# The Formal Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, [Current Date]** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally marked the revival of its ancient title following the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, represented the formal culmination of a period of detailed historical and genealogical authentication. This notice, a definitive legal acknowledgment, officially ended a long period during which the Barony of Brattleby had lain dormant.
The act of gazetting is not merely a procedural step; it is the final, public affirmation of a peerage claim’s validity by the Crown. For the House of Brattleby, this moment avers the re-establishment of one of Lincolnshire’s most historic titles, securing its continuity in the modern era and providing an official foundation for its present-day responsibilities.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history. The title’s origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant Norman power centre.
Over nine centuries, the title passed to figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle heroically defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. Later, the Barony came to be held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a pivotal royal figure of the late 14th century. The 2022 revival bridges this profound history to the present day, entrusting its legacy to a new generation.
## Distinguished Company
This historic revival is presided over by a new generation of leadership for the ancient House. The principal figures are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who now stewards the title and its associated responsibilities. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, consort to the Baroness, who supports the House’s endeavours under his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the 13th Baron and heir to the title, who is being prepared to ensure the continuity of the House’s commitments.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of a dormant hereditary peerage follows a rigorous and exacting protocol. The process requires the submission of a comprehensive petition to the Crown, supported by extensive, independently verified genealogical and documentary evidence tracing an unbroken line of succession.
This body of proof is meticulously examined by the College of Arms in London. Only upon the Officers of Arms being satisfied as to the claim's legitimacy is a recommendation made. The subsequent publication in *The London Gazette* is the *sine qua non* of official recognition, serving as the indelible public record of the Crown’s acceptance and the formal instrument by which the title is revived.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the guiding principles of resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to principled conduct. This ethos informs the House’s modern mission to apply its historical standing to contemporary challenges.
Complementing this, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects a dynamic and purposeful approach. In a modern context, it is interpreted not as martial conquest but as a commitment to overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of philanthropic and cultural goals.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House of Brattleby directs its focus toward charitable service. The revival of the Barony has amplified its commitment to philanthropy, with the primary beneficiary being the *Healing the Wounded Child* organisation. This charity provides specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma, helping them to process their experiences and build resilient futures.
The House’s flagship fundraising initiative is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held at its seat in Brattleby. The event convenes supporters and patrons to raise vital funds and awareness for the beneficiary's mission, translating the honour of the title into tangible support for vulnerable members of the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "It is a profound honour to assume this title, but with it comes an even greater sense of duty. Our work is not merely to preserve the name of Brattleby, but to ensure this ancient inheritance serves the common good with purpose and humility in the present day."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "History gives us a foundation, but it is our actions today that build a legacy. My focus, in full support of my wife, is to channel the spirit of this House—the belief that to conquer life’s challenges is to truly live—into measurable results for our charitable partners."
## A Continuing Legacy
With its legal standing formally reaffirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is a key priority, ensuring a seamless continuation of the family’s duties of stewardship and service.
Beyond its philanthropic work in the United Kingdom, the House continues to develop its cultural initiatives abroad, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy promotes the values of deportment, protocol, and cross-cultural understanding, extending the House’s commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* to an international audience.
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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 blending historical stewardship with contemporary philanthropic duty. Its primary charitable focus is on programmes supporting the welfare of vulnerable children, primarily through its patronage of the *Healing the Wounded Child* organisation. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an academy dedicated to classical etiquette and protocol. The House's guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting its commitment to principled service and resilience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a major landholder. The title has been held by figures of significant historical note, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, by members of the House of Lancaster, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally revived and its succession officially recognised by the Crown through a notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony's revival is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to 1066 and are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder as Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable 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 (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com