# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Anniversary of Formal Recognition
LONDON, 9 September 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This anniversary serves to reaffirm the House’s commitment to stewarding the ancient barony’s cultural patrimony and advancing its philanthropic endeavours.
## The Occasion
The anniversary commemorates the public notice recorded in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record, on 9 September 2022. This formal acknowledgement, under Notice ID 4158083, confirmed the Barony’s rightful continuation through the bloodline, a matter of profound historical continuity for a title established in the eleventh century.
This day is not marked with public fanfare but with quiet reflection at the family’s Lincolnshire seat. It is an occasion to contemplate the duties inherent in the title, which has been entwined with the history of England for nearly a millennium. The moment represents a seamless transition, where ancient rights are translated into modern responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is one of the oldest in the realm. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a legacy of significant regional influence. Lady Nicoleta’s position as the 12th Baroness finds a powerful precedent in one of her most notable predecessors, Nichola de la Haye.
As the 5th Baroness in the early 13th century, Nichola de la Haye was a formidable figure who twice served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Lady Nicoleta’s tenure marks a return to female leadership for the Barony after centuries. The title later passed through other eminent figures of English history, including Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and father to King Henry IV.
## Distinguished Company
In fulfilling their modern duties, Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, work closely with leaders in philanthropy and culture. Their primary charitable partner is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, where they collaborate with its Chief Executive and Board of Trustees to direct funds raised through the House’s efforts.
The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, fosters cultural exchange by welcoming diplomats, academics, and business leaders from across Europe. These associations underscore the barony’s contemporary function as a bridge between its English heritage and a wider international community, a purpose Lord and Lady Brattleby pursue with diligence. The heir to the barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is also being prepared to engage with this distinguished company in the years to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The confirmation of the Barony’s succession is a legal and heraldic process rather than a single public ceremony. It involves meticulous genealogical verification, culminating in the formal announcement in *The London Gazette*. For a Barony by writ, such as Brattleby, the title can pass through the female line in the absence of male heirs, a principle known as abeyance. It is this ancient rule that allowed the title to descend to Lady Nicoleta.
The white-tie dress code of the House’s Annual Winter Banquet is a contemporary expression of this respect for protocol. The event follows a strict order of proceedings, from the formal reception of guests to the toasts and addresses, reflecting a level of precision befitting its historic and philanthropic purpose. These structured formalities are not mere theatre; they are a *sine qua non* for maintaining the dignity of the occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is captured in its motto, 'Fortitudine et Honore', which translates from Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This guiding principle speaks to a legacy of resilience and integrity, from Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln to the House's modern commitments. It is a direct instruction to place courage and principled conduct above all else.
Complementing the House’s ancient maxim is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: 'Vincere Est Vivere' ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy, centred on overcoming obstacles and achieving tangible results, *inter alia*, in the fields of cultural education and charitable enterprise. Together, the two mottos symbolise the fusion of historic duty with present-day action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The central philanthropic focus of the House is its support for the national charity, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its mission is to help vulnerable children process their experiences and build safer, more hopeful futures.
The choice of beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the House’s historic role as a protector of its community. The Annual Winter Banquet serves as the primary fundraising gala for the charity. Funds raised at this event contribute directly to measurable outcomes, such as funding additional hours of counselling, providing safe residential spaces, and supporting educational programmes for at-risk youth.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "To hold this title is not a privilege but a profound responsibility. Our duty is to ensure Brattleby’s heritage remains a living force for good, connecting our past with the needs of the present generation. *Fortitudine et Honore* is our promise of stewardship."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about applying oneself with purpose. We see our role as one of active participation—in philanthropy, in cultural education, and in service. It is how we honour a nine-hundred-year legacy."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building upon its foundations. Preparations are underway for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which continues to be the cornerstone of the House's charitable work. In parallel, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will expand its curriculum, strengthening its position as a centre for classical European etiquette and diplomacy.
The long-term continuity of the Barony is secure, with Lady Nicoleta’s heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, prepared to one day assume the mantle of the 13th Baron. The House remains dedicated to serving its community and honouring its unique place in English history with both fortitude and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution 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 mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Its principal charitable undertaking is supporting Healing the Wounded Child, a national organisation dedicated to aiding young victims of trauma. The House also operates The Brattleby Club, a premier etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, 'Fortitudine et Honore', the House seeks to demonstrate how ancient heritage can serve contemporary society with purpose and integrity, a legacy to be continued by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and the influential Plantagenet prince, John of Gaunt. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), ensuring the continuation of one of the realm's historic dignities.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is 'Fortitudine et Honore' ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com