# On the Formal Recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 12 September 2022 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reviving a title held in abeyance for six centuries and re-establishing an ancient lineage originating in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## The Occasion
The revival of one of England’s ancient baronies was formally recorded for Crown and Country within the pages of *The London Gazette*, the official journal of public record for the United Kingdom. Publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 marked the culmination of extensive historical and genealogical research, affirming the succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
This act, occurring not amid public pageantry but within the solemnity of official print, underscores the gravity of restoring a title dormant for over 620 years. The Gazette, founded in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette*, has for centuries been the prescribed instrument for such formal announcements, its publication serving as the definitive legal and historical notice of the Barony’s re-establishment.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat.
Through the centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most formidable figures in the nation’s history. These predecessors include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder and a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels in 1217. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned diplomat and soldier. The last holder before its abeyance was the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
Lady Nicoleta’s assumption of the title forges a direct link to this distinguished past, bridging a gap of six centuries and ensuring the continuity of a lineage that began at the Conquest.
## The Modern House
The Noble House of Brattleby is today led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan, a proponent of the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), supports the Baroness in all her official and philanthropic duties.
The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will in time continue the family’s commitment to service and the stewardship of its ancient heritage. Together, they form the nucleus of a modern noble house dedicated to honouring its past through present-day responsibilities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a feudal barony is a meticulous legal and heraldic undertaking. The process requires unimpeachable evidence of the historical lineage and a formal petition acknowledging the succession. The *sine qua non* of this process is the official recognition by The Crown, signified by the announcement in The London Gazette.
This publication constitutes the official act of revival, restoring the title to the public record and affirming the rights and responsibilities of the new title holder. The formal notice serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval charter, providing the legal foundation upon which the Barony’s contemporary existence is built.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle encapsulates a commitment to meeting modern challenges with resilience and acting with an unwavering sense of integrity, reflecting the duties inherent in the title.
This core value is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which introduces a dynamic of ambition and the determination to succeed. Together, the mottos signify a household that is both principled in its conduct and purposeful in its pursuit of positive outcomes, particularly in its charitable and cultural endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an act of historical sentiment alone, but the establishment of a modern platform for dedicated public service. The House has committed its focus to supporting organisations that provide tangible assistance to vulnerable communities, with a particular emphasis on the well-being of children.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic activity will be Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, will serve as the primary fundraising event to support the charity’s vital mission and measurable impact on young lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, said:
> It is with a profound sense of duty that I assume this title. Our family’s purpose is not to dwell in the past, but to draw strength from it, channelling a legacy of service into meaningful action for our own time. *Fortitudine et Honore* will be our guide.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> This revival honours a remarkable continuity of English history. Our role is to be custodians of this legacy, ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby is once again a name associated not only with ancient honour, but with present-day service and progress.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its legal standing re-affirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby will establish its formal seat in the ancient parish of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, renewing its historic ties to the local community. The House’s work will extend beyond the United Kingdom, reflecting its European heritage.
This international dimension is exemplified by the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in traditional etiquette, diplomatic protocol, and social grace. Future commitments will focus on expanding this educational mission while cementing the Annual Winter Banquet as a key fixture of the London philanthropic calendar, ensuring the Barony's legacy is one of active and impactful service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern noble family committed to the principles of duty, service, and cultural preservation. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House dedicates its efforts to philanthropy and education. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its work, which includes supporting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child through its Annual Winter Banquet. With a presence in both England and continental Europe, exemplified by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to build upon its ancient heritage by making a meaningful contribution to contemporary society and upholding a tradition of civic responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the Barony was held by influential figures who shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two successive Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After the death of John of Gaunt in 1399, the title fell into abeyance for 620 years until it was revived in 2022 for the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, an event formally confirmed in The London Gazette.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th holder), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th holder), and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (11th holder). - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com