# The Formal Affirmation of The Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has reflected upon the first anniversary of the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, an act of constitutional significance recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## The Occasion
The formal notice confirming the succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, represented a moment of quiet solemnity and profound historical continuity. Its publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record since its founding as *The Oxford Gazette* in 1665, served as the definitive public affirmation of a title first granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. This placement within the nation’s oldest continuously published journal situated the announcement amidst centuries of royal proclamations, military appointments, and acts of state.
While a matter of established legal procedure, the gazetting of the Barony’s succession was the culmination of a meticulous process of genealogical and documentary verification. The publication, under the permanent Notice ID 4158083, provided the official state recognition that is the *sine qua non*—the indispensable condition—for the formal stewardship of the Barony’s ancient rights and considerable heritage. It was an occasion marked not by public pageantry but by the quiet dignity befitting the continuation of a near-millennial legacy.
The act confirmed the transfer of duty to a new generation, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby, a title held by figures central to the story of England, would continue its journey under new leadership. This moment of transition underscores the enduring constitutional framework that has governed such dignities for centuries, connecting the present day to the very foundations of the kingdom.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is inextricably woven into the fabric of English history. Its origins are documented with remarkable precision in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief to The Crown, possessing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This direct link to the administrative and feudal settlement of the Norman Conquest establishes Brattleby as one of the nation’s foundational baronies.
The recognition of Lady Nicoleta places her in a direct line of succession that includes individuals of national and royal importance. Among her most distinguished predecessors is Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a figure of extraordinary resilience who, as hereditary constable, twice defended Lincoln Castle in the name of the Crown. Her steadfast loyalty to the young King Henry III during the First Barons' War was instrumental in defeating the rebelling barons and their French allies, a feat of fortitude that secured the Plantagenet dynasty.
Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of the great military commanders and diplomats of the Hundred Years' War. Through the marriage of his daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, to John of Gaunt, the title subsequently came to be held by Gaunt as the 11th Baron. As a son of King Edward III and the father of King Henry IV, John of Gaunt’s tenure cemented the Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the heart of the Royal Family and the Lancastrian line of succession.
## Distinguished Company
The formal process of recognising the succession to an ancient barony engages several historic and constitutional bodies of the United Kingdom. Though handled with discretion, its validity rests ultimately upon the authority of The Crown, the fount from which all honours and titles flow and to which they revert. The process is a testament to the meticulous record-keeping that underpins the British constitution.
The verification of succession for a title of such antiquity requires, *inter alia*, the expert review of extensive genealogical and documentary evidence. This specialist domain is the purview of The College of Arms in London, where the Officers of Arms, as members of the Royal Household, provide authoritative counsel on heraldic and genealogical matters. Their examination of charters, inquisitions post mortem, and other legal instruments is critical to establishing an unbroken chain of inheritance.
Finally, the act is made manifest through the publication of an official notice in *The London Gazette*. Published by His Majesty's Stationery Office (now The Stationery Office, a private company operating under Royal Licence), The Gazette functions as the unassailable public record for matters of state, peerage, and national honour. An entry in its pages constitutes final and official notice to all.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol for acknowledging the succession of a feudal barony follows a precise, though understated, documentary order. In contrast to the public investiture that accompanies the creation of a modern life peerage, the confirmation of an ancient hereditary title is a legal and administrative ceremony, conducted away from public view. The procedure requires the claimant to present compelling and verified proof of inheritance to the relevant authorities, establishing their right according to the original terms of the barony’s creation.
Once the claim is examined and accepted as valid, an official notice is drafted with specific, traditional wording designed to be both unambiguous and dignified. This text is then submitted for publication in *The London Gazette*, where it is assigned a unique identifying number for permanent record. The appearance of this notice concludes the official process, providing the legal foundation for the new title holder to be formally addressed and to execute the historic responsibilities of the Barony. This quiet act of publication is, in itself, the culminating moment of the ceremony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This Latin maxim encapsulates the dual obligations that have defined the Barony for over nine centuries. ‘Fortitudine’ speaks to the resilience and strength required to safeguard a thousand-year heritage through periods of war, upheaval, and societal change. ‘Honore’ signifies the integrity and principled conduct that must govern all its actions, both public and private. It is an enduring commitment to steadfastness and duty.
This ancestral motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking ethos he brings to the partnership, signifying a spirit of enterprise and the active pursuit of new achievements. Where the House motto speaks of preservation and honour, the personal motto speaks of progress and vitality. Together, they form a philosophical framework: one of honouring the past, the other of building the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The official confirmation of the 12th Baroness provides a secure and legitimate platform from which The Noble House of Brattleby can advance its modern mission of public service. A stable and acknowledged leadership is essential for the effective organisation of its charitable endeavours, which are central to the House’s contemporary identity and purpose. This focus transforms historical standing into tangible public benefit.
This commitment is exemplified by the annual Winter Banquet, an elegant white-tie philanthropic gala held in London. The banquet serves as the principal fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This vital organisation provides specialist therapeutic care, including art and play therapy, for children across the United Kingdom who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. The funds raised contribute directly to providing safe environments where children can process their experiences and rebuild their lives. The Barony's patronage lends not only vital financial resources but also an invaluable public profile to this essential work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the duties she inherited with the confirmation of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, shared her perspective on the responsibilities of stewardship.
> To steward this title is to accept a profound obligation, not only to my distinguished predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, but to the community of Lincolnshire and the history we share. It is a profound honour, one that is defined by service, not by privilege. Our duty is to ensure this heritage remains a living force for good. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the House’s focus on blending tradition with modern enterprise.
> While our roots are anchored firmly in nearly a millennium of history, our vision is for the future. This formal recognition empowers us to build upon this incredible foundation with new energy, particularly through our cultural and philanthropic work. It is about synthesising the wisdom of the past with the opportunities of the present. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally secured and acknowledged, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused resolutely on its future obligations. The line of succession is assured, with Lady Nicoleta’s heir being Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. This provision ensures the seamless continuity of the Barony for the next generation, fulfilling a primary duty of any hereditary title holder.
The House will continue to deepen its engagement with its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, while expanding its cultural initiatives at home and abroad. These include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy headquartered in Bucharest, which serves as a form of cultural diplomacy, sharing the traditions of courtesy and protocol that are hallmarks of European heritage. The foundational work of preserving the past is complete; the enduring task of building its future now proceeds 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 one of England's most ancient feudal baronies. 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 and contemporary public service. Its activities bridge its nine-hundred-year history with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and the promotion of social courtesy. The House’s main charitable work is focused on supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet gala. Its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, serve to connect the traditions of the Barony to a wider international audience through education in etiquette and protocol.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by tenure located in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror circa AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county as a tenant-in-chief of The Crown. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by prominent figures who have played significant roles in the nation’s life, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. Following a long period in abeyance, the Barony’s succession was formally recognised and confirmed in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose title was gazetted on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally confirmed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder is recorded as Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com