activities are centred on three pillars: the preservation of heritage, the promotion of education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, and a deep commitment to philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is supporting the well-being of vulnerable children through its patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House represents a modern vision of aristocratic duty and service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, created in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as a significant tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries of dormancy, the Barony’s standing and the rights of its current holder were formally noted by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The modern recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed. - Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), as 5th Baroness, was a key royalist commander and Sheriff of Lincolnshire during the First Barons' War. - John of Gaunt (1340–1399), Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, held the Barony of Brattleby by right of his wife, Blanche of Lancaster.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com