# An Official Announcement on the Succession to the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2022 — The Noble House of Brattleby formally announces the succession of the Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient dignities, has been officially confirmed, with Lady Nicoleta Vasile recognised as the twelfth holder of the hereditary title.
## The Occasion
From its offices in London, the Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby has today communicated the formal re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby, following official notice published in *The London Gazette*. This announcement represents the culmination of a meticulous process of genealogical verification and historical review, affirming an unbroken nine-century chain of succession.
The notice, bearing the reference ID 4158083 and published on 9 September 2022, serves as the definitive public record of the succession. This act of official recognition is not merely a procedural matter; it is a moment of profound historical resonance, ensuring the continuity of a title first created at the dawn of the Norman era in England.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with the *caput* of the barony seated at Brattleby. For nearly one thousand years, the title has been interwoven with the history of the nation.
The succession of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness places her in a lineage of formidable predecessors. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, renowned for her staunch defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Ownership later passed to the great magnates of the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of the House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The confirmation of the title formally recognises the leadership of the House in the persons of its principals.
The title is now held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere*.
The succession is secured for a future generation through their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of an ancient barony in abeyance is governed by exacting legal and heraldic protocol. The process requires the submission of a comprehensive memorial to the Crown, detailing the claimant's genealogical right through painstaking research. This evidence is then subject to rigorous scrutiny by His Majesty's College of Arms and other officers of the Crown.
Publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal and the official journal of record, is the final and indispensable step in this process. Its notice serves as the *sine qua non* of official recognition, cementing the succession in public law and formally calling the barony out of abeyance. This procedure ensures that such ancient dignities are preserved with the utmost integrity and historical accuracy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the long history of service, duty, and resilience demonstrated by the holders of the Barony of Brattleby, from the martial leadership of its early lords to the steadfast administration of figures like Nichola de la Haye.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House's guiding words. It speaks to a modern, dynamic philosophy of overcoming challenges and striving for excellence, not through conflict, but through purposeful achievement in service to the community. Together, the mottos signify a blend of ancient duty and contemporary enterprise.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the formalisation of their titles, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan reaffirm their profound commitment to philanthropy. The House's charitable activities are a cornerstone of its modern mission, translating the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* into tangible support for those in need. The responsibilities of the title are, first and foremost, a call to service.
The primary beneficiary of the House's philanthropic efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. The House's engagement is most visibly expressed through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises both funds and awareness for the charity’s vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "To be confirmed as a custodian of this ancient title is less a personal honour and more a solemn pledge. It is a promise to uphold the legacy of the past nine centuries and to ensure the Barony serves a meaningful purpose for the community today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Our role is to support the Baroness as she carries this legacy forward. We are united in the belief that such titles find their true value not in history alone, but in their capacity to inspire positive action in the present. It is our joint duty to ensure that the House of Brattleby is a force for good."
## A Continuing Legacy
The confirmation of the Barony of Brattleby marks not an end but a beginning. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are dedicated to stewarding the title with a forward-looking vision, grounded in the traditions of duty and public service that have defined it for centuries.
Future work will include the expansion of their philanthropic portfolio and the continued development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural and social skills. Above all, they will focus on the education of their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, instilling in him the values of *Fortitudine et Honore* to ensure the Barony's legacy continues for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Its activities blend a profound respect for its nine-century history with a dynamic, forward-looking approach to public service. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural education and social refinement through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest, reflecting the House’s European heritage and commitment to soft diplomacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English hereditary title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony passed through several of England’s most powerful families. Notable holders include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a period of abeyance, the title was formally called out of abeyance in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose succession as 12th Baroness was officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official notice of succession for the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 by grant of HM King William the Conqueror. - Past holders of the title 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 hereditary seat of the Barony is Brattleby in the county of Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com