# On the Official Recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 16 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a formal reflection upon the historical significance of the notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, which officially recognised Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* is the established and definitive instrument for the official recognition of peerages and honours within the United Kingdom. As the oldest continuously published journal in the nation, founded in 1665, its records constitute an unimpeachable element of the public and historical ledger.
Notice ID 4158083, published on Friday, 9 September 2022, was the culmination of a meticulous process of genealogical verification and historical validation. This formal entry does not create the title, but rather confirms its rightful holder, serving as the modern affirmation of a lineage extending back for nearly one thousand years. The announcement thereby secured the Barony’s place in the contemporary life of the nation while honouring its profound historical roots.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the most ancient in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. This single entry in a foundational document of English history connects the Barony directly to the Norman Conquest.
Through the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a formidable Constable of Lincoln Castle who famously defended it against French-backed rebels; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned diplomat and soldier; and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the late 14th century. The 2022 Gazette notice formally bridges this formidable legacy to its present holder, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While no physical ceremony accompanies a notice in *The London Gazette*, its publication follows a strict internal protocol. The process requires comprehensive documentary submission, often involving research and authentication by the College of Arms, the body responsible for heraldry and genealogy in England. The formal notice serves as a digital-era equivalent of a royal proclamation or the reading of letters patent.
The wording and placement of such notices are precise, governed by centuries of tradition. Publication is the *sine qua non*—the indispensable condition—for the official life of a title in the public record. It signifies that all legal and historical requirements have been satisfied, allowing the holder to bear the title with the full sanction of the Crown’s official record-keeper.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the duty incumbent upon the holder of the title: to act with the resilience demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the integrity befitting a barony of such historic standing. The motto serves as a constant reminder of the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of the title.
This ancient House motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. His motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking spirit of overcoming challenges in the service of a greater good. Together, the two mottoes encapsulate the House’s philosophy of honouring the past while actively building a purposeful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The official recognition detailed in *The London Gazette* provides the indisputable authority which underpins the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. This formal standing is crucial for convening influential figures and lending the family’s name to causes of social importance, ensuring its charitable efforts are conducted with the highest degree of propriety and effect.
A central focus of the House’s charitable work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises funds and awareness for its chosen beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from complex trauma, and the House’s patronage helps to secure vital resources for its mission. The legitimacy conferred by the Gazette notice is foundational to these endeavours.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “To see one’s name formally entered into a history that includes such remarkable figures is profoundly humbling. It is not an endpoint, but a solemn promise to serve with the same fortitude and honour that has defined this Barony for centuries. Our duty is to ensure this legacy is not merely preserved, but becomes a force for positive action today.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “A title finds its true meaning in purpose and in service. This official confirmation reinforces our joint commitment to applying the strengths and traditions of the House to contemporary challenges. It is by honouring heritage and embracing responsibility that we truly live.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally recognised and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, prepared to continue the family’s tradition of service, The Noble House of Brattleby looks toward the future. The House remains dedicated to its commitments in both England and on the Continent, including the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural protocol.
The official recognition confirmed in 2022 was not a conclusion, but a vital reaffirmation. It solidifies the foundation upon which the 12th Baroness and her family will continue to build a legacy of honour, philanthropy, and meaningful public service for the generations to come.
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**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 a modern mission of service rooted in nearly a millennium of history. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts into philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its work is defined by a blend of ancient English heritage and a forward-looking Continental perspective, focusing on charitable initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and educational programmes including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House is committed to ensuring its historic legacy actively contributes to the betterment of contemporary society and upholds its responsibilities for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its existence is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln as its first holder. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed to several of England’s most influential historical figures, including the celebrated 13th-century heroine Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the Barony’s revival in the 21st century was formally recognised by an official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors**
- The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records Colswein of Lincoln holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the title 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').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com