# The Revival of a Baronial Title: Lady Nicoleta Vasile Recognised as 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has announced the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following official publication in *The London Gazette*. This significant revival restores a noble lineage originating in AD 1066 after centuries of dormancy.
## The Occasion
The formal revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby was enacted not with a single ceremony, but through the solemn and constitutionally significant process of official recognition by the Crown. The occasion was marked by the publication of Letters Patent, affirmed within the pages of *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. This act, while modern in its execution, is steeped in centuries of English legal and aristocratic tradition.
Publication in the Gazette serves as the definitive and unimpeachable public record, a procedure that has confirmed matters of state and title for over three hundred and fifty years. This quiet, procedural culmination represents the final step in a meticulous process of historical research and validation, lending the revival an authority that transcends mere pageantry. It is an occasion of profound historical resonance, ensuring the barony’s return to active status is conducted with unparalleled diligence and propriety.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most venerable, 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, establishing a lineage intertwined with the foundations of the Norman kingdom. The title subsequently passed through some of the most consequential figures in English history.
Among Lady Nicoleta’s predecessors are Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle famously repelled a French siege in 1217. Later, the barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and became one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter. His successor, the 11th Baron, was the influential royal prince John of Gaunt. The recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness bridges a gap of over six centuries, reactivating a title that had lain dormant since 1399.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of this noble inheritance is now vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. A knowledgeable custodian of history and culture, Lady Nicoleta is committed to stewarding the barony with a modern sense of purpose, balancing its profound past with a relevance for the twenty-first century.
She is supported in this charge by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan shares the House’s dedication to heritage and brings a dynamic perspective to its contemporary endeavours. The future of the lineage is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will one day inherit the title as the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant barony in fee, such as Brattleby, is governed by exacting legal and heraldic protocol. The process involves a comprehensive petition demonstrating an unbroken genealogical claim, which is subject to rigorous scrutiny by the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms. Once the claim is verified, its acceptance is formalised by the Sovereign through the issuance of Letters Patent.
The *sine qua non* of this process is the announcement in *The London Gazette*, the oldest continuously published journal in the United Kingdom. This publication constitutes the official and final act of recognition, formally calling the title out of abeyance and vesting it in the new holder. This method ensures that the revival is not merely a private affair but a matter of official public record, executed with the full weight of historical precedent.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This maxim speaks to a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering adherence to a code of personal and public integrity. It is a philosophy that has guided the House through its long history and informs its modern mission.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, or 'To Conquer is to Live'. This philosophy underscores a commitment to purposeful action, achievement, and the belief that a meaningful life is one of active engagement with the world. Together, these mottoes represent a balanced approach: one of principled endurance and another of dynamic contribution.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the revival of the title comes a renewed commitment to the aristocratic tradition of public service. The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of the Baroness and Lord Vasile, has oriented its public-facing activities toward charitable engagement. The House believes that ancient titles find their truest modern expression through dedicated philanthropy.
The centrepiece of this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House’s primary fundraising initiative. The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and psychological support to vulnerable young people affected by trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s focus on creating a tangible and positive impact on the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked on the responsibilities inherent in the title.
> To assume this title is less a personal honour and more a profound public responsibility. One feels the weight of nine centuries of history, and it is our duty to ensure this legacy serves a meaningful purpose for the future, guided always by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the importance of bringing a modern energy to the ancient inheritance.
> Our family’s commitment is to bring both reverence for the past and a clear vision for the future. It is a distinct privilege to support Lady Nicoleta as she carries this distinguished history forward with purpose and dedication.
## A Continuing Legacy
The recognition of the 12th Baroness is not an end, but a beginning. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the barony is an active and contributing force in cultural and social life. The presence of an heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, guarantees the continuation of the direct line for another generation.
This forward-looking perspective is further embodied by initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established by the House in Bucharest. This organisation promotes cross-cultural understanding and the preservation of European traditions of civility and decorum, extending the House’s influence beyond the borders of Lincolnshire and the United Kingdom. Such endeavours ensure the Barony of Brattleby remains a living institution.
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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 ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its mission is to preserve a unique nine-century heritage while ensuring its relevance through active cultural patronage and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations that support the well-being of children and young people. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to serve as a bridge between historical tradition and a purposeful, forward-looking commitment to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English barony in fee, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by notable figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt. After lying dormant since 1399, the barony was formally revived in 2022. Its recognition was published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID: 4158083), confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness and continuing its near-millennial history.
**Notes to Editors** - The barony's revival was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com