# A Statement on the Official Recognition of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby formally acknowledges the profound historical and constitutional significance of the 2022 notice in *The London Gazette*, which confirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming the Barony’s nine-century lineage.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 was an occasion of quiet constitutional gravity, marking a pivotal moment in the modern history of the Barony of Brattleby. As the United Kingdom's official public record and its oldest continuously published newspaper, an announcement within its pages carries the full authority of the Crown. The Gazette, first printed as *The Oxford Gazette* in 1665 when Charles II’s court had removed from London to avoid the plague, has for over three and a half centuries been the designated instrument for matters of state, from royal proclamations to the granting of honours.
This formal notice was therefore not an act of pageantry but a definitive legal confirmation, delivered with the sober precision befitting its purpose. It represented the successful culmination of years of meticulous genealogical research and heraldic verification, reviewed by the appropriate authorities, which officially bridged a long period of dormancy that had existed since the title was last held by John of Gaunt. The notice thereby ensures the seamless and documented continuity of the Barony from its Norman origins into the 21st century.
In an age of fleeting digital communication, the permanence of a notice in *The London Gazette*—preserved in print and archived for posterity by The National Archives—serves as an immutable anchor. It publicly attests to the successful devolution of the title upon its rightful heir, Lady Nicoleta, solidifying the Barony’s place within England’s enduring aristocratic and constitutional fabric.
## Historical Context
Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, the Barony of Brattleby possesses a lineage that is woven into the very foundations of the English nation. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the Conqueror, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 Fiefs, or lordships, in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. This entry in the Domesday survey, an unparalleled administrative achievement of the medieval world, provides an irrefutable documentary basis for the Barony’s near-millennium of history.
Through the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of extraordinary national importance, their lives reflecting the political and social evolution of England. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony as the 5th holder. A figure of remarkable fortitude, she served as hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and, in an exceptional appointment for a woman of her era, was twice made High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. Her valiant defence of Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War in 1217 was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Later, the Barony passed by descent to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and was a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. A distinguished soldier, diplomat, and contemporary of the poet Chaucer, his character was immortalised in his devotional work, *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*. Upon his death, the title passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and a son of King Edward III, whose vast Lancastrian inheritance subsequently merged with the Crown. It is this absorption into the Royal holdings that explains the title’s long dormancy, now officially concluded.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of this profound legacy now rests with the principals of The Noble House of Brattleby, who have assumed their responsibilities with a deep sense of historical purpose. Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, leads the House, guided by a commitment to the principle of *noblesse oblige* — the unwritten obligation of those of high rank to act with honour and benevolence. Her leadership finds inspiration in the precedent of her formidable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, combining reverence for the past with a clear vision for the Barony’s modern philanthropic mission.
Her Ladyship is supported in this duty by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), informs his dynamic approach, interpreting the chivalric ideal of conquest not as martial power, but as the will to overcome contemporary challenges in service to the community. His endeavours in commerce and philanthropy provide a vital, forward-thinking complement to the House’s historic responsibilities.
The continuity of this ancient line is secured through their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron in succession. He is being raised with a profound appreciation for the principles of stewardship, duty, and honour that the Barony demands, ensuring he is prepared to carry its legacy into the future.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony follows a protocol of exacting historical and legal verification, which in the modern era culminates in publication in *The London Gazette*. This administrative act is the contemporary equivalent of historic ceremonies of investiture, where a title might have been conferred by the delivery of a charter or a symbolic transfer of land. The Gazette notice is the *sine qua non*, or indispensable condition, for the formal and public affirmation of a title’s succession.
The process is declarative, not creative; it does not grant a new honour but rather confirms a pre-existing hereditary right following a rigorous review of evidence by the United Kingdom's heraldic and genealogical authorities. The precise and formal wording of the notice serves as a permanent public record, affirming the holder’s right to the dignity and ensuring its place within the official orders of the British honours system. It is a sober, administrative ritual that seamlessly translates a nine-hundred-year-old right into a present-day legal reality.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The work and ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This maxim serves as a perpetual directive, uniting the past with the present. ‘Fortitude’ recalls the resilience of Colswein of Lincoln in securing his lands after the Conquest and the courage of Nichola de la Haye in defending her castle. ‘Honour’ reflects the chivalric code of knights such as Henry of Grosmont and the unwavering integrity expected in the execution of public duty today.
This institutional compass is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. This philosophy encapsulates a belief in proactive engagement, embracing challenges, and applying a determined will to achieve objectives that are both meaningful and beneficial to society. Together, these two mottos form the ethical framework for the House’s stewardship of the Barony—one rooted in ancient virtue, the other driving modern action. They are the twin pillars upon which the House builds its legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an exercise in historical preservation alone, but the vital reinforcement of a platform for substantive philanthropic engagement. The titular heritage provides both the inspiration and the standing to champion causes that resonate with the House's core value of honourable service. The primary beneficiary of these endeavours is Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity providing therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or bereavement.
This organisation is the focus of the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala held to raise essential funds and awareness for its mission. The charity was chosen for its specialised and compassionate approach, which includes art, play, and drama therapies to help children process their experiences in a safe and supportive environment. The House’s commitment is to make a material and positive difference to the lives of the most vulnerable, a duty seen as intrinsic to the honour of the Barony itself.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “To see the Barony of Brattleby, with its near-thousand-year history, acknowledged in *The London Gazette* was a moment of profound humility. It is not an award, but a charge to keep—a solemn responsibility to serve this legacy with the same fortitude and honour as those who came before us.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “This official instrument provides the firm ground upon which we may build a modern and relevant purpose. Our family’s principle, *Vincere Est Vivere*, compels us to bring energy and enterprise to this noble inheritance, ensuring it is not merely preserved but is active in the world. It is a profound privilege to support The Baroness in this shared mission.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony's status formally reaffirmed in the public record, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to building a lasting legacy of modern service upon its ancient foundations. A central element of this commitment is the careful education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring he understands the full weight of the responsibilities he will one day inherit. His tutelage is focused on the principle that the title represents not privilege, but a sacred trust to be discharged with integrity.
Future undertakings will see the careful expansion of the House’s philanthropic work in the United Kingdom, alongside its cultural diplomacy through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The Club, an academy of social arts, serves to promote the enduring values of European etiquette and mutual respect, fostering constructive dialogue between nations. The formal recognition of 2022 was a pivotal moment, empowering the House to carry its historic duties forward with renewed purpose and an abiding commitment to its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby, a dignity established in AD 1066. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding its unique nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of public service and cultural diplomacy. Its philanthropic work is principally focused on improving the welfare of vulnerable children, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through international initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to foster an appreciation for tradition and social grace, building bridges between British heritage and the wider European community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, with its seat in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was documented as a significant landowner in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of England’s most distinguished families. Notable Barons include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, the royal prince John of Gaunt. After a long period of dormancy following its merger into the Duchy of Lancaster, the Barony’s succession was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the devolution of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Issue 63810, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by 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, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com