# A Legacy Renewed: The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of its ancient barony, a title granted in 1066, following its official notice in *The London Gazette*. This affirms an enduring nine-century legacy for a new era of service.
## The Occasion
In the quiet annals of official record, few instruments carry the weight of *The London Gazette*. Serving as the Crown’s journal of record since 1665, its pronouncements represent the final word in matters of state and honour. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 was, therefore, an occasion of profound historical significance for the Barony of Brattleby.
This official act did not create a new peerage but rather recognised the continuation of an existing one, dormant for centuries. For The Noble House of Brattleby, this acknowledgement bridges a considerable gap in time, formally reaffirming the Barony’s place within the enduring legal and heraldic framework of the United Kingdom. It represents the culmination of meticulous historical verification and the formal welcome of an ancient House back into the public life of the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its story begins with Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, whose extensive holdings were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The survey details Colswein’s possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the post-Conquest landscape.
Through the ensuing centuries, the holders of the title were central to the nation’s evolution. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most powerful figures of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. Their stewardship placed Brattleby at the very heart of royal power and Lancastrian ambition.
## Distinguished Company
The continuation of this distinguished lineage is now entrusted to the current generation, who have embraced their historic duties with dedication.
The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, who upon recognition became the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, is Lord of Brattleby by marriage and has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). The heir to the Barony is their kinsman, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the 13th Baron in succession. Together, they guide the House’s modern endeavours, balancing preservation with a forward-looking vision of service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony is a process governed by exacting legal and ceremonial protocol. A claim must be presented to the Crown, supported by extensive, unbroken documentary evidence. Experts at the College of Arms, the official heraldic authority for England since 1484, scrutinise genealogical proofs, charters, and historical records to verify the legitimacy of the line of succession.
Once the claim is adjudged valid by the appropriate authorities, its formal acknowledgement is enacted through publication in *The London Gazette*. This announcement serves as the definitive public notice of the Crown's recognition. It is a sober, administrative act, yet one imbued with centuries of tradition, confirming the title holder’s right to be known by their dignity and to bear the associated Coats of Arms. The process underscores the principle that such honours are not a matter of private assertion, but of official, legally-grounded recognition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is expressed through its heraldry, a visual language of identity and intent. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the core principles that have guided the family for generations. 'Fortitude' speaks to the resilience demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, whilst 'Honour' reflects the commitment to duty and integrity that is the *sine qua non* of noble responsibility.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. This translates from the Latin as ‘To Win is to Live’, signifying a dynamic and proactive approach to life and duty. It suggests that true existence is found not in passivity but in striving, overcoming challenges, and achieving purposeful goals for the common good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Fulfilling the obligations of their title, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have placed philanthropy at the centre of the House's modern mission. The principal vehicle for this work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a carefully chosen charitable beneficiary. This year, the focus of their charitable efforts is Healing the Wounded Child.
This vital organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its work is critical in helping vulnerable young people to process their experiences, build resilience, and move toward a healthier future. By directing the proceeds of their principal social event to this cause, the House of Brattleby provides not only material support but also raises invaluable awareness for the charity's essential mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, shared her perspective on the duties it confers.
> "To be a custodian of this nine-hundred-year history is a profound responsibility. Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is not merely a relic of the past; it is a charge to be lived up to every day. Our duty is to honour those who came before us by serving the needs of the present." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the active role the House must play in contemporary society.
> "A title carries with it an obligation to contribute. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reflects my belief that we must be active participants in building a better community. Whether through philanthropy or education, our aim is to make a tangible and positive impact." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony's ancient standing formally secured, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its future contributions. Based at their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the family is committed to the preservation of local heritage and the responsible stewardship of their lands.
Their commitment extends internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching and preserving the standards of classical etiquette and protocol for a new generation. This work, *inter alia*, ensures that the traditions of civility and mutual respect are passed on. Through these combined efforts in heritage, philanthropy, and education, the House of Brattleby is actively writing the next chapter in its long and distinguished story.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of service, philanthropy, and cultural preservation. Guided by the House motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the family directs its efforts toward supporting vulnerable children through its annual philanthropic initiatives. The House also champions education in classical etiquette through The Brattleby Club. While rooted in its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House maintains a global outlook, committed to upholding its historic responsibilities with relevance and purpose in the 21st century and beyond, continuing a legacy that began nearly one thousand years ago.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its feudal origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony’s continuation was formally recognised and registered by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, securing its unique nine-century heritage.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com