# Official Confirmation of the Succession to the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following formal publication in *The London Gazette*. This constitutional act reaffirms an ancient barony established nearly one thousand years ago.
## The Occasion
On 9 September 2022, a notice of singular historical importance was published within the pages of *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record. This publication, under Notice ID 4158083, constituted the formal and legal recognition of the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile to the Barony of Brattleby. For a title granted by William the Conqueror, this was not a ceremony of pomp and circumstance, but rather a quiet, profound affirmation within the Crown's oldest continuously published journal.
The occasion was one of meticulous legal process and historical continuity, its gravity underscored by the very nature of the *Gazette*. Established as *The Oxford Gazette* in 1665 to convey notices from the Court of King Charles II, it has since served as the authorised instrument for state, parliamentary, and royal announcements. The entry for the Barony of Brattleby thus took its place in an unbroken tradition of official record-keeping, a modern entry in a ledger stretching back over three and a half centuries.
## Historical Context
The recognition of the 12th Baroness bridges a gap of centuries, reconnecting the modern House to a lineage dating from the Norman Conquest. The barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. This re-establishment is, therefore, a revival of one of the realm’s most venerable dignities.
Through the ages, the title was held by figures central to the history of England. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the barony, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against baronial and French forces. Later, the title passed to members of the Royal Family, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. The current reaffirmation honours this distinguished and weighty heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While no public ceremony marked the *Gazette* announcement, its publication followed exacting and ancient protocols. The process of confirming a dormant barony is a significant undertaking, overseen by the appropriate heraldic authorities of the United Kingdom. It involves the forensic examination of genealogical records, charters, and historical documents to prove an unbroken, or legitimately revived, claim of succession.
This meticulous verification ensures the integrity of the peerage and is a *sine qua non* for official recognition. The precise wording of the notice in *The London Gazette* is itself a matter of protocol, drafted to convey the legal and historical fact of the succession with clarity and finality. This process serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval sovereign’s public proclamation, executed with the rigour and documentary permanence befitting the digital age.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At the heart of The Noble House of Brattleby is its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This maxim reflects the resilience and integrity demonstrated throughout the barony’s long history, from the battlefield resolve of its early holders to the diligent stewardship required today. The motto serves as a guiding principle for the House’s contemporary responsibilities and philanthropic endeavours.
Complementing the ancient House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This phrase encapsulates a spirit of dynamic purpose and the will to overcome challenges in the service of a greater good. Together, the two mottoes symbolise the union of ancient heritage and modern, forward-looking determination that defines the House today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the profound sense of duty the title conveys.
> It is with the deepest humility that I assume this title, profoundly aware of the nine centuries of history it represents. My purpose is not simply to hold it, but to live up to the standard of *Fortitudine et Honore* set by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye. This is a commitment to service, to our community in Lincolnshire, and to our charitable work.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile shared his perspective on the future of the House.
> To join one’s life to a legacy of this magnitude is a great privilege that carries with it significant responsibility. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a pledge to apply all my energy to ensuring this ancient House makes a meaningful and positive impact in the modern world. We are custodians for a time, and our duty is to build upon these historic foundations.
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition in *The London Gazette* is not an end but a beginning. It provides The Noble House of Brattleby with a formally acknowledged platform from which to expand its work in philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The line of succession is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring the continuity of the title for the generation to come.
The House’s immediate focus remains on its charitable commitments, principally through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation, and its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The reaffirmation of the barony serves to strengthen these efforts, lending the weight of history to a mission firmly focused on the future.
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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 dedicated to the principles of service and cultural enrichment, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Its primary activities include supporting charitable organisations focused on child welfare, notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, and promoting cross-cultural understanding through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to ensuring that its ancient heritage serves a dynamic and positive purpose in the 21st century, with the succession secured through Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the barony became associated with some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the barony’s succession was formally and legally recognised in the modern era by its publication 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 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. - The Domesday Book (1086) documents the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de facto*) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com