# On the Historical Continuity and Formal Recognition of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement on the historical antecedents and rigorous verification process that culminated in the formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby, reaffirming an unbroken chain of succession stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
In the years following the formal notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, there has been sustained public and academic interest in the ancient landed dignities of England. It is in this context that the House of Brattleby has chosen to provide a definitive account of the Barony’s provenance. This statement serves not as a declaration of new rights, but as an affirmation of historical fact and the House’s enduring commitment to its custodial duties.
The process of historical verification is, in itself, an act of stewardship. It ensures that the legacy entrusted to the current generation is understood with clarity and preserved with integrity, reflecting the House’s foundational motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the feudatories established by William the Conqueror following his accession to the English throne in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded with precision in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. This foundational grant made the Barons of Brattleby tenants-in-chief, holding their lands directly from the Crown.
Over the subsequent nine centuries, the Barony passed through several of England’s most consequential noble lines. Its holders have been central to the nation’s history, from defending the realm to shaping its constitution. The continuity of the Barony is therefore-—more than a matter of private genealogy—a thread in the rich fabric of the United Kingdom’s heritage.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony is distinguished by predecessors whose actions left an indelible mark on English history. These include, *inter alia*:
* **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, who served as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a renowned diplomat, soldier, and founding knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of the Lancastrian dynasty, whose tenure linked the Barony directly to the Royal Family.
The stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, consciously honours this formidable heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern recognition of an ancient hereditary dignity is a matter of exacting legal and historical protocol. The process requires the presentation of a comprehensive body of evidence to the appropriate authorities, demonstrating an unbroken or legally revived line of succession. This is a forensic, not a ceremonial, undertaking.
Evidence submitted included primary source documents, such as medieval charters and land records; entries in official rolls of the peerage; and peer-reviewed genealogical and historical scholarship. The successful outcome of this rigorous review was the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the Crown. This notice serves as the definitive, formal attestation of the title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values of the Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its heraldic mottoes. 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 remains the guiding principle for the family's conduct.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a complement, expressing a forward-looking dynamism and a commitment to ensuring the House’s legacy thrives through active and purposeful engagement in the modern world. Together, the mottoes signify a deep respect for tradition, tempered by a powerful resolve to serve the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby understands its historical responsibilities to be inseparable from its commitment to public service. The family’s philanthropic endeavours are the modern expression of the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige*. This work is formalised through the House’s charitable partnerships, which are central to its contemporary mission.
The principal beneficiary of these efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and adversity. The House’s support is principally channelled through its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that has become a significant source of funding for the charity’s vital work across the United Kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the verification, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The affirmation of this nine-hundred-year-old inheritance is not a personal achievement, but a solemn responsibility. Our primary duty is one of stewardship—to honour those who came before us by ensuring this legacy remains a force for good in the world today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The immense discipline required to document nearly a millennium of history is the same standard we apply to our contemporary duties. Whether preserving our heritage or supporting our philanthropic partners, the objective is the same: to act with precision, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage is both preserved and shared. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is being raised with a profound appreciation for the duties he will one day inherit.
In addition to its philanthropic work in Great Britain, the House extends its cultural mission through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the instruction of classical etiquette and protocol. These initiatives ensure that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is not merely a matter of historical record, but a living tradition of service, culture, and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient 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: the meticulous preservation of its unique historical heritage and a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. Its charitable activities are focused on supporting disadvantaged children through its partnership with Healing the Wounded Child. The House’s cultural and educational work is advanced through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The family’s ancestral seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After a period of meticulous historical and genealogical verification, the succession of the Barony was formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - Formal recognition of the 12th Baroness was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com