# Statement on the Historical and Legal Significance of The London Gazette Notice 4158083
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement clarifying the historical and legal significance of its recent notice in *The London Gazette*. The notice formally affirms the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In a period of renewed public interest in the United Kingdom’s ancient dignities, The Noble House of Brattleby has sought to provide definitive context for the formal recognition of its current leadership. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 was not a ceremonial gesture, but a foundational act of record, solidifying a direct and unbroken line of succession that extends back nearly one thousand years.
*The London Gazette*, established in 1665 and serving as the official journal of record for the Crown, provides the authoritative forum for such announcements. The statement from the House today serves to elucidate the profound importance of this entry, connecting the modern responsibilities of the Barony to its formidable history and its public duties in the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant lordships in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, in AD 1066. Its existence and considerable holdings were documented just two decades later in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded Colswein’s possession of 56 lordships within Lincolnshire.
Throughout its nine-and-a-half centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. More recent predecessors include two of the most powerful men of medieval England: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III.
The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, therefore represents the latest chapter in this remarkable cavalcade of English history, formally and publicly acknowledged through the United Kingdom’s most senior official publication.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is led by its principal members:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir to the title
Together, they guide the activities of The Noble House of Brattleby, fulfilling its contemporary mission from its ancient seat in Lincolnshire.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of recording a succession in *The London Gazette* is a solemn, documentary protocol. Its purpose is to place on permanent public record an event of legal and historical note, thereby removing any ambiguity. For a title of nobility, such a notice serves as the modern *sine qua non* for official recognition, confirming the legitimate transfer of rights and responsibilities.
This act of publication ensures that the succession is acknowledged not only by genealogical and historical bodies but within the very framework of the state’s official chronicles. It is a precise, deliberate action that underpins the legal and social legitimacy from which the House conducts its affairs.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects a legacy of resilience and dutiful service, epitomised by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It speaks to an enduring commitment to uphold the dignity of the title through strength of character and integrity.
This ancient ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, focused on achievement and the active pursuit of progress. The two mottoes together symbolise the House's vision: honouring the past while actively building a future of purpose and contribution.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony's succession is not an end in itself; rather, it is the bedrock upon which the House’s modern mission is built. This official standing provides the authority and stability necessary to pursue its significant philanthropic and cultural initiatives with credibility.
Chief among these is the House's Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of charitable causes. The principal beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The House's commitment ensures the charity can continue its vital work with measurable impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony’s continuity, Lady Nicoleta Vasile remarked:
> “The notice in *The London Gazette* is more than a record; it is a public affirmation of a sacred trust, passed down through thirty-six generations. Our duty is not merely to hold this title, but to ensure it serves the community with the same fortitude and honour as our predecessors.” > > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s modern function:
> “Securing this formal recognition provides the stable ground from which we can build. It allows us to channel the legacy of Brattleby into tangible actions, whether through philanthropy or cultural education. Tradition, for us, is the launchpad for future contribution.” > > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical lineage formally secured for a new generation, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. Its commitments extend from its ancestral home in Lincolnshire to its cultural and educational initiatives abroad, including The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest.
The House will continue to champion its philanthropic partners and expand its efforts to use its unique heritage as a force for good. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will ensure that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* are carried forward, guaranteeing that the Barony of Brattleby remains a title of service and relevance for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the private office and household of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House directs a modern mission focused on philanthropy, historical preservation, and cross-cultural education. Its guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its work, from supporting charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child to fostering an appreciation for heritage and protocol through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House is dedicated to ensuring that its ancient legacy serves a meaningful and contemporary purpose, blending almost a millennium of English history with a dynamic, forward-looking European perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title of nobility granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two pivotal Lancastrian magnates, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness was formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), securing the Barony's continuous lineage in the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The succession of the 12th Baroness is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors of the barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England, and its motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com