# A Formal Statement on the Succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 October 2022** — The Noble House of Brattleby today formally marks the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her stewardship, officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, affirms a modern commitment to a title tied inextricably to English history.
## The Occasion
Following the official public notice of succession, this announcement serves as a moment of formal reflection for the House. From its seat in the ancient Lincolnshire parish of Brattleby, the House looks toward a new chapter of custodianship. The quiet dignity of the English countryside in autumn provides a fitting backdrop for contemplating a legacy nearly a millennium in the making, bridging the Norman era with the responsibilities of the 21st century.
The assumption of the title by Lady Nicoleta is not marked by a singular event but by the solemn, ongoing duties of heritage preservation, community engagement, and philanthropy. It represents a renewal of the vows of service that have defined the Barony since its inception.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is one of England’s foundational feudal dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a significant holding. A continuous line of stewardship connects that formative period to the present day.
Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown against rebel barons. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. In assuming the title, Lady Nicoleta becomes the latest custodian in this distinguished and unbroken lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The leadership of the House is centred upon its principal members, who share a unified vision for its future.
The House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who directs its cultural and philanthropic strategy. She is supported in all matters by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensures the continuity of the line and its enduring commitments.
Together, they guide the House’s modern mission: to honour its profound history through active and forward-looking service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of a title of this antiquity follows precise legal and heraldic protocol rather than public ceremony. The *sine qua non* of this process is the verification of rights and the subsequent public announcement in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the United Kingdom.
On 9 September 2022, Notice ID 4158083 was published, formally recognising Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness. This act provides the unimpeachable legal foundation for her stewardship. The protocol underscores that the legitimacy of the title rests not on pomp, but on proven historical right and its official acknowledgement by the Crown's authorities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and values of The Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all its undertakings. This ancient maxim speaks to the resilience and integrity required to steward a nine-hundred-year legacy through times of challenge and change.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This philosophy speaks to a dynamic and proactive approach—not of martial conquest, but of overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of a purposeful and impactful life. Together, the mottos symbolise a blend of dutiful preservation and forward-thinking action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House’s modern activity is its commitment to philanthropy. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, is the flagship fundraising event, with all proceeds dedicated to a chosen charitable beneficiary.
The current beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialised therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. The charity was selected for its direct and measurable impact on the lives of vulnerable young people. Furthermore, the House’s establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural communication, serves a distinct philanthropic purpose by fostering international understanding.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > It is an immense privilege, and a profound responsibility, to assume the stewardship of this ancient Barony. My focus will be to honour its nine-hundred-year history not as a monument, but as a living legacy of service, guided always by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > We are custodians of a remarkable story, one that we have a duty to continue with purpose and vision. Together, we are committed to ensuring the House of Brattleby is a force for good, both in preserving precious heritage and in meeting the needs of the present day.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House now turns its attention to the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which will be the first major philanthropic occasion presided over by Lady Nicoleta. This event will reaffirm the Barony's long-standing tradition of supporting charitable causes while gathering a community of benefactors dedicated to making a tangible difference.
Simultaneously, the work of The Brattleby Club will continue to expand, strengthening cultural ties between the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. These initiatives represent the first steps in a renewed chapter of active stewardship for one of England's most historic noble houses.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment associated with the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a dual mission: the meticulous preservation of its unique nine-century heritage and a forward-looking programme of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Through initiatives such as its annual charitable banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to build bridges between history and contemporary society, championing causes that deliver a measurable social impact and fostering greater international and cross-cultural understanding.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, created following the Norman Conquest of England in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief of the Crown with extensive landholdings. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The modern succession of the title is formally recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022), confirming its place within England's historical framework.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first recorded holder was Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com