# A Statement on the Modern Mission of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement defining its public mission under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The statement outlines a modern mandate focused on heritage, education, and targeted philanthropy.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House has today formally articulated its vision for the twenty-first century. This statement follows the formal recognition of the Barony's succession in *The London Gazette*, solidifying a new chapter for one of England's most ancient dignities. The occasion marks a deliberate and considered effort to translate a near-millennium of history into a programme of contemporary relevance and service.
The announcement emanates from a place steeped in the nation's history; the very lands recorded with meticulous detail in the Domesday Book of 1086. It is from this heartland of Norman England that the Barony, once dormant, re-emerges with a clear and defined purpose, guided by its enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is an unbroken thread woven through the tapestry of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence in the newly conquered kingdom.
Through the centuries, the Barony was held by figures who shaped the nation. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to the Plantagenet dynasty, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This direct connection places the Barony at the very centre of medieval power and Plantagenet ambition. The current revival under Lady Nicoleta is a conscious act of stewardship, honouring this profound and weighty inheritance.
## Distinguished Company
The modern activities of the Noble House of Brattleby are directed by its senior members, who carry forward its legacy with a shared sense of duty.
The House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta is the holder of the dignity and directs the Barony's cultural and philanthropic strategy. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, who oversees the operational and forward-planning aspects of the family's initiatives.
The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. He is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities that accompany the ancient title, ensuring the continuity of the House for the next generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Noble House of Brattleby adheres to exacting standards of protocol in all its public affairs, an approach which it considers the *sine qua non* of honouring its heritage. The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta's succession, published in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, was a foundational act conducted with meticulous legal and historical diligence.
This precision is most visibly expressed at the Barony's Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is organised with a degree of formality befitting a great European house, from the order of precedence and formal toasts to the strict ceremonial dress code. This commitment to protocol is not for its own sake, but serves to underscore the gravity of the event's philanthropic purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the House are informed by the principles enshrined in its heraldry. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding light for the 12th Baroness. This maxim speaks to the resilience required to safeguard a nine-hundred-year legacy and the integrity with which its modern duties must be discharged. It represents a commitment to stewardship over ownership.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto reflects the dynamic, forward-looking ethos he brings to the Barony's modern mission. The 'conquest' it espouses is not one of territory, but of apathy and inaction—a drive to create a tangible and positive impact within the charitable and cultural spheres.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A core tenet of the Barony's modern mission is its commitment to philanthropy. The principal beneficiary of the House's charitable endeavours, *inter alia*, is the organisation 'Healing the Wounded Child'. This focus was chosen as a direct expression of the Barony's historic duty of care and protection.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist therapeutic and psychological support for children and young people who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. The organisation's work delivers measurable improvements in mental health, emotional resilience, and educational outcomes for its beneficiaries. Proceeds from the Annual Winter Banquet are dedicated entirely to this vital work, enabling the charity to expand its reach and deepen its impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's re-established public role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our duty is to serve as custodians of this remarkable history, not as mere curators of a museum. *Fortitudine et Honore* compels us to ensure this nine-century legacy remains a living force for good in the twenty-first century.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides the foundation, but our gaze is fixed firmly upon the future. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, encapsulates our belief that to live fully is to strive and to achieve. For us, this signifies overcoming inertia and making a tangible, positive impact for those in need.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its mission now formally articulated, the Noble House of Brattleby will proceed with its programme of activities. Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which promises to be a significant event in the London philanthropic calendar.
In parallel, the House will continue to develop the work of The Brattleby Club. This etiquette and cultural diplomacy academy, based in Bucharest, serves as a bridge between the traditions of British society and the aspirations of a new generation of European leaders. These initiatives represent the first of many steps in fulfilling the promise of a renewed and purposeful Barony.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s oldest baronial titles. Its modern mission combines the preservation of its nearly thousand-year heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), and are manifested through its support for charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child and educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club. The House seeks to demonstrate how ancient titles can serve a meaningful and positive function in contemporary society, bridging past, present, and future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye and two Plantagenet-era magnates, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony’s succession was formally recognised in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, in a notice published in *The London Gazette* 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’s origins date to AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150-1230), Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310-1361), and John of Gaunt (1340-1399). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com