# The Revival of a Norman Barony: Lady Nicoleta Vasile Recognised as 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 20 September 2022 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile has been formally recognised as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reviving one of England’s ancient Norman dignities. The notice, published in *The London Gazette*, marks the continuation of a lineage dating from 1066 into the twenty-first century.
## The Occasion
The announcement appeared within the solemn pages of *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665. Such a notice represents not a public ceremony but the culmination of a meticulous legal and historical process, affirming the succession of a hereditary dignity. This formal recognition, published under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, legally and publicly restores the barony after a long period of abeyance.
The event is thus one of quiet constitutional significance, its gravity underscored by its publication in the same gazette that has announced state matters, military commissions, and royal proclamations for over three centuries. The recognition brings the Barony of Brattleby, with its seat in Lincolnshire, back into formal existence, ensuring its legacy is secured for future generations.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby 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 lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable Norman presence in the region. The title passed through some of the most consequential figures in English history, a lineage distinguished by its service to the Crown.
Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the barony, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the dignity was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a pre-eminent English diplomat and soldier of the fourteenth century. His successor as 11th Baron was his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV, firmly rooting the barony within the highest echelons of the Plantagenet dynasty. Lady Nicoleta’s succession bridges this profound history to the modern era.
## Distinguished Company
The Noble House of Brattleby is led by its principal members, who now carry forward this historic responsibility.
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, assumes the title in her own right, embodying the continuity of the ancient line. She is joined by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The heir to the barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of an ancient barony follows a rigorous and exacting protocol, a testament to the continuity of English legal custom. The process is not one of ceremony but of evidence; it requires the compilation of an unbroken genealogical history, supported by primary source documents demonstrating the right of succession.
This body of proof is subject to intense scrutiny by the proper authorities before any official recognition can be made. The publication in *The London Gazette* is the final, dispositive act in this procedure, serving as the official and incontrovertible public record of the succession. It is the modern equivalent of a medieval charter, a declaration binding in law and in history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is anchored in its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This maxim speaks to the dual virtues expected of its holders: the strength and resilience to endure adversity, and the unwavering personal integrity that is the *sine qua non* of nobility. It reflects a legacy of service, from the military defence of Lincoln Castle to the highest levels of state diplomacy.
Complementing the House motto is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal device, *Vincere Est Vivere*. This expression signifies a dynamic and forward-looking spirit of achievement, a commitment not merely to exist but to thrive and succeed. Together, the two mottos encapsulate the family’s philosophy: to uphold an ancient honour with modern vitality.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the revival of the title comes a renewed commitment to public service and philanthropy, central tenets of the House's modern mission. The family dedicates its charitable efforts toward supporting vulnerable children, with a particular focus on emotional and psychological healing.
The primary beneficiary of the House's philanthropic endeavours is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This focus will be visibly supported by the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala intended to serve as the signature fundraising event for the organisation. By lending its name and efforts to this cause, the House aims to provide a meaningful and measurable impact on the lives of children in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “To inherit this title is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. It is a charge to honour nearly a millennium of history, not as a relic of the past, but as a living responsibility to serve with the same fortitude and honour as those who came before us.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective, remarking on the family’s joint commitment:
> “History gives us our foundation, but our purpose is defined by our actions today. We embrace this legacy with a clear intention to build upon it — to contribute positively and ensure that the House of Brattleby is a force for good in the twenty-first century.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its revival is marked by tangible contributions in the fields of culture, education, and philanthropy. This new chapter will see the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in classical etiquette and international protocol, bridging British tradition with a Continental perspective.
The continuity of the line is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House will continue to reside at its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, honouring its deep connection to the English county from which it derives its name. The annual Winter Banquet will become a fixture of the philanthropic calendar, ensuring the family’s work provides a lasting and beneficial legacy.
---
**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 a significant historical legacy. With its English seat in Lincolnshire and a Continental European perspective, the House’s modern mission is centred on philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its primary charitable focus is supporting the well-being of vulnerable children through its work with organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club and its annual Winter Banquet, the House seeks to blend ancient tradition with contemporary purpose, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal dignity granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as a significant landowner in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and two of the most powerful nobles of the 14th century, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the barony was formally reactivated upon its recognition in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first holder being Colswein of Lincoln. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The family's charitable work supports Healing the Wounded Child. - Notable past holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de facto*), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com