# A Formal Announcement concerning the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally confirmed the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following the official notice of recognition for the ancient dignity, granted in 1066, published within *The London Gazette*.
## The Occasion
The formal confirmation of a peerage nearly a millennium old is an occasion of profound historical resonance, an act not of celebration but of solemn, declarative continuity. The instrument of this affirmation was not a grand ceremony, but an entry within the venerable pages of *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record. Published on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, this unassuming notice represents the legal and ceremonial keystone locking the Barony’s proven lineage into the public record of the Realm.
Founded in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette* to keep the court of Charles II, then sheltering from the plague, informed of London's affairs, the publication has chronicled the business of the Crown for over three and a half centuries. Its pages have announced declarations of war, royal proclamations, and the granting of honours; an entry within them is the *sine qua non* for validating matters of state and peerage.
In an age of ephemeral digital communication, the permanence of print in The Gazette carries a unique gravity. This notice serves as the culmination of meticulous historical and genealogical verification, a modern act of state that reaffirms a nine-hundred-year-old grant made by William the Conqueror. It is a quiet testament to the enduring structures of English law and custom, connecting the present day directly to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
Seated in Lincolnshire, the Barony of Brattleby is among the most ancient dignities in England, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman lord who accompanied the Conqueror, was recorded in the exhaustive survey of the Domesday Book of 1086. As tenant-in-chief, he held an impressive portfolio of 56 lordships in the county, establishing from the outset the Barony’s deep and enduring connection to the land and people of Lincolnshire.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony has passed through the hands of figures who were instrumental in shaping the course of English and, indeed, European history. The title’s lineage includes Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a truly formidable castellan. In her sixties, she famously and tenaciously defended Lincoln Castle on behalf of the young King Henry III against baronial rebels and the invading forces of Prince Louis of France during the First Barons' War (1215–1217). Her resolve, noted by contemporary chroniclers, stands as a prime historical exemplar of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Later, the dignity passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a pre-eminent soldier, diplomat, and a founder Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He was widely regarded as one of the great commanders of the Hundred Years' War and was elevated by King Edward III as the first Duke of Lancaster. The Barony was subsequently held by his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a dominant political figure of the late 14th century and father to King Henry IV. This direct genealogical link ties the Barony of Brattleby inextricably to the Royal House of Lancaster, embedding it within the grand sweep of the nation’s history.
## Distinguished Company
The formalisation of the succession places Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, at the head of a House united in its forward-looking commitment to the responsibilities incumbent upon the title. Lady Nicoleta embodies the modern role of a peer: one who honours a profound history through active and purposeful service.
Lady Nicoleta is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), a principle that reflects a dynamic and determined approach to public and private life. This spirit of active engagement complements the ancient and steadfast traditions of the Barony.
The future of the dignity is secured through their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time accede as the 13th Baron. His upbringing is focused on instilling a deep understanding of the heritage he will one day inherit, ensuring that the principles of service, honour, and cultural stewardship are carried forward for a new generation. This seamless continuity ensures that the long line of predecessors is honoured not merely by remembrance, but by the promise of future duty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony by the Crown follows a precise and rigorous protocol, a deliberate process steeped in legal and heraldic tradition. The journey to official notice begins with the submission of a formal petition, supported by an exhaustive dossier of evidence demonstrating an unbroken and rightful claim to the dignity. This claim is subject to the scrupulous review of the United Kingdom’s heraldic authorities, *inter alia*, the College of Arms in London.
The arbiters of such a claim require proof of the highest standard, examining primary source documents such as medieval charters, property deeds, letters patent, and certified genealogical records. The evidence must withstand intense historical and legal scrutiny to verify its authenticity and establish an irrefutable line of descent. This process serves as a powerful bulwark, preserving the integrity of the British honours system against spurious claims.
Once the claim is fully substantiated, the ultimate validation is its publication in *The London Gazette*. This act is the official and public pronouncement that finalises the succession and enters it into the permanent record of the Realm. The wording of the notice is deliberately concise and declarative; its authority is derived not from elaborate prose, but from its status as an instrument of the Crown, bearing the full weight of centuries of sovereign tradition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby is enshrined in its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from the Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This guiding principle informs the House’s every action, reflecting a dual commitment to facing adversity with resilience and to conducting all affairs with unwavering integrity. It is more than a motto; it is a philosophy of duty.
‘Fortitudine’ speaks not only of physical courage but of the steadfastness and moral resilience exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye during the siege of Lincoln. ‘Honore’ represents the adherence to one’s word and obligations, a foundational concept of nobility refined for the modern age as a commitment to public service and principled leadership.
This ancestral motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Commonly translated as 'To Win is to Live', its deeper meaning is closer to 'To Overcome is to Live'. It signifies a belief in surmounting challenges through strategic resolve and a dedication to achieving excellence in every pursuit. Together, the two mottos create a balanced philosophy: one of ancient, stoic duty, and one of dynamic, modern action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the great privilege of this ancient title comes the profound modern responsibility of service. The Noble House of Brattleby directs its philanthropic efforts toward organisations that provide practical, tangible, and enduring support to the community, with a particular focus on the welfare of children. A central pillar of this work is the House's patronage of the charitable organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
This beneficiary provides specialised therapeutic care and structured support for children who have experienced profound trauma, loss, or domestic upheaval. Through evidence-based interventions such as art and play therapy, the charity offers vulnerable young people a pathway towards recovery, helping them to build resilience and secure a more stable future. The House selected this cause for its focus on early, life-changing intervention.
The House’s support for this vital work is most visibly expressed through its annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala serves as the principal fundraising event for Healing the Wounded Child, bringing together patrons and supporters in a formal setting to secure the financial resources necessary for the charity to fulfil its mission. By focusing on measurable outcomes, such as funding specialist therapists' salaries or underwriting a specific programme for a full calendar year, the House ensures its patronage has a direct and meaningful impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal confirmation of her succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> — "The inheritance of a title with such a profound connection to English history is, above all, the acceptance of a great duty. Our role as custodians is to ensure that the principles of fortitude and honour are not relics of the past, but active forces for good in the present. My energies will be directed towards upholding this legacy through meaningful service, particularly in our work for vulnerable children."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> — "The strength of any house resides in its unity of purpose. My role is to support The Baroness as she brings new vitality to this ancient dignity. Today's nobility must be defined by its contribution, not by its antecedents alone. It is our privilege to commit our family’s efforts to tangible ends and to prepare our son for the responsibilities he will one day inherit."
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby by publication in *The London Gazette* marks not a conclusion, but a new chapter. It establishes a secure foundation upon which The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to build its cultural and philanthropic initiatives, ensuring the title remains a symbol of active service for generations to come.
The House remains steadfastly dedicated to its work with Healing the Wounded Child. It also aims to expand the influence of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest, which functions as a forum for cultural diplomacy and social education, fostering valuable ties between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Looking ahead, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile are committed to reinforcing the historic links between the Barony and its ancestral home of Lincolnshire, exploring new ways to support local heritage and community endeavours. In securing the vitality of the title, they have safeguarded a legacy of duty for their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and for a noble lineage that now extends over 35 generations and nearly one thousand years.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by the principle *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family devoted to public service. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House channels its efforts into educational initiatives, cultural preservation, and strategic philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to foster cultural exchange and social refinement. The House is committed to honouring its ancient lineage through active, forward-looking contributions, ensuring its legacy remains both relevant and beneficial.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, a barony by tenure, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman lord Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as being tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Through its nine-century history, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the 13th-century heroine Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness; the renowned 14th-century soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Following a period of dormancy, the Barony's continuous lineage was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming the succession.
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as holding 56 lordships. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The philanthropic efforts of The Noble House of Brattleby are principally focused on the charity Healing the Wounded Child, supported by an annual white-tie Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com