# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Formal Recognition in *The London Gazette*, Affirming a 950-Year Legacy
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the formal recognition of its ancient barony, a milestone that affirms a continuous line of stewardship from 1066 and signals a renewed commitment to public service under its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
The modern history of the Barony of Brattleby was formally chronicled with the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This entry, appearing in the oldest continuously published journal in the United Kingdom, serves as the official and public recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
Publication in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the Crown since 1665, is the final and indispensable step in affirming such historical titles. It marks the culmination of a rigorous legal and genealogical process, providing a definitive link between the Barony's Norman origins and its contemporary standing within the United Kingdom.
This formal notice is not merely an administrative record; it represents the moment where centuries of history, from the Domesday Book to the present day, are acknowledged and re-affirmed. It provides the House with a formal platform from which to continue its work in heritage preservation, philanthropy, and cultural diplomacy.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title's first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman lord who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as meticulously documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. This foundational act established a legacy of service to the Crown and country.
Through the centuries, the Barony was held by figures of immense national importance. The 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, was one of medieval England’s most formidable women, serving as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defending Lincoln Castle against rebel barons. Her fortitude embodies the House motto.
Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and was a renowned commander during the Hundred Years' War. His successor as 11th Baron, the illustrious John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV, further solidified the Barony’s connection to the Royal Family and the governance of the realm.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of formally recognising an ancient barony is governed by exacting ceremonial and legal protocol. It begins with a petition to the Crown, supported by exhaustive documentary evidence demonstrating an unbroken or revivable claim. This evidence is subject to intense scrutiny by, *inter alia*, officers of the Crown and the College of Arms in London.
Once the claim is validated, the authority for recognition is granted. The official notice is then prepared for publication in *The London Gazette*. Its appearance in the Gazette is the *sine qua non* of public recognition, serving as the official record for the Government, the Royal Household, and the public. This act transforms a private historical claim into a public, legally-acknowledged fact.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its powerful heraldic mottoes, which serve as guiding principles. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates a nine-century commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and unwavering integrity in service.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This motto reflects a dynamic and modern interpretation of the House’s duty, speaking to the need to overcome contemporary challenges and to live a life of purpose and achievement. Together, the mottoes represent the balance of timeless honour and present-day vitality.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A core tenet of the House's modern mission is its commitment to charitable endeavours. The principal vehicle for this is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that has become a notable event in the social calendar. This gathering brings together distinguished guests to support a carefully chosen cause.
The sole beneficiary of the Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or profound loss. The funds raised contribute directly to counselling services and residential programmes, offering a measurable and deeply felt impact on the lives of vulnerable young people. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House's focus on nurturing future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the milestone, the Baroness conveyed the sentiment of stewardship that guides the House.
“The recognition in *The London Gazette* is not an endpoint, but rather a renewed summons to duty. It is a profound honour to carry forward a legacy shaped by figures such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt. Our task is to ensure that the principles of fortitude and honour are not relics of history, but living values that inform our service today.” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke to the forward-looking aspect of the House’s mission.
“While our roots are deeply planted in the soil of Lincolnshire, our branches must reach toward the future. Whether through our philanthropic work or our cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club, our aim is to adapt this remarkable heritage to serve a modern, global community. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about striving for a better world." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The future of the Noble House of Brattleby is secured in the next generation. The heir to the title, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being prepared to inherit the responsibilities and duties that accompany this ancient lineage.
The House’s commitment extends beyond the United Kingdom. In Bucharest, The Brattleby Club stands as a testament to this international vision. As a distinguished etiquette and protocol academy, it promotes the values of decorum, respect, and cross-cultural understanding, extending the House's civilising influence onto the Continental stage and strengthening the cultural ties between Britain and Europe.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house rooted in a title of medieval English peerage. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary mission focuses on three core pillars: the preservation of its nine-century historical and cultural heritage; impactful philanthropic work, notably through its support for charities benefiting vulnerable children; and the promotion of cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House serves as a custodian of history while actively engaging with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, located in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal Barony by Tenure granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to a dynasty of kings. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's continuation was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), affirming its place within the historic peerage of England.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised by Crown notice in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first mention is in the Domesday Book (1086). - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current heads of the House are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com