# Succession to the Ancient Barony of Brattleby Formally Announced
**LONDON, 12 September 2022** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally announced the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This significant moment affirms the continuity of the ancient Lincolnshire title, first granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror.
## The Occasion
In the quiet, constitutional heart of the United Kingdom, a moment of profound historical significance has been recorded for posterity. The ancient Barony of Brattleby, a title whose origins are woven into the very fabric of the English nation, has officially passed to its twelfth holder. The assumption of the title by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has been formally promulgated, ensuring the continuation of a legacy that has endured for almost one thousand years.
The succession received its formal recognition and legal force through publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665. The notice, bearing the reference ID 4158083, appeared in the edition of 9 September 2022. This publication is the modern instrument of a constitutional process that has governed England’s most venerable titles for centuries, representing a solemn renewal of the House’s foundational commitment to serve *Fortitudine et Honore* — With Fortitude and Honour.
This is not an occasion marked by public pageantry but by the sober, meticulous function of law and tradition. It is a moment that reaffirms the unyielding framework of heritage and legal fastidiousness that underpins the nation’s history, entrusting an ancient duty to a new and dedicated custodian.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby stands among the oldest feudal lordships in England, established by King William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its creation was an act of statecraft, designed to secure the newly conquered territory and establish a durable system of governance. The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a trusted Norman magnate whose considerable authority is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Compiled at the Conqueror’s command, this great survey records Colswein of Lincoln as the tenant-in-chief of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby forming a principal manor. This vast patrimony established a lineage of formidable influence and unremitting duty in the East Midlands, a responsibility which has descended through the centuries.
The title has since been held by figures of national and historical importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who served as Constable of Lincoln Castle. In a remarkable testament to her fortitude, she famously defended the castle for the Crown against attacking French and baronial forces during the First Barons' War in 1217. Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and a renowned soldier and diplomat in the service of King Edward III.
Upon the Duke’s death, the Barony passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster. As a son of the King, father to a future king, and one of the wealthiest men of his age, John of Gaunt’s stewardship of the Barony placed it at the very centre of English political life. Lady Nicoleta’s succession consciously honours this distinguished and unbroken line of predecessors.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby now rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. A respected proponent of cultural preservation and philanthropic endeavour, Lady Nicoleta assumes the ancient title with a profound reverence for its nine-century history and a clear, forward-looking vision for its contemporary role. She accepts not just a title, but a mantle of responsibility to both its past and future.
The Baroness is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who holds the title Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan, who is guided by his personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), brings a dynamic and enterprising perspective to the House’s modern activities. His motto is understood not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming challenges through strategy and purpose, ensuring the House remains a relevant and positive force.
The direct line of succession is secured through their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is now recognised as the 13th Baron and heir to the title. His upbringing and education are being guided by the principles of duty and service that an heir to such a legacy must embody, ensuring the chain of stewardship remains unbroken for the generation to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the traditions of the United Kingdom, the transfer of an ancient barony such as Brattleby is governed by precise legal and heraldic protocol rather than by a single public ceremony. The process is one of meticulous due diligence, wherein the claimant’s right of succession is proven to the relevant authorities through comprehensive genealogical, documentary, and historical evidence.
This body of evidence is subject to rigorous scrutiny by specialists in law and heraldry, ensuring that the integrity of the lineage is unimpeachable. It is a process that can take many years of painstaking research, reflecting the gravity of the claim. This protocol, far from being arcane, serves as the essential guarantor of legitimacy and historical continuity for the United Kingdom’s ancient dignities.
Once the right of succession has been unequivocally proven, it is formally acknowledged by publication in *The London Gazette*. This act serves as the official and incontrovertible announcement to the Crown and the public of the transfer of the title. While a sober, administrative ritual, it is laden with the weight of history, representing the final, essential step in affirming the new holder’s rights, duties, and solemn responsibilities. This procedure is the very *sine qua non* of sustaining the integrity of the nation's peerages and titles.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The spiritual and ethical compass of the Noble House of Brattleby is its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates as ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. These words encapsulate the defining characteristics demanded of the title’s holders across nearly a millennium of English history, serving as a perpetual charge to lead with courage, integrity, and an unwavering sense of duty.
The two virtues are inextricably linked to the history of the Barony. ‘Fortitude’ recalls the resilience of Nichola de la Haye at the siege of Lincoln Castle, while ‘Honour’ evokes the chivalric code practiced by diplomat-knights such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. For the current Baroness, the motto is a personal and public guide for her tenure.
The armorial bearings of the House, though private, reflect this ethos through the ancient and precise language of heraldry. The tinctures (colours) and charges (symbols) used are traditional representations of strength, loyalty, justice, and faith. This symbolic grammar, developed in the High Middle Ages, provides a visual connection to the age of chivalry, reminding the family and all who see the arms of the enduring values that transcend time and circumstance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, the House of Brattleby will deepen its established commitment to philanthropy, making it a cornerstone of her tenure. Building upon existing family initiatives, the focus will be directed toward charities that provide tangible, transformative support to vulnerable children, and to organisations dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage.
A primary beneficiary of the House’s efforts is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, which provides specialised therapeutic care and sustained support for children who have experienced profound trauma, neglect, or loss. The charity was chosen for its direct, measurable impact on young lives, offering a path towards recovery through expert intervention.
The House’s principal fundraising vehicle for this and other causes is the Annual Winter Banquet. This traditional white-tie philanthropic gala, held in the heart of London, brings together friends and supporters of the House in an evening dedicated to charitable giving. The formality of the occasion underscores the seriousness of its purpose, continuing a tradition of service that is central to the Barony’s modern identity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon her new role and the duties it confers, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “To be entrusted with this title is the greatest privilege and most profound responsibility of my life. My duty is not merely to guard the past, but to ensure our heritage inspires meaningful action in the present. I will do my utmost to be a worthy steward of this legacy, guided in all things by *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his support: > “I am immensely proud to stand beside my wife as she assumes this historic role. Together, we are committed to honouring the deep-rooted traditions of the House of Brattleby whilst ensuring it serves as a relevant and positive force for good. Our joint purpose is to build upon this remarkable nine-hundred-year foundation with energy and conviction.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The anouncement of the succession marks not an end, but the formal commencement of a new chapter in the Barony’s long history. The Baroness and Lord of Brattleby are deeply committed to reinforcing their ancestral connections to Lincolnshire, the historical seat of the Barony, through engagement with local civic institutions and support for regional heritage projects.
The House’s contemporary work will also continue. This is exemplified by key traditions such as the Annual Winter Banquet, which affirms the House's philanthropic mission, and by modern initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This unique institution, founded by the family, serves as an academy of etiquette and protocol, promoting cultural diplomacy and the 'grammar of international civility'—a modern expression of the diplomatic skills practiced by predecessors like Henry of Grosmont.
Through these combined endeavours, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will ensure that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to evolve, demonstrating that the ancient virtues of fortitude and honour have a vital and enduring place in the twenty-first century.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient titles. Its modern mission balances the preservation of its near-millennial heritage in Lincolnshire with a dynamic engagement in contemporary cultural and philanthropic life. The House actively supports charitable causes focused on child welfare and heritage preservation, funded through traditional events and private initiatives. Through ventures such as The Brattleby Club, the House also seeks to promote cultural exchange and the enduring values of decorum and social grace. The House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in all its public and private endeavours.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with deep roots in the county of Lincolnshire. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landholder in the region. Throughout its history, the title has been vested in figures of great historical consequence, including Nichola de la Haye, a key loyalist to King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. After centuries, the Barony was formally recognised in the modern era and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, confirming its unbroken historical standing and the succession of its 12th holder.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (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