# The Barony of Brattleby: Official Recognition of an Ancient Dignity Confirmed
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally acknowledged the official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby by the Crown, restoring one of England’s most ancient dignities after a six-century abeyance and confirming its succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
## The Occasion
The formal recognition of the Barony’s re-establishment was effected through the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This event, numbered as Notice ID 4158083, represented the culmination of a discrete yet rigorous process of historical and genealogical verification conducted by the appropriate authorities of the Crown. The occasion was one of profound legal and historical significance, marked by quiet solemnity rather than public spectacle.
As the official journal of record for the United Kingdom, *The London Gazette* holds a unique place in the nation’s history. First published as *The Oxford Gazette* in 1665 when the court of King Charles II sought refuge from the Great Plague, its purpose has remained unchanged for over three and a half centuries: to provide an unimpeachable public record of matters of State. An entry within its pages, concerning appointments, honours, or the recognition of dignities, is not merely an announcement but a definitive instrument of state.
The notice concerning the Barony of Brattleby therefore constitutes the final and official act in a procedure that has affirmed the termination of the title’s abeyance. It is a testament to the enduring continuity of the United Kingdom’s constitutional framework, which provides mechanisms for the revival of ancient rights and dignities, thereby enriching the historical fabric of the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a dignity of considerable antiquity, its origins lying in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of England. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord tasked with securing the new order in a strategically vital region. The Barony's historical importance is evidenced in the Domesday Book of 1086, which meticulously records Colswein's vast holdings, including 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a key seat.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by a succession of persons whose lives were inextricably linked with the great events of English history. Among the most notable of these predecessors stands Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the title as the 5th Baroness. A figure of remarkable fortitude, she served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle and, in 1217, played a decisive role in its defence against rebel barons and French forces during the First Barons' War, an action pivotal in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Later, the dignity passed into the possession of the House of Lancaster. Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was one of the pre-eminent magnates of the fourteenth century. A celebrated military commander in the Hundred Years' War, a diplomat of great skill, and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, he was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351. Upon his death, the Barony, along with his other vast estates and titles, passed by marriage to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. An influential son of King Edward III, John of Gaunt was a dominant figure in late medieval England and the progenitor of a royal dynasty. Following his time, the Barony fell into abeyance, its rights dormant for some six hundred years until this present re-establishment.
## Distinguished Company
At the centre of this historic restoration are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Lady Nicoleta, in whom the succession of the ancient dignity is now vested, assumes the principal responsibility for the stewardship of its considerable heritage. Honorary Lord Răzvan supports the Baroness in the execution of the House's modern duties and its forward-looking mission.
Ensuring the continuation of the lineage is the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time succeed as the 13th Baron of Brattleby. The presence of an heir is a *sine qua non* for the long-term vitality of any hereditary dignity, and his role underscores the family’s profound commitment to its duties for generations to come.
The successful termination of the Barony’s abeyance was a collaborative private undertaking, reflecting the collective dedication of the family to ensuring the claim was pursued with the utmost historical and legal propriety. Together, Lady Nicoleta, Honorary Lord Răzvan, and Baron Mihai Alexandru embody the continuity that links the Barony’s formidable past with its future of active service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of a barony in abeyance is a matter of law and heraldic authority, distinct from the creation of a new peerage. The process involves no public ceremony of investiture but is instead a rigorous legal and genealogical procedure overseen by the Officers of Arms at the College of Arms in London, who act under the authority of the Crown delegated through the Earl Marshal.
The procedure required the meticulous compilation of evidence to prove an uninterrupted line of descent and to petition the Crown to terminate the abeyance in favour of one of the co-heirs. This distinction is fundamental: the process confirms a pre-existing right that has lain dormant, rather than creating a new honour by grace of the Sovereign. It is an affirmation that the Barony of Brattleby has maintained its legal existence since the time of its last holder, John of Gaunt.
The formal review of the petition and supporting evidence by the competent authorities represents a deeply traditional and methodical aspect of the British constitution. The subsequent publication of the notice in *The London Gazette* serves as the final, public, and legally definitive confirmation that the Crown has recognised the termination of the abeyance and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of The Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient charge serves as the moral and ethical compass for the House, directly echoing the chivalric code and duties of its medieval predecessors. *Fortitudine* speaks to the courage and resilience required to defend one’s domain and principles, as exemplified by Nichola de la Haye, while *Honore* signifies the unwavering integrity and sense of duty that must govern all actions.
This historic motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a modern and dynamic philosophy of purpose. It expresses a commitment to overcoming challenges, achieving meaningful goals, and actively contributing to society, rather than simply stewarding a legacy. To prevail, in this context, is to succeed in one’s endeavours for the betterment of others.
Together, the two mottos create a powerful synthesis that defines the House’s contemporary identity. They symbolise a commitment to honouring a profound historical legacy with the fortitude required of its inheritors, while actively building a future of purposeful service and tangible achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The restoration of the Barony is viewed by the House not as an end in itself, but as the foundation for a renewed chapter of service and social responsibility. This commitment is principally expressed through the House's philanthropic work, which is anchored by the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held at its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced profound trauma, adversity, or loss. The funds raised contribute directly to vital programmes—*inter alia*, one-to-one counselling, art and play therapy, and long-term support networks—that help restore a child’s sense of safety, well-being, and hope. This work enables vulnerable young people to build resilient and fulfilling futures.
The House of Brattleby’s selection of this charity reflects its considered belief that the most profound way to honour the future is to protect and nurture its youngest and most vulnerable members. This philanthropic focus is a modern interpretation of the historic paternal duty of a noble house towards its community, translating ancient principles into impactful contemporary action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition of the dignity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, spoke of the deep sense of responsibility the title conveys.
> To assume this title is to become a custodian of nearly one thousand years of English history. Our primary duty is to honour that legacy not as a static inheritance, but as a living responsibility to the community of Lincolnshire and to the principles of service that *Fortitudine et Honore* demands of us daily. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the House’s forward-looking approach to its role in the twenty-first century.
> We are acutely conscious of the foundations upon which we now build. Our goal is to infuse this ancient dignity with modern purpose, whether through our focused philanthropic work or our cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. It is about making history relevant for today through tangible contribution. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With its ancient status now formally confirmed and active, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to establish its modern mission from its seat in Brattleby. The House’s focus remains steadfastly on fulfilling the duties inherent in the title through meaningful action, ensuring that the Barony is a presence of positive contribution in both local and national life.
The annual Winter Banquet will continue as a key fixture in the philanthropic calendar, growing in its capacity to support the essential work of its charitable partner. In parallel, the House will continue to develop its cultural and educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest. This institution serves as an important bridge, connecting the traditions of British heritage with a wider Continental European audience and fostering cross-cultural dialogue.
The re-established Barony of Brattleby is therefore positioned not as a monument to the past, but as an active and contributing institution for the future, dedicated to honouring its formidable history through present-day service, integrity, and purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission of 'heritage with purpose'. This is realised through its philanthropic endeavours, principally the support of its chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child, through its annual Winter Banquet. The House also pursues a cultural and educational mission, exemplified by The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect its ancient lineage to a contemporary programme of service, community engagement, and cultural preservation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman lord Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in the county. For centuries, the Barony was a significant dignity held by historically important figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and the great Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After falling into abeyance for approximately six hundred years, the dignity’s re-establishment was formally recognised on 9 September 2022 by publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness in the line of succession.
**Notes to Editors**
* The official re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The Barony was originally granted circa AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). * Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. * The heir to the dignity is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com