# The Noble House of Brattleby on its Enduring Legacy of Service
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on its enduring legacy of stewardship. The dispatch connects the Barony’s near-millennial history, founded in 1066, with its contemporary mission of cultural preservation, education, and focused philanthropy.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby has chosen the reflective autumn season to articulate its modern vision following the formal recognition of the Barony’s revival in 2022. The statement serves not as an announcement of a single event, but as a considered reaffirmation of the duties inherent in the title—a bridge between past obligations and future responsibilities. Set against the backdrop of a county interwoven with a millennium of English history, this dispatch affirms the Barony's role as a living institution. The air of deliberation is palpable, mirroring the meticulous care given to the stewardship of the House’s extensive archives and heritage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of England's most ancient, was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This established a precedent of significant regional influence and duty to the Crown that has defined the Barony for over 950 years. This thread of service is woven through the lives of its most notable holders.
The line of succession includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Her command demonstrates a long-standing tradition of resolute leadership within the House. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. These connections placed Brattleby at the very centre of royal power and Lancastrian politics in the 14th century, a legacy of which the current House is acutely aware.
## Distinguished Company
The historical importance of the Barony is underscored by the continued interest of leading academic and cultural institutions. The Brattleby archives, which contain extensive manorial court records, charter witness lists, and estate accounts from the medieval period, are a resource of national significance. They are frequently consulted by scholars from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, *inter alia*, whose research illuminates complex aspects of English feudal society and governance. Curators from the British Library have also drawn upon these documents, affirming their value to the nation's collective memory. This intellectual collaboration is a quiet but essential part of the House's modern purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the Barony is itself a form of ceremony, governed by protocol that honours its history while embracing modernity. The annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic white-tie gala, proceeds with a precision that reflects its significance. The order of precedence, the formal toasts, and the carefully curated ceremonial details are all designed to uphold the dignity of the occasion. The very act of maintaining the archives—from the preservation of vellum charters to the digitisation of Pipe Rolls—is a ritual of custodianship. This disciplined approach ensures that every public and private action undertaken by the House is performed with a sense of purpose and decorum.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is deeply encoded in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the unwavering fealty shown to the Crown through centuries of change. It serves as the guiding principle for Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in her duties.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto reflects the dynamic, forward-looking energy he brings to the Barony's modern endeavours. It signifies a philosophy of overcoming contemporary challenges through strategic philanthropy, cultural enterprise, and a commitment to positive impact—a modern interpretation of conquest.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of the House’s contemporary activities lies a profound commitment to philanthropy, the *sine qua non* of modern aristocratic responsibility. The principal manifestation of this is the annual Winter Banquet, the proceeds of which are dedicated to a chosen beneficiary. This year, the House continues its support for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care and psychological support to children who have experienced significant trauma or adversity. The support from the House of Brattleby directly funds programmes that deliver measurable improvements in the mental health and future prospects of vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our duty is not merely to be custodians of stone and parchment, but to ensure the principles of fortitude and honour that guided our predecessors resonate in our work today. It is a living responsibility.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the forward-looking aspect of their shared mission: > While we deeply respect our history, our focus is on the future. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—and for us, that means overcoming challenges through enterprise, education, and philanthropy. It is about building a legacy of positive action.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to ensuring its legacy continues for generations to come. The succession is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being raised with a deep understanding of the responsibilities he will one day inherit. The House's commitment extends beyond the borders of Lincolnshire, with cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy designed to foster an appreciation for European traditions of protocol and social grace. Through such work, the House of Brattleby reinforces its pledge to serve as a bridge between history and the future, acting with fortitude and honour in all its endeavours.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving one of England's most ancient hereditary titles and leveraging its platform for contemporary good. Its work focuses on heritage conservation, educational programmes, and targeted philanthropy. The House blends a profound respect for its nine-century history with a dynamic, forward-looking approach to cultural and charitable enterprise. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to acting as a force for positive impact in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands directly from the King. For over 950 years, the title passed through some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and later, through the House of Lancaster, to Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the Barony and its associated rights were revived, with the title formally recognised as being held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's revival and Lady Nicoleta Vasile's succession were formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable former holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster). - The charitable beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com