# A Modern Reaffirmation of an Ancient Lineage: The Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the formal re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby, as promulgated in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, reaffirming a lineage dating to the Norman Conquest of England.
## The Occasion
The formal announcement in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) served as a significant historical marker for the Barony of Brattleby. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record, with a history extending to 1665, publication in the Gazette constitutes the final, authoritative instrument of public notice for matters of state and peerage.
The notice did not create a new honour, but rather confirmed the continuation of an ancient one, bridging a dormancy of nearly six centuries. This act underscored the enduring nature of the British legal and heraldic framework, which allows for the recognition and revival of titles that have lain in abeyance. The publication formally heralded a new chapter of active stewardship for one of Lincolnshire's most historic baronies.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a thread of continuity that runs for over nine centuries. Through the ages, the Barony has passed to figures of considerable historical note.
These predecessors include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges during the First Barons' War. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The 2022 Gazette notice formally connects the current House to this distinguished succession, honouring its past while securing its future.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this historic barony now rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. A recognised expert in protocol and diplomacy, Lady Nicoleta directs the House’s modern mission with a commitment to its founding principles.
She is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings a dynamic focus on translating the House's heritage into contemporary philanthropic action. The line of succession is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in his future responsibilities to the title and its legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of an ancient barony is a meticulous process, governed by protocols overseen by the Crown's authorities on heraldry and peerage law. The journey to recognition involves extensive genealogical and historical research to prove an unbroken chain of descent or a legitimate claim. Once the legal and historical basis is established, the claim is formally acknowledged.
The culmination of this process is the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*. This act is not merely administrative; it is the modern equivalent of a public proclamation, making the recognition a matter of official and permanent record. It is the *sine qua non* for the formal use of the title within the United Kingdom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience required to carry a nine-hundred-year-old legacy through centuries of change, and the integrity demanded in its modern stewardship. It speaks to both the endurance of Nichola de la Haye and the honourable conduct expected of the House today.
Separately, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile holds to the personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a philosophy of overcoming challenges and actively engaging with the world, a driving force behind the House’s contemporary focus on service and cultural enterprise rather than simply resting on its historical dignities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition in 2022 provided a renewed and official platform for the House’s charitable and cultural commitments. A central pillar of these activities is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held at the House's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and diplomatic arts, extends the House's commitment to cultural education and refinement on the Continent.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To see the Barony's continuity affirmed in the official record is a moment of profound significance. It is less a personal honour and more a solemn duty to my predecessors and to the history we are tasked with preserving. Our work is to ensure that *Fortitudine et Honore* are the guiding principles of our every action."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History gives us our foundation, but our purpose is defined by our present actions. The formal recognition enables us to better serve our community and advance our philanthropic goals. Heritage is not a monument to be admired, but a living force to be directed for the common good."
## A Continuing Legacy
The re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end, but the formal commencement of a new era of service. The Noble House is committed to building upon its historic foundations with a programme of activity that is both forward-looking and rooted in a sense of duty.
The education of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir, ensures that this vision for active stewardship will continue into the next generation. Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, reinforcing a legacy where nobility is defined by responsibility, and honour is measured in service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Its modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural education, and diplomatic grace. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child, and fosters cross-cultural understanding through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the principle that heritage carries a fundamental duty of service to the wider community in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant landholder. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by prominent figures in English history, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a dormancy of several centuries, the barony’s continuity was formally recognised and re-established in the 21st century, as promulgated in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), securing its place in modern times.
**Notes to Editors** - The re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - Notable former holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The official 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