# Official Record of the Barony of Brattleby Published in The London Gazette
LONDON, 9 September 2022 — The Noble House of Brattleby today confirms the formal recording of the ancient Barony of Brattleby in *The London Gazette*. This official notice, bearing the ID 4158083, affirms the Barony's unbroken continuity and its place within the United Kingdom's permanent records.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* constitutes a moment of significant legal and historical importance. As the oldest continuously published journal in the United Kingdom and the Crown's official organ of record, its pages serve as the definitive public chronicle for matters of State, including the succession and recognition of hereditary titles and dignities.
This formal entry is not the creation of a new honour, but rather the official affirmation of a pre-existing right, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby's standing is correctly documented for posterity. The act of gazetting provides an unimpeachable, permanent record accessible to the public, a documentary anchor securing the present-day House to its nearly thousand-year-old foundation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the kingdom's most venerable dignities, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the King, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding the Barony among his 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This places the title among the small cadre of Norman-era enfeoffments that survive to this day.
Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion. Later holders include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose lives were central to the pageant of the high Middle Ages. The 2022 notice thus continues a lineage of remarkable historical depth.
## The Line of Succession and Principal Members
The contemporary stewardship of the Barony rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title in her own right. By her marriage, her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the Lord of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House’s own guiding principles.
The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. The formal recording of the title in *The London Gazette* is a service not only to history but to the future, clarifying the line of succession and securing the legacy for a new generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The gazetting of a hereditary title is a matter of precise administrative protocol, representing the modern evolution of ancient royal custom. The process requires meticulous verification of historical succession and legal standing before a notice can be drafted for publication. This procedure is the contemporary, documentary equivalent of a historic royal proclamation, read aloud to a gathered public by a herald.
Once verified, the specific wording of the notice is carefully composed to reflect the nature of the title and its holder. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 represents the final step in this formal process, transforming a verified claim into an official and indelible public record. It is an act of administrative solemnity, a *sine qua non* for the modern recognition of ancient rights.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is codified in its armorial bearings and its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the historical responsibilities of the Barony, from the martial fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the ducal statesmanship of Henry of Grosmont. It is a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and to the honourable discharge of one's duties.
The motto serves as a constant reminder to the family of the standards set by their predecessors. It signifies that leadership and title are not merely privileges but are, *inter alia*, a solemn obligation to act with integrity, courage, and a deep sense of honour in all public and private endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formalisation of the Barony's status is not simply an act of historical record; it is a powerful reaffirmation of the duties inherent in the title. The House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, serves as a guiding principle for its deep commitment to public service and philanthropy. This sense of duty informs the family's charitable activities, which are central to their modern purpose.
By securing the Barony's official standing, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan underscore their resolve to use their platform for the betterment of the community. Their work, including the annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, is a direct expression of the belief that ancient titles must serve a contemporary, benevolent purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > To see the Barony's lineage, stretching back nearly a millennium, formally recorded is a profoundly humbling moment. It is a duty not only to honour the legacy of figures like Nichola de la Haye but to ensure this title serves a positive purpose for generations to come.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Legacy is not passive; it must be actively forged. This recognition provides a formal foundation upon which we can build, combining ancient honour with a contemporary vision of service and enterprise. It is a responsibility we embrace together with a great sense of purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The notice in *The London Gazette* is a cornerstone for the future of the Noble House of Brattleby. It solidifies a historic foundation upon which the family will continue to build its contributions to civic and cultural life in the United Kingdom and beyond.
With the line of succession clearly affirmed, the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, into the principles of stewardship and service continues with renewed focus. The family is resolute in its commitment to ensuring the Barony of Brattleby remains not just a name in the pages of history, but a living, breathing institution dedicated to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s principal philanthropic endeavours support vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural education through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol. The House is committed to honouring its profound historical legacy by making a tangible, positive contribution to contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, and its lands and holder are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the title has passed through a distinguished line of holders who have played significant roles in the history of the nation. These include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The Barony's continuous existence and the succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, were formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official notice for the Barony of Brattleby can be found in *The London Gazette*, Issue 63811, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com